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.

nipped at my bottom lip, his voice low and teasing. "If you keep calling my name like that,

again, harder this time. "Why

gaze was steady. "Wanted to see how

This bastard.

he have any idea how freaked out I

said, those two words he always used to excuse his reckless stunts. "When I faked my death last

didn't even have to think about it. The memory of Yara handing me that urn the weight of it, the finality-came crashing back. My world had felt like

Chapter 717

a million

instead of saying all that,

through his

The pain I'd gone through-physical, emotional, everything-was

right there, I couldn't keep up the fight. Letting out a breath I loosened my grip and asked, suspicion in my tone, "That doctor's whole explanation... was it fake?

Hayden

that it shocked me. But those punches and kicks he'd taken earlier? Definitely not

"You're quite

muttered, my tone caught somewhere

you have to lose the pawn to catch

earned him another sharp pinch under the

and my endless pinching. After everything he'd endured earlier, now he had to deal with this. Honestly, his