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

Chapter 717

I threw a look at Cole. "I'll figure out who's behind this-and they'll regret it."

Cole let out a soft laugh. "First time I've heard you talk so tough."

I shot him a glare. "Whether it's tough talk or not, you'll find out soon enough. Now go. You've done enough."

Cole had milked this scene long enough. With Hayden staying perfectly still through the whole act, Cole finally gave in and turned to leave. But not without tossing one last remark over his shoulder. "Ms. Kay, he's just a stand-in. Don't let yourself get too attached again.

I didn't bother responding. Watching him walk out the door, I exhaled slowly. My eyes drifted back to Hayden, lying there so still

He wasn't a stand-in. Not for anyone. He was himself-always himself.

For a long moment, I just stood there, staring at him. Finally, I leaned in and whispered, Hayden, they're all gone. You can drop the act now." Silence.

Thinking he was messing with me, I slid my hand under the blanket and gave him a light pinch. "Seriously, it's just me here. No one else." Still nothing. My chest tightened, panic creeping in.

"Hay—”

Before I could finish, something warm brushed against my lips. My eyes flew wide as I froze in place.

bottom lip, his voice low and teasing. "If you

pinched him again, harder this

gaze was steady. "Wanted to see

This bastard.

any idea how freaked out I

he said, those two words he always used to excuse his reckless stunts.

me that urn the weight of it, the finality-came crashing back. My world had felt like it +25

Chapter 717

into a million

saying all that, I

hissed through his teeth. "Kiki,

deserved it. The pain I'd gone through-physical, emotional, everything-was because of

in bandages and the bloodied drainage tube right there, I couldn't keep up the fight. Letting out a breath I loosened my grip and

fake," Hayden

me. But those punches and

"You're quite

tone caught somewhere between bitter and

to lose the pawn to catch the

another sharp pinch under

bare skin-no shirt, just him and my endless pinching. After everything he'd endured earlier, now he had to deal with this. Honestly, his whole act was a next-level masterclass in "suffering for the plan." "How long are you planning to keep this up?" I asked. "You can't just