Yuna was so lonely, she practically begged me to stay


    I only had two days off, but to spend more time with her, I asked Ron for an extra two.


    But all good things woulde to an end, and eventually, I had to go.


    Before I left, Yuna packed me some flower tea brewed with morning dew and food steamed with


    flower pollen and petals. She was determined to give me everything she cherished most.


    I could tell she’d grown really attached to me, and that made me feel a kind of responsibility I


    couldn’t quite exin.


    “Keira,e visit me when you have time,” Yuna said, avoiding my eyes.


    I could see the tears welling up, though she tried to hide them.


    She was this perfect mix of fragile but incredibly strong on the inside.


    “Okay,” I said quietly, not trusting myself to say much more.


    I felt the sting in my nose too, worried I might start crying before she did.


    Goodbyes are like the softest des–they cut the deepest.


    “I’ve already asked a friend to contact the doctor. Once it’s all set, Hayden and I wille pick you


    up,” I said, hugging her tight, trying to give her a little hope.


    “Alright, I’ll be waiting for you,” Yuna replied, her words giving me the push I needed to keep going.


    On the way back, I shot a message to Lena. She told me toe straight to her ce as soon as


    my flightnded.


    This time, I flew back instead of taking the high–speed train. I slept through the whole flight, my


    dreams filled with memories of Yuna–us gardening, strolling by the river, staying upte, swapping


    stories in bed.


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    A flight attendant woke me when wended. It was already evening. I grabbed a taxi, but instead of


    going home, I headed to the repair shop to pick up my car.


    Before I got there, my phone rang. It was Jace.


    Ever since he and Tanya went public, Jace hadn’t bothered me, so if he was calling now, it had to


    be important.


    I picked up, but before I could say anything, Jace blurted out, “Did my dad really go gray


    overnight?”


    His question hit me like ice water. How was he only finding out about this now? Dayster? And the


    fact that he was asking me meant he hadn’t even seen Matthew himself.


    I had no idea how to respond. I couldn’t find the words to express how angry I was.


    “Rea, say something,” Jace pushed, sounding desperate.


    “What do you want me to say? You could go see for yourself, couldn’t you?” I snapped, my


    patience- carefully built up from those quiet days with Yuna–crumbling in seconds.


    The silence on the other end was deafening. I was about to hang up when Jace finally spoke.


    “They won’t let me in the house anymore.”


    ‘Serves you right.‘ Those words screamed in my


    head.


    +25 BON


    “Rea, I’mpletely alone now,” he said, his voice sounding utterly broken.


    But I didn’t feel sorry for him. Instead, I shot back, “This is what you chose.”


    “Heh,” he let out a bitter, hollowugh. “Yeah, I did. I deserve this.”


    At least he was aware of it.


    “Rea, is my dadpletely disappointed in me now?” Jace asked, and the sheer stupidity of the


    question made my blood boil.


    Matthew had gone gray overnight because of him–disappointment didn’t even scratch the surface. It


    was heartbreak, frustration, anger, and a deep sadness only Matthew could fullyprehend.


    Jace once imed his parents treated him and Wayne equally, but as an outsider, I knew better.


    They’d always favored Jace, even if just a little more.


    And now, he’d pushed them to the point of total disillusionment.


    “Rea, can I ask you for a favor?” Jace’s voice was soft, almost pleading–something I’d never heard


    from him before.