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

Chapter 528

+25 BONUS

The lights in the Johnston main hall were blinding, making everything feel sharper, more intense.

Lindey didn't give me her usual warm welcome. Instead, her expression was all nerves.

Matthew just sat there, still as a statue.

I couldn't ignore how frail he looked now-thinner, with hair that had gone almost completely white. But as Hayden and I stepped in, he barely reacted, his face a blank slate Lindey got up, awkwardly. "Rea, Hayden... you're here."

"Lindey. Matthew," I greeted, same as always.

Matthew gestured for us to sit, and Isabel brought over tea.

"Are you hurt?" Matthew asked, breaking the silence.

burned-a painful reminder of hours

wanted to reach out, but she held back. It was like she wasn't sure if she

ointment on that

filled my mouth.

Lindey's voice was barely

stopping her. He looked at me directly. "Rea, ask what you came

tight. "Is what

at him-the man who'd been like a father for so long. And suddenly,

wreck everything I

words I dreaded

word hit like

gaze shaky. Matthew held

collapsed right

it all out, I'd clung to the hope

But now he'd confessed.