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.

shrug it off, but my wrist burned-a painful reminder of hours

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

that later," Matthew

filled my mouth.

was barely a

looked at me directly. "Rea, ask what you

throat tight. "Is

who'd been like a father for so long.

wreck everything I

words I dreaded still

That single word hit like a punch to the

my gaze shaky. Matthew held my eyes, steady. "Your parents' deaths... I

collapsed

Thorsten had laid it all out, I'd clung to the

But now he'd confessed.