My heart skipped a beat. "What happened?"Jace's face darkened. "He got into a fight."A fight overseas, right before a major competition? That didn't sound like Steve. "Did he ask you to come?"Jace hesitated. "He's been detained."I blinked, stunned. "That serious?""Yeah, and if things don't go well, he could be facing long-term imprisonment." His words knocked the wind out of me for a second.Seeing the worry on my face, Jace added, "I don't know all the details yet. One of his teammates called. I'm heading over to figure things out."I nodded slightly. "Let me know if anything—""Do you want to come with me?" Jace cut in, eyes locked on mine.I wasn't expecting that. My mouth opened, but before I could answer, Jace continued, "His teammate said Steve's not doing well. He's been really agitated. If you're there, maybe you could calm him down."Steve wasn't just a friend—he was family. Someone who'd always had my back. Now he was in trouble, far from home, and of course I
"What are you doing here?" Hayden set down the papers he'd been holding.I walked up behind him, letting my fingers brush along his chin. "I missed you."Instead of smiling at my confession, he immediately sensed something was off. His hand slipped around my waist, and in one smooth motion, he pulled me onto his lap. "What's going on?"Seeing the concern in his eyes, I playfully tapped his nose. "You always know when something's up, don't you?""Then don't keep things from me.""Lena's left the country," I started, deliberately leaving out the part about Steve—for now.He didn't look surprised, just gave a soft "Oh."Hayden had this perfectly defined nose, and I traced it with my finger. "You're a guy, so you get how men think. Do men like it when women cling to them?""Is this a question for Lena?" He raised a brow, letting me mess with his face."Not just her. It's for me too... and for, like, all women everywhere.""It depends on the guy," he said, dodging a real answer.
"Why are you asking me for permission to do something you want?" Hayden countered.I leaned my head against his neck, avoiding his gaze as my fingers toyed with the buttons on his shirt. "Because I don't want you to overthink it. I don't want you to be upset."He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, the warmth of it spreading over me. "So, you're worried about how I'll feel?"There was a soft happiness in his voice, like my concern for him meant more than I realized. It reminded me that men need to feel cared for too."Of course. You're my boyfriend. I don't want you thinking I'd ever leave you behind for someone else, especially not a guy I used to be with. I wouldn't want you feeling weird about me staying connected to an ex," I said honestly.I knew too well what it felt like to deal with betrayal and suspicion, and I never wanted Hayden to go through that because of me."You care so much about me," Hayden teased, though his voice was filled with affection. His words brought
"Silly girl," he whispered, wiping away my tears.I buried my face in his chest. He was the one who promised he'd always be there to catch my tears, after all."Hayden, are you sure you won't get jealous, letting me meet up with Jace? We'll have to talk, you know," I asked, wanting to hear him say it again.He chuckled, that signature confidence shining through. "You already left him. What's there to be jealous about? And honestly, after me, I doubt any other guy's even on your radar."Classic Hayden. But I had to admit, I kinda loved how sure he was. It made me feel like no one else could ever compare.He insisted on driving me to the airport, waiting until I was completely out of sight before leaving.By the time I landed in Houston, it was already dark. I pulled out my phone to text Jace and let him know I was here, but to my surprise, there was already a message waiting from him: [I'm at the exit.]I blinked. I hadn't told him I was coming, so how did he know?Only one pers
Yes, I was reminding him. I didn't want him getting any ideas. But I wasn't in the mood for a fight either, so I matched his serious tone."Jace, I flew all the way here. Do you really want to start an argument right now?"He went quiet, his lips twitching like he wanted to say something snarky, but all he said was, "Give me your luggage."I handed him my suitcase without a second thought, and we walked out of the airport together in silence.Since he didn't bring up Steve's situation, I decided to. "So, what's going on with Steve? What's this fight about?""He's still in detention. No visitors allowed right now," Jace said, making me frown.So my trip here was basically pointless? The whole reason I came was because Jace said Steve was losing it, and I thought I could help."But I'm working on it. You'll see him soon," Jace added, switching up the vibe.I ignored that and pushed for more info. "Why'd Steve get into a fight?""It happened during practice. The guy's name is Dan
Jace let out a short laugh. "So, you really do resent me, huh?""I wouldn't go that far," I said, though we both knew there was some truth in it. "But yeah, there's definitely a bit of an imbalance. You wasted ten years of my life—my time, my emotions." Since we were already on the subject, I wasn't holding back."And what about my ten years?" he said quietly, his voice low. "Rea, I loved you all those years, too. I gave you my heart."I met his eyes for a second, then looked away. "I'm not denying that. But the second you slept with Tanya, everything you gave? Gone. You wiped it all out yourself."Jace's jaw clenched in frustration. "Even criminals get parole, chances to redeem themselves. Why can't I get one?""Because with me, there are no second chances," I said just as the food arrived.He clearly wanted to keep talking, but I wasn't having it. "If you want me to actually eat this, drop the past."His eyes darkened, but he stayed quiet.We ate in near silence, neither of u
I was sitting on the hotel balcony, staring out at the rain when Hayden's video call flashed on my screen.There's something about a foreign city that makes everything feel kind of...lonely. Especially when it's pouring.As I sat there, the conversation I'd overheard played on repeat in my head. And suddenly, Jace's weird questions about Hayden made sense. Not to mention why Kylian had been acting so weird around him.Hayden wasn't just some regular guy.He was from that Hart family.I thought he was just your average guy-next-door, and now it turns out he was some secret heir to a filthy rich, powerful family. Like, for real?What was this? Some undercover billionaire thing? Was he scared I'd stick around just because of his money?A bitter laugh escaped me as I grabbed my phone, which had been buzzing nonstop at my feet.Hayden's face filled the screen—handsome as ever. "Kiki, I can explain."He must've seen the call log. Of course he knew I overheard everything."Explain w
My chest tightened. "Alright, what time tomorrow?" I asked."Not sure yet. Just keep your phone close," Hayden paused, then, more casually, "Have you eaten?""Yeah, I ate with Jace," I replied, totally innocent, no hidden meaning behind it.There wasn't any reason for him to think otherwise. After all, he's the one who had Jace looking after me.Sure enough, Hayden didn't make a big deal of it. He just moved on. "What did Jace say about Steve?""He said he's working on getting me in to see him, but nothing beyond that," I replied, keeping it simple."Jace knows Steve's teammates pretty well. He might be able to get some leads from them," Hayden added. I didn't say anything, and he didn't push it.Silence settled between us. It felt strange—this had never happened during our calls before.I broke it, glancing out the window. "It's raining here. Like, really hard.""I can hear it," Hayden said, and that's when I realized—I'd had my phone facing up the whole time. He wasn't even
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