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

Chapter 625

+25 BONUS

It seemed that, aside from Yara, Ron was another person who truly knew Hayden.

At least, he knew more about the dangers Hayden had faced than I ever did.

But I wasn't ready to dig into Hayden's past struggles. Just thinking about the pain he might have endured made my chest tighten. Knowing more would only make me miss him more.

"I don't believe it," Ron said again.

I got it. Deep down, I didn't fully believe Hayden was gone either. To me, it felt like he'd just gone somewhere out of reach.

"Then let's just think of it as him taking a long trip," I said softly, shaking the little bell on my bracelet.

Its crisp, clear chime filled the silence, soothing the ache in my chest like a gentle touch.

How strange. How wonderful.

This little bell, the one Hayden left me, felt like a lifeline pulling me back from the edge.

this, and then I'll give you

""What is it?"

it to you,"

say something-anything-but the look on his face. stopped me. His usual cheerful demeanor was

me, Hayden was the love of my life. Losing him felt like a piece of my soul had been ripped out. To Ron, Hayden was like a brother, his closest friend. For him, it must have been like losing a part of himself. After Ron left, I stayed in my office, absently shaking

chimes kept me company

house. I'd tried reaching out to her yesterday after coming back, but her phone had been off, and she hadn't responded

I decided to

Young opened the door. Her cautious expression was clear as she asked,

Young. I'm Keira

for a moment, then tears welled up

Whatever was going on with Demi, it

me inside, she said, "We don't even know if she's alive or dead anymore. If you

was, I wouldn't have come here. But I couldn't add to Mrs. Young's worry, so I nodded. "I'll do my best

haunting me. "What happened to Demi? Why would she try to take her

didn't say a word to us.

ever tell you anything about her boyfriend?" I

her voice breaking with frustration. "Do you know where