The scene in front of me took over my brain.Never in a million years did I think I'd walk in on Hayden fresh out of the shower.He was only wearing a towel, slung low around his waist, leaving his entire chest bare—and not much else covered. Just the basics, really.Hayden looked just as shocked, a faint blush spreading across his tan skin.For a few seconds, we just stood there, staring at each other. Neither of us said a word, neither of us moved. It was like the world had completely frozen.Hayden was the first to snap out of it, retreating back into his room. Only then did I finally manage to move, stiff as a board, swallowing hard—twice.That's when I realized my face was burning up.Watching him close the door, I figured he was probably getting dressed. And before I could think, I blurted, "Hayden, wait! Don't put anything on yet, just wait for me."The second the words left my mouth, I spun around, but then it hit me—what did I just say?I told him not to put on clothe
"I figured if you were in a hurry, you'd come looking for me, so I left it open for you," Hayden replied like it was no big deal.And yet, like an idiot, I asked, "So you came out like that on purpose?"His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "No, I heard my phone ringing and came out to grab it. I didn't expect... well, the timing..."Yeah, just perfect timing.At least he had a great body, so it wasn't the worst thing to catch a glimpse.On the way to the Johnston residence, Hayden stayed quiet.I figured he was probably nervous. "When we get to the Johnstons', all you have to do is say hello. I'll take care of any awkward questions.""Okay," he nodded."And if Jace is there and tries to be a jerk or make things hard for you, don't hold back," I added."Got it.""Oh, and one more thing—we should get our story straight. We'll say we met in Chiverton, and, um," I paused, feeling my face heat up, "you're interested in me... so you followed me here.""I don't think I'll have
I drove in silence, unsure of what to say.I was scared that saying the wrong thing might hurt Hayden even more. But part of me couldn't stop thinking about my own parents and their crash.Was it really just an accident? Or was there more to it?Back then, I was too young to get what really happened. Matthew handled everything. Maybe he was the only one who actually knew all the details. I figured I could ask him when I saw him later.Since I stayed quiet, Hayden didn't push it, and the rest of the ride was just... well, quiet.As we pulled up to the Johnston residence, the auto gate recognized my car and slid open, letting us drive right into the courtyard.Isabel Zetino, the housemaid, spotted me as soon as I parked. She gave me this big smile and waved. "Rea, you're back! I'll let Mr. and Mrs. Johnston know."I smiled back, shaking my head. "No need. I'll head in myself."Her gaze flicked over to Hayden as he got out of the car and walked over to me. She was definitely curio
But Lindey wasn't buying it. She gave him a little swat. "Oh, please. You think you can use Rea to get out of this? Not happening.""Hey, Lindey." I called out.At the sound of my voice, Lindey froze. She turned around, her eyes lighting up when she saw me, but the second she realized I had probably caught the whole intimate scene with her and Matthew, her face went bright red.She quickly dropped Matthew's hand and made her way over to me. "Rea, you're here! Have you eaten? I'll have Isabel—""I've already eaten," I lied, even though my stomach was growling. It suddenly hit me that I hadn't asked Hayden if he'd eaten either."Why didn't you have your dinner here?" Lindey asked, sounding a little annoyed.She was acting like Hayden wasn't even there, not a single word or glance his way. But I knew Lindey better than that—this was her very subtle way of showing her disapproval.Still, Lindey had too much class to be totally rude. After what felt like an eternity of her ignoring h
Just then, Hayden's eyes shifted to me.His grip on my hand tightened, like for a second, he wasn't just holding my hand—he had my heart too.You know how they say your fingers are connected to your heart? Yeah, right now, that felt way too real."I'll give Kiki everything I have," Hayden said, his intense eyes locked on mine. "I'll love her like I love my own life, and I'll always protect her."His eyes were full of affection. In that moment, I finally understood what people meant when they said, "Love deep as the ocean."And even though this was all supposed to be an act, it felt like Hayden's words were reaching right into my chest, like he was actually confessing.This guy was unbelievable. Blurring the line between what's real and what's fake.With him saying stuff like that, I had no choice but to roll with it. I lifted my hand, planning to squeeze his back.But the way he was looking at me? It made me clench my teeth. I asked him to act, not toss real feelings into the m
Ever since I stopped being forced to practice hand lettering under Matthew's watch, I never bothered to do it on my own.I mean, I wasn't exactly a kid anymore, but I was still just as lazy as one, dodging anything that felt like work whenever I could."Relax, just write. However it turns out, it turns out," Matthew said, holding the quill pen out to me again.How was I supposed to say no?I'd held this pen before when I bought it, but now, taking it from him, it felt so much heavier.Maybe it was all the ink—or maybe it was the way Matthew was staring at me, like he was expecting something big.He wanted me to be that girl again. The one who used to write with a heart full of Jace, back when I was that kid always hanging out at their home.I pressed the pen to the paper, but my hand shook. No matter how hard I tried, the strokes came out all wobbly.I knew Matthew didn't actually care about my handwriting. What he really wanted was something deeper—he was trying to figure out
Matthew froze in his tracks, and I could feel him sway, just a little.I instinctively reached out to steady him. "Matthew!"He turned to face me, his expression tense. "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"I thought about what Hayden had said, but I couldn't bring myself to tell Matthew the truth. So, I played it off with a casual shrug. "I was just curious. No big deal."The smile vanished from his face, and the way he looked at me sent a cold chill down my spine."Rea, your parents' car accident was exactly that—an accident. I went to the scene myself. The police were there, and there's a full investigation report," Matthew said, his voice serious.I hadn't been at the scene back then. I didn't know the details firsthand.Matthew had kept me away, told me not to come. He didn't want me to see something so awful, and I knew he was trying to protect me. But still, it left me with this lingering regret that never really went away."If you have doubts or don't believe me, y
"Alright," I nodded, then turned to Lindey. "We're heading out."She gave me a quick look, clearly sensing something was up. Her eyes flicked upstairs, probably wondering what had gone down between me and Matthew, but she didn't push it. "Drive safe."Hayden and I slid into the car, and right as I was about to turn the key, he pressed his hand over mine, stopping me. "What's up?" he asked, his tone all gentle but definitely not letting it go."Nothing, we talked about my parents," I admitted, not even trying to dodge it."You asked about the accident, didn't you?" He nailed it, like he always did.I gave a dry laugh. "Yeah, looks like you're rubbing off on me. I had to know.""And?" he pushed, not dropping it.Remembering Matthew's words, I started the car and hit the gas, giving Hayden the answer. "It was just an accident."As we pulled away from the Johnston residence, I added, "There are official reports and everything."Hayden didn't push any further. We drove in silence,
Hayden turned to Keira, his eyes brimming with a mixture of agitation and fear. Keira understood his concern. “Let’s figure out what’s going on first. We need to trust Yuna.” This was the OB-GYN department. It was unusual for a young, unmarried woman like Yuna to be here, and Hayden, as her protective older brother, had every reason to be uneasy. Hayden had visited her before in Beijing, but Keira hadn’t. Yuna didn’t particularly like her, and she wasn’t one to force her presence where it wasn’t wanted. Keira had a clear conscience in the matter. According to Hayden, Yuna had been doing well at Beijing University, excelling in her studies. Yet, here she was in a place that didn’t seem to fit. Yuna hadn’t noticed them, but her demeanor betrayed her nerves. She frequently checked her phone and stared at the call screen anxiously. After a while, she pulled out a book, seemingly trying to distract herself, but it didn’t work. With a frustrated sigh, she slapped the book over her
"How boring," Lena grumbled. Not wanting to disappoint her, Aaron relented. He opened the car door, used the frame to push himself up, and joined her on the roof with a graceful leap. Lena’s mood brightened instantly. She reached out and playfully tapped his forehead. “Uncle, you’re so obedient.” “You’re just a drunk lunatic,” Aaron muttered, grabbing her arm to keep her steady. Lena rested her head on his shoulder. “Uncle, tell me a story…” “Once upon a time, there was a little girl who dreamed of visiting the moon. Every night, she prayed and wished, until one day, her sincerity caught the attention of a celestial maiden in the moon palace…” “I don’t want to hear that one!” Lena interrupted, shaking her head in protest. “You told me that story when I was little, and you’re still telling it now. I’m sick of it!” “Then what story do you want to hear?” Aaron’s deep voice carried a soothing resonance in the quiet night, rich and magnetic. Lena closed her eyes slightly. “T
“Hey, pretty lady, want to move this party somewhere else?” In the center of the dance floor, a man leaned closer to Lena with an inviting smile. Lena tossed her rarely unbound long hair over her shoulder, swaying slightly as she replied, “To your bed, perhaps?” “If that’s what you want,” the man said with a grin, moving even closer. Lena pressed a single finger to his forehead, stopping him in his tracks. “I think my bed would be more suitable.” “Your bed works too,” the man smirked. Leaning in closer, Lena gave a sly smile. “My bed happens to be a surgical table.” The man laughed, assuming she was teasing him. “So, what’s on the menu? Heart or liver?” “Heart and liver,” Lena replied smoothly, her finger pressing precisely on the corresponding points on his body. The man hesitated, clearly startled by her precision, but before he could react, Lena pushed him away with a flick of her finger. She had danced enough and left the floor, catching her breath. From the cro
Lena’s father and grandfather poured themselves some wine, but before they could take a sip, they were scolded. “When it’s time to talk, you’re mute, but when it comes to lifting a wine glass, you’re the most enthusiastic.” “Aaron, when you find a wife, don’t pick someone like your sister or your mom, or you’ll spend your whole life getting nagged,” Lena’s father teased, earning laughter from everyone at the table. Although the homecoming had started awkwardly, the evening turned out enjoyable, with a lively and pleasant conclusion. “Why don’t you both stay the night? Don’t leave,” suggested Mrs. Lane after dinner. Lena: “No way!” Aaron: “I’ve got work!” Their simultaneous refusals drew the attention of everyone at the table. Lena kept her composure, her face impassive as she explained, “I’m currently preparing for a fetal surgery on a pregnant patient. There’s a lot of prep work involved. I was supposed to work overtime tonight, but you called me here at the last minute.
Lena’s mother’s face flushed with embarrassment at the questioning but quickly retorted, “Aaron, what kind of talk is that? Lena is my daughter. I gave birth to her and raised her. How could I possibly harm her?” “Then what do you call what you’re doing today?” Aaron’s voice and gaze were both ice-cold. “Your sister is just worried that Lena hasn’t moved on from Nate,” Lena’s father chimed in, trying to mediate. “That’s right, Aaron. Your sister and brother-in-law would never hurt Lena. Besides, the Goodwick family isn’t bad. It’s just that from the moment you two walked in, you’ve been giving them attitude, making sharp remarks at every turn,” added Aaron’s father, who had been silent until now. As the person in question, Lena couldn’t remain silent any longer. “Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, I know you all care about me and want the best for me, but I really don’t want to start a new relationship right now. That doesn’t mean I’m stuck in the past with Nate, though. Can you just
“Yes!” Lena and Aaron replied in unison. Mrs. Goodwick froze for a moment, then gave an awkward laugh. “You two are uncle and niece, having grown up together, but now that you’re adults, you should have your own spaces. What if Mr. Ace brings a girlfriend home? It wouldn’t be convenient, would it?” She certainly knew how to mind others' business. “I don’t have a girlfriend, so there’s no inconvenience,” Aaron replied flatly, blocking her attempts at argument like swatting away a fly. “But men and women are different,” Arthur said, his gaze toward Lena taking on a peculiar edge. “Only dirty-minded people think that way,” Lena shot back without hesitation. The back-and-forth between Aaron and Lena left no room for the Goodwick family to save face. Their expressions darkened considerably. Mrs. Lane had to step in to smooth things over. “It’s just that Lena had some trouble with a medical dispute recently. We were worried about her safety, so we let her stay with her uncle fo
“Lena, you’re back! Aaron…” Mrs. Lane immediately waved at Lena, signaling her to come over quickly. Lena had a sinking feeling and didn’t step forward. Just then, Aaron walked over and stood beside her, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room. As his sleeve brushed against Lena’s hand, the accidental touch gave her a sudden boost of courage. What was there to be afraid of? With Aaron here, her mother wouldn’t dare go overboard. It was a confidence she had grown up with—so long as Aaron was around, her mother was nothing more than a paper tiger. To this day, Lena couldn’t quite figure it out. Aaron wasn’t even biologically related to the family, yet everyone seemed to hold him in unusually high regard. Whatever he said, no one would dare contradict. It was precisely because of this unique favoritism that Lena often rode on his coattails, benefiting from his influence. “Chairman Goodwick, Mrs. Goodwick,” Aaron greeted the unfamiliar guests first, acknowledging the fa
“It doesn’t hurt anymore. It’s completely healed,” Lena said as she sat down. “Any new issues or discoveries today?” “None,” Nate replied, his dark, deep gaze lingering on her with a complex expression. Lena noticed but pretended not to. She had no intention of asking. When she lowered her head to focus on work, Nate withdrew his gaze. For the rest of the day, he didn’t say another word to her. This behavior was unusual for him. Ever since he returned to promote his research project, Nate had always carried himself with humility, desperately seeking her forgiveness. But today, he acted like just another colleague, a completely different person from before. Although this change was what Lena had hoped for, she couldn’t help but feel unsettled. What had brought on this sudden shift? She thought back to the incident yesterday when she had asked Nate and Aaron to leave while her wound was being treated. Could it be that her uncle had said something to Nate? On the drive bac
Aaron didn’t give Nate an answer, but silence itself was an answer. Lena’s test results came back negative: no traces of snake venom were found in her system. The wound had been treated, and in the end, it turned out to be a false alarm. “Sorry, Uncle,” Lena said apologetically. “I ruined your camping trip.” When she had been bitten by the snake, her screams were so terrifying that they startled everyone else. The others quickly packed up and left, bringing the camping trip to an abrupt, messy end. “It’s fine. You can make it up to everyone another time,” Aaron replied in a way that defied all expectations. Shouldn’t he be comforting her? He didn’t play by the rules, and Lena decided she wouldn’t either. “I’m not making it up to anyone. If anything, you owe me, Uncle.” “How would you like me to compensate you?” This time, he sounded more reasonable. Lena blinked mischievously. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” After saying that, she sigh