Chapter 333
Chapter 333
My face stiffened at Yuna’s question, but Hayden lightly knocked her on the forehead. “What are you, a
census taker?”
Yuna pouted. “I was just asking.”
I turned to Hayden. “All the tests are done. Why don’t you take her to get something to eat? I need to check on something.”
Of course, Yuna, ever curious, asked immediately, “What are you checking on?”
But Hayden understood right away, smoothly guiding her away. “You didn’t used to talk this much. Did being here turn you into a chatterbox?”
“I’m just afraid I won’t get the chance to uk this much later,” Yuna said softly, her words hitting us both like a punch to the gut. Hayden went silent, and my heart twisted painfully.
So, Yuna was scared–scared she might not make it through the surgery.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Hayden said gently, tapping her head again.
Yuna clung to his arm, and they slowly walked away until they disappeared from view. Only when I couldn’t see them anymore did I turn back to go find Matthew.
“Real” Lindey asked when she spotted me.
“I’m worried about Matthew,” I admitted.
Earlier, I’d told Yuna that Lindey and Matthew were my foster parents because, in my heart, that’s how I saw them–they were my mom and dad.
“I told you, it’s nothing.” Matthew said, but his voice was weak. No way it was nothing.
“If you think of me as your daughter, then don’t lie to me. What’s really going on?” My voice cracked as ! spoke.
“He’s just been having high blood pressure and some chest tightness,” Wayne cut in, trying to cover for him.
Lindey quickly nodded. “Yeah, he’s been sneaking some alcohol at wedding receptions lately, and it’s caught up with him.”
But even though she said it lightly, I wasn’t convinced. I glanced at Wayne, looking for confirmation.
“Mom, Dad, why don’t you wait here while I step outside to make a call?” Wayne said, making up an excuse to leave.
I followed his lead. “I’ll grab some water for you both, I added, stepping out behind him.
Wayne was already waiting for me outside. “Let’s sit at the café for a bit. Mom’s got things handled here.”
We headed to the nearby café. Once seated, I asked quietly, “What’s really going on with your dad?”
“He’s been coughing a lot. Came in for a check–up last week, and the results suggest it might be small cell lung cancer.
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I couldn’t find the words at first, just stared at him in shock. Wayne looked at me, waiting.
“Rea?” he prompted gently.
“Has it been confirmed?” My voice shook.
“Almost,” Wayne replied, his tone heavy and somber.
The silence that followed felt endless, but I finally managed to ask, “What do the doctors say? Is there a treatment plan?”
“They’re running more tests to see if it’s spread. After that, they’ll decide on treatment.” Wayne took a sip
of his coffee.
“Does your mom know?”
Wayne shook his head. “We’ve only 1 er it’s some inflammation in his lungs. You know how Mom is- she can’t keep a secret, especially not from Dad. And we don’t want him finding out yet.”
“And Jace?” I pressed. “He needs to know, right?”
“We’ll tell him once it’s confirmed.” Wayne’s reasoning made sense, so I didn’t push. I was just an outsider
in all this, after all.
Wayne paused before looking me straight in the eye. “Rea, Jace leaving the company had nothing to do with me. You know that, right?”
Honestly, at this point, it felt so irrelevant. Like, ancient history,
I didn’t say a word, and Wayne’s smile turned bitter. “Yeah, thought so. Still don’t believe me, huh?”
“She doesn’t believe anyone,” a voice chimed in, and next thing I knew, someone yanked out a chair and dropped into it without even asking.
I glanced over and, surprise surprise, it was Brad. Of course. Just what I needed.
Brad shot me that signature smirk of his. “Keira, playing the field much? How many guys are you juggling these days?”
Seriously? He never knew when to shut up.
Wayne’s face darkened. “Who are you?”
“Me? I’m her little boy toy. You know, the kind she pounced on the first time we met–ahhh-”
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