hapter 379
Hayden glanced over and asked, “Do you want to go over?”
I shook my head gently. This wasn’t a moment where Wade needed someone else. He needed to be alone with his thoughts.
Hayden didn’t push it. After a few seconds, I turned my gaze back and said softly,
“Let’s go.”
As the car pulled away, I caught one last glimpse of Wade in the rearview mirror. He was still standing there, staring up at the sky like he was trying to find some kind of answer in it. His grief felt almost like a physical weight, pressing down on everything around him.
Even when we reached Yuna’s room, my mind was still stuck on what I’d seen.
Hayden didn’t say anything, but as we walked in, he slipped his hand into mine, his fingers lacing with mine. That simple gesture said it all.
I smiled up at him. “Don’t worry, I won’t let it affect Yuna
“I just don’t want it to ruin your appetite,” he teased, squeezing my hand. “Everyone has their own burdens. Only they can carry them.”
“Mm.” I nodded, and we pushed open the door to Yuna’s room
Yuna was sitting on her bed, reading a book. The moment she saw us, she tossed it aside and practically bounced over. “Hayden! Keira!”
She was so full of energy now, a far cry from the quiet girl we met at that retreat. She was like a bird who’d finally been let out of its cage.
“You’re here early! Did you bring food?” she asked, her eyes glued to the container in Hayden’s hand
“We
didn’t bring food just for you. We’re eating together,” I teased, watching her face light up.
She leaned her head on my shoulder, a mischievous grin on her lips. “In that case, I bet I can eat an extra meat bun.”
“There are no buns,” Hayden said, tapping her lightly on the forehead. “You need to stick to a light diet. No greasy food.”
Yuna pouted dramatically. “Ugh, I’m practically turning into a rabbit with all this healthy food. I want meat.”
Hayden set the container down, raising an eyebrow. “At best, you’ll turn into a fluffy bunny.”
“Keira, look at him!” Yuna whined, trying to get me on her side.
I smiled, patting her head. “Don’t worry, after your surgery, Hayden’s going to cook you three meals a day-
with meat.”
Yuna’s eyes went wide. “Wait… surgery? In three days?
We hadn’t told her earlier, wanting to make sure everything was set before overwhelming her with the
news.
“It’s back on,” I said, holding her hand and looking into her hopeful eyes. “But these next three days, you
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Chapter 379
have to be extra careful. No colds, no greasy food. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?”
Yuna turned to Hayden, and when he nodded, she broke into a huge smile–right before bursting into tears.
“You guys are so mean,” she sobbed, hugging me tightly. “You knew and didn’t tell me right away!”
I laughed, hugging her back. “We’re awful, I know. Keeping secrets from our little cutie.”
After breakfast, I decided to go find Lena, but the image of Wade on those hospital steps kept playing in my mind. Something about it gnawed at me, and I couldn’t shake the unease.
On impulse, I changed direction and headed to Narelle’s room instead.
This time, it was completely different from my last visit. The room was filled with people–more arriving every minute. I stood quietly at the door, watching as tears were wiped away and hushed conversations filled the air.
Wade was there too, standing completely still. He hadn’t said a word, but his eyes were locked on Narelle, lying motionless in the bed. It was like his whole world had narrowed down to just her.
If I hadn’t figured it out by now–that Wade was in love with Narelle–then all the relationships I’ve had might as well have been for nothing.
“Leave,” a middle–aged woman suddenly snapped.
Wade didn’t react, just kept staring at Narelle like he hadn’t heard a thing.
“Wade Smith,” she repeated, louder this time. “Leave.”
Finally, Wade spoke, his voice calm but heavy with emotion. “Are you really going to do this to her?”
Silence. No one responded.
Wade turned to a man nearby, his expression tense. “Mr. Yule, are you really going to do this to her?”
Mr. Yule… that must be Narelle’s dad.
