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,
Holding hands, hugging, and kissing—each came with a price. That was the deal I made with Pete, that creep, during our first meeting at the coffee shop.So when Hayden mentioned "charging" for a kiss, he definitely knew about that.That night, after he gave Pete a serious beating, I had a feeling there was more to the story—something Hayden never bothered to fill me in on.Honestly, I had no idea what to even say to him at this point.But instead of kissing me, Hayden just grabbed my hand and pulled me, dragging me out of the crowd as we bolted—sprinting through the bustling streets.It was the first time I'd ever run through a place that packed. People stared in confusion, not sure why we were running, but still stepping aside like we were parting the sea or something.So there we were, in the middle of the busy street, the crowd parting for us as Hayden led the way. He held my hand tight, glancing back every now and then. The whole thing felt surreal, like some scene straight o
"Then try it," Hayden said, pushing his cheese tart toward my mouth.I instinctively turned my head, but he raised it again, giving me that look that said he wasn't letting it go until I took a bite.With a sigh, I gave in and took a bite.Honestly, it wasn't bad, but it didn't come close to the sweet fruit tarts I had. Definitely not worth trading for.Still, with Hayden watching me so closely, I forced a smile and mumbled through a mouthful of cheese tart, "It's really good.""I wanna try yours, too," he said, completely ignoring his own tart.Without even thinking, I shoved the strawberry tart behind my back like some kid guarding their favorite candy.Hayden cracked up. "Relax, I just want a bite, not the whole thing. Look at you, freaking out. You're being really stingy."Okay, maybe I was being a little dramatic. It was just a tart.Fine, he could have some.I pulled out the box of mini fruit tarts. Five in total, all different flavors. "Here, take your pick."But Hayd
I spotted a dessert truck and made a beeline for it, ordering my go-to—iced coffee jelly.Hayden glanced at my cup, frowning."What? You don't like it?" I asked, smirking."Too much cold stuff's bad for your stomach," he said, all serious.I laughed. "Wow, look at you being all considerate. Are you sure you've never had a girlfriend before?""Nope," he said, totally confident.I shot him a look, totally not buying it."I've got a little sister to take care, so I know some things," he added, and I paused mid-bite.Wait, what? He has a sister?He'd never mentioned her before.Suddenly, these lyrics popped into my head—'Talkin' all that, but I know you're caught.'Every girl's just "like a sis"?'Boy, you ain't slick, can't play me like this.'It was like Hayden could read my mind because he quickly said, "My actual sister. Same mom, same dad."I turned my attention back to my coffee jelly, taking another bite. "You've never mentioned her.""I just never found the right m
I didn't even bother asking who she was. With that tight dress and way too much makeup, it was obvious she wasn't his real girlfriend—just some fling for the night.Once Steve was gone, I glanced back at my coffee jelly, only to realize Hayden had eaten the rest."Let's grab something else," Hayden said, not the least bit apologetic.I clenched my jaw. "Sure, whatever."He dragged me over to a food truck selling some kind of soup, and this time, he ordered two bowls. At least he didn't steal from mine again—probably because it was not cold food.So, it wasn't even about him liking the coffee jelly. He just didn't want me to eat too much of it..This guy could be so annoying, but I had to admit—he was weirdly thoughtful.After we finished the soup, we kept walking, passing stalls selling vintage clothes, handmade crafts, and potted plants.At some point, I ended up grabbing two flower pots for Hayden. "Your place is seriously dead. Thought these might liven it up a bit.""Oh, s
Yuna wanting to give up her heart—this was something Keira never anticipated. She had once told Keira that no matter whose heart it was, as long as it beat in her chest, it was hers. But now she had changed her mind. Why, Keira didn’t know. The thought saddened Keira. That heart was the only blood connection she had left in this world, and yet Yuna seemed unwilling to keep it. Still, it was her right. The heart was hers now, and whatever she chose to do with it was her decision. Hayden seemed to sense Keira’s emotions. He kissed the top of her head gently. “She’s just asking. She won’t give it up so easily.” He sighed softly, adding, “Maybe she’s afraid she’s truly infected and doesn’t think she’ll live long. She might want to give the heart to someone who needs it more, so Narelle can continue to live.” His words struck Keira like a wake-up call. Of course! Why hadn’t she considered that? Instead, she had assumed the worst of her. In that moment, Keira felt a sharp pang
The doctor hesitated for a couple of seconds before asking, “Why do you want to undergo an HIV screening? Are you feeling unwell, or have you recently come into contact with someone diagnosed with the disease?” “I’ve been in contact,” Yuna said softly, her voice tinged with unease. “I didn’t know beforehand. I only found out recently, and it’s been making me really anxious.” “Is it confirmed that the person you were in contact with has this disease? And what kind of contact did you have?” the doctor asked, pausing briefly before continuing. “HIV is indeed a serious condition, but it’s not something you catch from casual contact.” After explaining the basics about HIV transmission, the doctor added, “If you tell me honestly, I can help determine if you’re at risk and whether this screening is necessary.” “The infected person is a girl. She’s from a difficult background and works in a karaoke lounge as a drinks promoter. About a month ago, she got sick, and I took care of her for
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