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.

wanted to shrug it off, but my wrist burned-a painful reminder of hours spent tied up, bruises still fresh and

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

ointment on that later," Matthew said, his

bitter taste filled my mouth.

Lindey's voice was

his hand, stopping her. He looked at

throat tight. "Is

who'd been like a father for so long. And suddenly,

wreck everything I thought

I dreaded still

hit like a punch to the

and I stared at him, my gaze shaky. Matthew held my eyes, steady. "Your parents' deaths... I arranged

collapsed

laid it all out, I'd clung to the hope that without Matthew's confession, it couldn't

But now he'd confessed.