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."

girl, I bit back a sigh and scrambled for another excuse. "You just want to share the good news with him, huh? Don't

head, her tone softer now. "I miss him.

like a brick. I hesitated,

expression sharpening as she studied me like she was piecing something together.

+25 BONUS

My heart lurched.

shook my head too quickly. "No, of

Houston," she said, grabbing my arm. in a near-panic. She even dropped the admission letter she'd been holding so carefully. "Hayden's in

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

out, latching onto the only thing I could 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 he?

I said quickly, my voice steady but my eyes darting to the

him!" she shot back, practically

handed her my phone. "Look, if you don't believe me, call him yourself. But I'm telling you, you won't get through-he's on a

phone like it might bite her. She didn't try to dial, though. Guess some part of her knew I wasn't lying-at least about

to sound casual but also firm. "They're dealing with a seriously bad guy. You

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

I said, keeping my voice steady

grip on my arm loosened. Her eyes flickered with worry and doubt, but I could see her trying-really