I held my breath, meeting his gaze. Hayden was looking right at me, steady and unhesitating.He was always so direct, so open. Meanwhile, I was the one who felt unsettled, like the breakup had somehow been my fault."Well, speak of the devil. Hayden, we were just talking about you," Ron said, ever the troublemaker.Hayden nodded, standing there with that perfect posture of his, not saying a word."Aren't you curious what we were saying?" Ron pressed, clearly trying to stir the pot.Ron couldn't resist pushing boundaries; it was practically his hobby.Hayden stayed silent, so Ron scratched his nose. "We were saying you've lost weight, and that you..."He trailed off, then winked at me. "Ms. Kay, let's keep the rest a secret from him."I almost laughed, a small smile sneaking its way to my lips.Hayden happened to glance over just then, but I quickly looked away.He might not want me anymore, but that didn't mean I'd let him think I couldn't live without him.At lunch, I final
"Hey there, Mr. Hart!"I threw on a polite smile, like he was any other coworker.Hayden didn't say a word. We brushed shoulders as I walked past, and as soon as I was out of sight, my smile faded, leaving this tiny spark of bitterness. I hopped into the company car and headed to the address Sasha gave me.When I got there, she hadn't shown up yet. I shot her a message, and she told me to grab a seat and wait.While I waited, I checked my phone. There was a new text from Yuna. Scrolling up, I saw a string of messages from her—most of them apologies and her defending Hayden. I'd only replied once and hadn't answered since.Yuna: [Keira, please answer me? Hayden's practically put me on house arrest; I can't leave the house.]I stared at her text for a second, then replied: [I'm fine and back at work. As for Hayden and me, you don't need to worry about it.]She replied instantly: [He loves you, I swear it.]I didn't respond, but she kept going: [He tried cooking for you, got distr
I kept my eyes on her, but suddenly, Sasha's face started to blur. I shook my head, about to say something, when she spoke first."It wasn't his wife's dream this time. He said he wanted to meet you.""What?" The word barely left my lips before everything went completely fuzzy.Next thing I knew, I felt Sasha's arm around me, her voice soft. "Just rest for a bit."Rest?A little voice inside me questioned, but I couldn't even open my mouth to respond. My eyelids felt heavy as lead, and I couldn't speak. I felt myself being lifted, then placed in a car, though where they were taking me, I had no idea.At some point, someone held a cup of water to my lips. I drank, blinking my eyes open to see a tall, unfamiliar man. But I knew him—one of Thorsten's bodyguards.Remembering Sasha's last words before I blacked out, everything started to click.I shifted groggily and asked the man, "Where's Thorsten?"He ignored me, turning to leave.That's when I realized my hands and feet were b
Thorsten leaned in, his gaze fixed on my face as he chuckled softly.I had no idea what he found so amusing, but I held his stare, demanding an answer. I wasn't about to back down now.Finally, after his laughter faded, he said, "Alright, I'll let you die with the truth. Your father got in the way of someone else's money."My mind flashed to the contract my father had been negotiating."He blocked someone else's profit—not yours. So why did you go after my parents?" I pressed, still not understanding.Thorsten smirked. "Have you forgotten what I do? How I made my fortune?"The answer hit me. He'd done it for money—someone had hired him."Who was it?" I demanded, my voice tight with desperation.Thorsten didn't answer directly. Instead, he leaned back, watching me. "Who do you think it was?"The pieces fell into place, each one hitting like a blow. My parents' death was tied to that contract, which eventually landed in Matthew's hands. So... it was him.I'd suspected it before
Thorsten laughed. "You're clever. Maybe you'll be born into a good family in your next life."With that, he stood, and I instinctively leaned forward, almost collapsing at his feet. One of his bodyguards moved to grab me, but Thorsten held him back, giving me a cold, disdainful look. "Now that you know everything, what do you want? Beg me to let you go?"Yes, I wanted him to let me go.I couldn't die here—not like this. That would be too much of a loss."I don't believe you. Not unless you let me confront Matthew myself. Or at least call him—I want to hear what he has to say." My words were both genuine and a desperate attempt to buy time.If I could just hold him off a little longer, maybe someone would come looking for me.But who would?I didn't have time to figure that out. I held Thorsten's gaze, praying he'd give in.But he just signaled to his bodyguard, and the next thing I knew, I was being dragged away.Thorsten left, and I was shoved back into my chair, his words ec
A solid chest and a familiar scent made me freeze.I looked up, and there he was—Hayden.His face was tense, his eyes locked onto mine, filled with worry. I had no clue how he'd found me, but just seeing him melted the terror inside me. Any thought of our breakup faded as I clung to his shirt like he was my lifeline.His arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me. "Are you hurt?" he asked."No," I managed, just as the sound of angry voices erupted outside, closing in fast.Before I could process what was happening, Hayden's arm tightened around me, and suddenly, I felt myself lifted off the ground.Kicks, punches, and grunts filled the air around us.It was like an action scene straight out of a movie, only this was real—and happening right beside me.I'd seen Hayden fight before, but not like this. Taking on an entire group and leaving them scattered on the ground? It was another level.No wonder he's ex-military. He was... incredible.I couldn't help but remember something J
Hayden didn't answer right away, but I could tell he already knew more than he was letting on."Why won't you just tell me?" Frustration spilled over, and my hand hit the seat between us.Screech—The car lurched to a stop, his grip white-knuckling the steering wheel, veins popping. I couldn't stop staring."For the money," he finally said.I turned, searching his face, but he kept it turned away, giving me nothing.I thought of Yuna's illness. "Was it... was it to pay for Yuna's treatment?"Hayden popped open the glove compartment, pulled out a cigarette, and after a few clicks, he lit up. He took a long drag, his voice low. "My father was responsible for your parents' deaths. That's a debt—a sin he left behind. So, now, I owe you a life."He wasn't answering my question directly, but he'd given me a truth that stung more.I watched him, distant as he smoked. "And how do you plan to repay that... 'life debt'?"The cigarette trembled just a bit in his hand, but he didn't answ
The lights in the Johnston main hall were blinding, making everything feel sharper, more intense.Lindey didn't give me her usual warm welcome. Instead, her expression was all nerves.Matthew just sat there, still as a statue.I couldn't ignore how frail he looked now—thinner, with hair that had gone almost completely white. But as Hayden and I stepped in, he barely reacted, his face a blank slate.Lindey got up, awkwardly. "Rea, Hayden... you're here.""Lindey. Matthew," I greeted, same as always.Matthew gestured for us to sit, and Isabel brought over tea."Are you hurt?" Matthew asked, breaking the silence.I wanted to shrug it off, but my wrist burned—a painful reminder of hours spent tied up, bruises still fresh and sore.Lindey noticed. Her hand twitched like she wanted to reach out, but she held back. It was like she wasn't sure if she could still show that kind of care."Let Lindey put some ointment on that later," Matthew said, his voice calm.A bitter taste filled
"Because this love didn’t give me the happiness I imagined," Lena explained with a faint smile. "It’s like going to the supermarket, picking out a snack you’re excited about, and then finding out it doesn’t suit your taste. After that, you just don’t like it anymore and won’t bother with it again." Her metaphor was strikingly apt. "And what does the happiness you imagine look like?" Aaron asked, as though playing the role of a persistent interviewer. Lena, softened by the alcohol, answered obediently, "I don’t know. But whatever it is, Nate didn’t give it to me." Aaron observed the peaceful resignation in her expression and pressed further. "Do you still believe in love? Do you still want to start a new relationship?" "Of course," Lena said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyebrows arched into a cheerful expression. "I’m not the kind of person who gets scared off by a bad experience. If I meet someone who makes my heart race again, I’ll love them boldly and passiona
He was waiting for her? What for? "Uncle, you didn’t skip dinner, did you?" Lena’s first thought was his meal. In truth, he hadn’t eaten. After receiving her message, he had been uneasy all evening, unable to focus on food. "You didn’t eat? I’ll make something for you," Lena assumed his silence was confirmation. "There’s no need," Aaron refused. "Then why were you waiting for me? Is something wrong?" In Lena’s view, Aaron would never wait for her without a reason. He gazed at her, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve been drinking?" She nodded, flashing him a sweet, soft smile. She even gestured with her hand, "Just a little." Aaron stepped closer, his tall frame looming over her with an intensity that made her feel small. Though the light above bathed his eyes, they remained dark and inscrutable, filled with a depth that was hard to read. Lena sensed something was off. "Uncle, what’s wrong?" She looked into his deep, clear eyes, untouched by any impurity.
"Should we drink a little today?" Lena asked. Nate nodded. "Let’s have a drink." They warmed a bottle of wine and ordered a few small dishes. Neither of them spoke, simply sitting quietly, gazing out at the river and the occasional boats passing by. "Lena," Nate called her softly. Lena turned to look at him. The warm yellow light above cast a gentle glow on his nose, brows, and lips. His gold-rimmed glasses exuded elegance, and the texture of his shirt spoke of refined taste. Even after their breakup, Lena had to admit that Nate was precisely her type. In all her life, among all the men she had met, only Aaron and Nate could truly be called attractive in her eyes. Even Hayden and Jace were merely "not bad." It wasn’t that her standards were excessively high—it was simply that if someone didn’t resonate with her, no matter how perfect they were, she wouldn’t care for them. "Thank you," Nate said softly. Lena was momentarily stunned, assuming he was referring to their wor
Recently, Lena had been in a constant state of distraction. Aaron's decision to sever ties with the Aces weighed heavily on her mind. He hadn't told her the reason, only saying that she would find out in due time. She could live without knowing why, but she feared the fallout. When the truth came to light, she worried her grandparents and her mother would crumble under the weight of the news, collectively breaking down. Aaron had assured her he would handle everything, but she didn’t trust that he could shield the family from such devastation. Most importantly, she couldn’t understand why he would choose to leave the Aces. Could it really be, as the old saying went, that someone else’s child was like an ungrateful wolf? If it were anyone else, she might believe it, but this was Aaron. She couldn’t bring herself to believe he would be so heartless, so ungrateful. And yet, he had said it to her himself. It felt so unreal that Lena wondered if she had imagined it all. This tur
Mrs. Lane finally pieced together all the questions Lena had asked her and understood everything. Gabriel furrowed his brow and looked at Lena. "Is this really what you think?" Lena stayed silent. She did have those suspicions, but seeing how her mother had reacted so strongly, she began to wonder if she had been overthinking it. Aaron, who had already figured out the situation, looked at Lena and spoke up. "She must have misunderstood something." And he knew it was his fault. "She’s just an ungrateful brat! She doesn’t appreciate the kindness she’s been given and can’t stand seeing me be good to someone else," Mrs. Lane fumed again. Gabriel wiped away her tears gently. "Alright, maybe she was just joking with you." "Ask her if she was joking! Look at the things she’s been asking me—let her tell you herself!" Mrs. Lane pointed an accusing finger at Lena. "Big Sis," Aaron called out softly, "I’ll take Lil' Lena out for some fresh air." Without waiting for a reply, he r
"You’ll find out soon enough," Aaron’s answer echoed in Lena’s ears, leaving her restless and unable to sleep. The next day, Mrs. Lane arrived with chicken soup for Aaron and a bag full of fresh produce. "These vegetables are from a village I visited. They’re all organic, no chemical fertilizers," she gushed proudly. Lena's gaze followed her mother’s every move, scrutinizing her intently. Wherever she went, Lena's eyes followed, making her incredibly uncomfortable. "What are you staring at me for? It’s creepy," Mrs. Lane said. "Mom, why are you so good to my uncle?" Lena finally asked. "He’s my brother. Isn’t it normal for me to care for him? You think everyone’s as heartless as you?" Mrs. Lane scolded her, throwing in an insult for good measure. Lena didn’t retaliate to the insult. Instead, she pressed further, "It’s normal, sure, but the way you care for him doesn’t feel like how you’d treat a brother. It feels more like..." She paused before continuing, "Like how you’d
Keira chuckled softly. "Well, a DNA test isn’t a bad idea. At least then you won’t have to worry about being related to Mr. Ace if you two get together." Lena's eyebrows shot up instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you want me to hit you?" "Go ahead. If you break anything, you’ll have to compensate me," Keira said smugly, knowing full well she had a trump card—her precious little one growing inside her. Their playful banter caught the attention of the people in the room. They exchanged amused glances. "The things girls find joy in are beyond us," one of them said with a smile. "Let’s hope they stay happy forever," Aaron added, just as his phone began to ring. Glancing at the caller ID, he nodded at Hayden. "I’ll take this call." Aaron walked toward his study. Hayden also pulled out his phone, while Lena and Keira moved to the sofa. Keira recounted Lena’s gossip to him. "Hayden, do you think I could be the person the Mitchell family owes a debt to?" "It’s not
"I don't know them!" Lena shook her head. Was she joking? Keira pinched her lightly and looped her arm through hers as they continued walking inside. Lena began, "I heard some gossip from my colleagues, something about the Mitchell family of Windy City." "Let’s hear it," Keira said, strolling leisurely alongside her. Meanwhile, Hayden had already marched ahead, carrying the luggage into the hall. He was always efficient and precise, a trait ingrained in his very being from his military days. It showed in his every move, even in his stride. "A while back, the only legitimate heir of the Mitchell family in Windy City had an accident. Apparently, he fell from something high, hit his head, and ended up as a vegetable," she said. Keira had already heard Hayden mention this earlier. "That’s it?" she pouted dismissively. Lena huffed. "There’s more." "The Mitchell family has spared no expense trying to treat him. They’ve consulted every expert in the country, flown in wave afte
Hayden took out his phone and made a call. “There’s a car tailing me and my wife. Find out their identity, but make sure they don’t realize we’re onto them,” he instructed. “Why don’t you want them to know we’ve noticed?” Keira asked, puzzled. “Don’t startle the snake. If they really have ulterior motives, taking care of this group might just bring another wave,” Hayden explained. His reasoning made sense, and Keira nodded in understanding. They picked up Lena’s suitcase and were on their way to deliver it when the car behind them got rear-ended. They stopped to check, and Hayden received a message—a series of photos and some information. “Windy City… the Mitchell family?” Hayden muttered under his breath. Keira leaned over to look at the photos. One showed the driver partially visible, cautiously keeping the car windows barely open. The backseat passenger was only captured in silhouette. But Hayden’s people were well-prepared and used high-definition cameras, managing to cap