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

Chapter 636

Yara's question hit me sideways. I hadn't dared let my mind go there.

I hadn't dared to entertain such a thought,

I mean, I saw him collapse, heard the doctor say the surgery didn't work, and yeah, I even held his ashes. That's as final as it gets.

Sure, I've dreamed about him coming back. But those were just desperate little fantasies.

Life isn't some cheesy movie. Hayden died. End of story. No rewrites, no miracles. I hated it, but the truth didn't care about my feelings.

"I wish he wasn't," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Then why are you here, grilling me if you've already made peace with it?" Yara shot back.

I studied her for a moment. "Because something feels off," I said finally.

Her eyes narrowed. "What exactly feels off?"

at her. "You're way too calm. Not even a little wrecked-that's what feels off." Yara didn't even blink.

told myself the same thing a hundred

bothering you?"

words stuck in my throat. It was all just

stayed quiet, Yara pulled a slip of paper from her

frowned. "What

she said, nodding

the words contusion twisting into something

the silence. "The ring was ready months ago. The jeweler tried calling Hayden, but when he didn't

this now? Trying to mess

own. "What would I even do with it? It's not for me. That ring was always for you. I was just there to

together before adding, "You must've hated me when you thought

just the thought of it had gutted

so much to keep you safe, Rea. Every step, every decision-he made it for you. And in the end, it cost him

I looked down at the paper again, the weight of

flicked to my wrist. "Nice bracelet. The design's

Yara laughed anyway. "That red string you've tied