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

my dreams tonight, okay? Say

bad sometimes, I wonder if I should follow you, just to make it stop." "Hayden, I found this little bird today. It was

"Hayden..."

I needed to, hoping for an answer. But no one

it felt like

by his side, the wind would brush against my

and sunsets. On

it? Is today the last

back to normal life. And.... I'll face the people I need to face." I hesitated, then added. "And I'll come after the ones who did

spoke, a soft breeze passed by, lifting a strand of my hair and brushing it across my face. It even grazed

Only in those quiet, unbearable moments when I

for that strand of hair. "Hayden... is that you?

picked up again, ready and gente

to leave

voice, soft and steady called out

moment save him, I wrapped thy arms around fine

him,

hair. "Don't stay here alone Go back

-

said more, but it blurred in my memory. I just held onto him like I'd never