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

Chapter 716

My heart jumped into my throat the second I saw him.

Sure, Hayden had told me not to freak out, but yeah-easier said than done..

"Doctor, how is he?" I stepped forward, my voice wobbling..

"His injuries are severe. There's a blood clot pressing on his brain nerves, and he's currently in a coma."

The doctor's words were so perfectly measured that I couldn't tell if Hayden was actually this hurt or if this guy was just auditioning for Best Supporting Actor in Hayden's plan.

Cole and Wayne both frowned, but Cole went full drama mode. "A coma? Are you serious? The guy got roughed up, not hit by a truck!"

The doctor didn't flinch. "I already explained-there's a blood clot."

Cole was about to argue more, but Wayne cut him off, all smooth and calculating. "I'll bring in another specialist to examine him. If anything happens, I need answers."

That comment? Definitely for me. Classic Wayne, using "concern" as a power move to figure out if Hayden's injuries were fake.

The doctor nodded, clearly annoyed but keeping it professional.

I'd had enough of their little chess match. Ignoring both of them, I followed the nurse to the ward. Of

all smug, "you're not seriously confusing Xander for your... well, you know,

glaring.

on Hayden, but getting him tangled up with

You're free to love whoever you want," Cole said with this exaggerated

the hospital room door, I stopped

can

toward the room.

to figure out if Hayden was faking or actually

guys. Not a single one of them

+25 BONUS

Chapter 716

with it. With an

Cole smirked. "Together?"

head was wrapped in gauze, and a drainage tube extended from his

sight hit me like a flashback to Houston. Back then, I'd figured out his injuries had been part of an act. But even now, knowing this might just be another performance, my chest tightened, and I couldn't even glance at that blood-filled tube for more than a second. But Cole? Not even a flicker of unease. He circled Hayden like he was inspecting an art exhibit, then leaned down and muttered, "Xander, your acting could use

I bit down a curse. He thought

I snapped, storming over to grab his arm, yanking him back before he could pull more stunts. "He's lying there like that, and you're calling it