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

Chapter 495

Why else would he spend all those years helping everyone, scraping by just to pay for his own sister's heart transplant?

And with Jace... if I hadn't given him blood, it would've been like watching him die right there in front of

1. me.

I couldn't figure out what was going on in Hayden's head, and I was done pretending I didn't notice. So, I opened my eyes, catching him off guard, making it impossible for him to hide that tenderness in his gaze. His hand, which had been gently tracing my cheek, froze. The warmth in his eyes flickered-too late to hide it.

After a moment, he pulled his hand back, but I was faster. I grabbed it, holding tight. "Hayden, what are you doing? You clearly care, so why are you putting me through this?" Tears spilled over. I swear, I was one of those people who cried way too easily.

I always told myself to stay strong, but my tears never got the memo. Fine-let them fall. If he was gonna see me cry, at least he'd know how much I cared, how much I loved him. Maybe, just maybe, he'd finally get how much he meant to me.

But he just stood there, silent, not even acknowledging my tears.

A minute ago, he was so careful, brushing them away while I slept. Now that I was awake, crying right in front of him? Nothing.

The way he just stood there, saying nothing-it was killing me.

"Hayden, what do you want? Say something! How can you say you love me and still push me away?" My voice cracked, totally giving me away.

he replied, his

You're

pretend this isn't killing you,

of that v

"

non

Ron into all-night work sessions or sneaking

I'd catch a faint whiff of smoke on him, something he only did when

eyes narrowed slightly. "You're right-I do love you. So yeah, this

He was hurting too?

of betrayal even

Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "I love you, Keira, but not enough to watch you risk your life for another man while

told you-that doesn't mean I love him. I was

Chapter 495

+25 BONUS

If you can give it up so easily for someone else, then maybe

be with your whole heart. I feel the same. Do you get that?" He interrupted again,

him completely. But the truth

Jace. He'd said he loved me, but he'd always chosen

treated me. Yet here I