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

Chapter 634

This lifetime, neither of us would ever reach Hayden again.

The thought twisted something deep in my heart, the way it always did when I thought of him.

The worst part? I couldn't tell her. Not yet. Not until I was sure her heart-both physically and emotionally-could take it. I'd need to talk to Lena, get Nate to give her a thorough check-up.. Because eventually, the truth would have to come out. Hayden was gone, and while I could shield her from that heartbreak for now, I knew I couldn't keep it buried forever.

"What do you want to tell Hayden?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay light. "Just a quick thank-you?"

"Exactly!" Yuna's face lit up as she hugged the admission letter close, her joy practically glowing.

I cleared my throat. "No need for that. Just thank me instead-I'm the one who

got you the letter."

Yuna blinked, surprised, and then her face broke into a playful grin. She gave me a goofy thumbs-up. "You're the best sis-in-law ever, Keira. Thanks!"

I accepted her gratitude with a calm smile. "You're welcome."

But Yuna wasn't about to let it go. "Still, you should call Hayden anyway."

bit back a sigh and scrambled for another excuse. "You just want to share the good news with him,

shaking her head, her tone softer now.

a brick. I hesitated, searching for something-anything-to say, but came

She frowned, her expression sharpening as she studied me like she was piecing something together. "Why don't you want to call him? Did

+25 BONUS

My heart lurched.

my head too quickly. "No, of

my arm. in a near-panic. She even dropped the admission letter she'd been holding so carefully.

one wrong word-or even a nod-and I was sure i I would

think of: his old profession. "No, Yuna, stop overthinking. He's... he's been called in for another mission. It's classified. He can't contact anyone outside." She frowned, unconvinced. "But Hayden retired, didn't

I said quickly, my voice steady but my eyes darting

she shot back, practically cornering

I handed her my phone. "Look, if you don't believe me, call him yourself. But I'm

about not being able to reach him. Instead,

sound casual but also firm. "They're dealing with a seriously bad guy. You saw what happened in Houston-he almost dragged you and

back to mine. "You're really not lying to me?"

voice steady

sagged, and her grip on my arm loosened. Her eyes flickered with worry and doubt, but