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

Chapter 618

1 brought Hayden back to Kahmark

One evening as the sun melted into the horizon,

of growing old together

I

But I couldn't leave not yet I stayed, keeping him company, pretending he was still there

When I was a kid, I overheard my mom talking about how a person's sou dont just vanish after they

I die. She said it lingers for a while, staying close to the people it loved-especially for the first the something days

I didn't know if it was true, but I clung to the thought. I didn't want Hayden's soul to feel alone so stayed Watched over him until I felt like he was truly gone. Only then did I let myself think about leaving During those days, I cut myself off from the world. My phone stayed off I lived like Yuna used to-reading books, picking wildflowers, brewing tea from petals, and painting

I painted Hayden, again and again. Every stroke reminded me of the portraits Wayne had made of me hidden in that house.

Moming and night, I talked to Hayden like he could still hear me

okay? Say the stuff you never got to

hold you, but you're just gone. It hurts so bad sometimes, I wonder if I should follow you, just

"Hayden..."

to, hoping for an answer. But no

it felt like there was a

I sat by his side, the wind would brush against my

sunrises and sunsets.

last day you're here? Will you be gone

soon, too. I'll go back to work, back to normal life. And.... I'll face the people I need to face." I hesitated, then added. "And

by, lifting a strand of my hair and brushing it across my face. It even

in those quiet, unbearable moments when I missed him so much it felt like my chest might

now, I reached for that strand of hair.

wind picked up again, ready and gente le

leave When

creaked open and his voice, soft and steady called

flew open. The moment save him, I wrapped thy arms around fine herding in

him,

ran a hand through my hair. "Don't stay here alone

-

blurred in my memory. I just held onto him like I'd never be the