Chapter 521

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