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.

wrist burned-a painful reminder of hours spent tied up, bruises

to reach out, but she held back.

Lindey put some ointment on that later," Matthew said, his voice

bitter taste filled my mouth. "That

voice was

her. He looked at me directly. "Rea,

throat tight. "Is what Thorsten

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

answer would wreck everything I thought I

the words I dreaded still came

That single word hit like a punch to

I stared at him, my gaze shaky. Matthew held my eyes, steady. "Your

collapsed right

laid it all out, I'd clung to the hope that without

But now he'd confessed.