Chapter 527

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