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."

thought, sent a wave of emotion

I whispered, more to myself than him "The universe can't be that cruel to

first, then deeper, like he was trying to erase

intense. It was

was back at the scene of my parents' accident. The wrecked

"Kiki."

my name, but no matter how hard I

Hayden shaking me gently. His face

a nightmare," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my

parents. They were

25

S BONUS

Chapter 421

anything. He just held me

quiet I could hear our heartbeats.

bait, Jace!" a woman's voice screamed, full of anger

Tanya. Jace

interested in the drama. I buried my face in