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."

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

now. "I miss him. There are things I want to say

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

expression sharpening as she studied me like she was piecing something together. "Why don't you want to

+25 BONUS

My heart lurched.

too quickly. "No, of

she said, grabbing my arm. in a near-panic.

moment, I froze. Just one wrong word-or even

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? Why would he be sent on

quickly, my voice steady but my eyes darting to the

call him!" she shot back, practically

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

didn't try to dial, though. Guess some part of her knew I wasn't lying-at least about not being able to reach him. Instead, she mumbled

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

to mine. "You're really not lying

voice steady

Her eyes flickered with worry and doubt, but I could see