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.

told you already," he replied, his

buy it. You're not the type to misunderstand or get

don't pretend this isn't killing

of that v

"

non

wasn't, you wouldn't be dragging Ron into all-night work sessions

faint whiff of smoke on him, something he only did when he was

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

He was hurting too?

only made my own pain flare, the sting of betrayal even sharper. "Then why are you still breaking up

enough to watch you risk your life

you-that doesn't mean

Chapter 495

+25 BONUS

still not okay. When you're with me, your life should be mine. If you can give it up so easily for someone else, then maybe you don't love me enough." His words felt so unfair, and my frustration rose up.

someone, it has to be with your whole heart. I feel the same. Do you get that?"

wasn't that I didn't love him completely. But the

He'd said he loved me, but he'd always chosen Tanya, leaving

sworn I'd never treat someone the way Jace had treated