Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 421 +25 BONL

I had Steve check it out instead of just waiting for Hayden's conclusion. I mean, it was his dad driving that day, and I couldn't shake the feeling he might lie to protect him. Now, though? Yeah, I was totally overthinking it.

"You're thinking the brakes failed that day, huh?" Hayden asked.

We w

were officially together now, so no more dodging the truth. "Yeah. I need a real answer, though. Like, no guessing."

Hayden went quiet for a second, then asked, all soft, "Rea, if-and I'm just saying if-the brake thing had something to do with my dad, would you... would you leave me?"

The words hit like a punch in the gut, tightening my throat like someone was choking me. I knew why he asked, but honestly? I hadn't thought about it. It was too scary to even go there. "Hayden, I really don't know."

There was a part of me that believed-even if the accident was tied to his dad-that Hayden wasn't his dad. I couldn't blame him for something his dad might've done. But just because I could think that way didn't mean I actually could do it.

I shifted in his arms, trying to get comfortable. "If it's true... what would you do? Would you feel guilty and, like, push me away?"

More silence. I figured he didn't know either.

Then he finally whispered, "All I know is, I can't lose you."

saying he couldn't stand the thought, sent a wave of emotion

to myself than

me. Soft at first, then deeper, like he

more intense. It was like he couldn't get close

in his arms, but in my dreams, I was back at the scene of my parents'

"Kiki."

my name, but no matter how

up with a start, Hayden shaking me gently. His face was full of

nightmare," he murmured, brushing

my parents. They

25

S BONUS

Chapter 421

He just

heartbeats. Then, suddenly, voices broke the

Jace!" a woman's voice screamed, full of anger and hurt. "If you were such a good guy, you never would've

Tanya. Jace had

I buried my face in Hayden's