Hayden’s eyes narrowed, and I instinctively gripped him tighter. “Is it true?”


    “Why would you think that?‘ he countered.


    I was about to mention Lindey when, out of nowhere, Yuna’s voice called from a distance, “Keira,


    your phone’s been ringing nonstop!”


    She was hurrying over, despite her heart condition. She wasn’t supposed to be running.


    “Okay, I got it!” I quickly jumped off Hayden’sp and rushed over to her.


    It was Lindey calling–multiple times. Something had to be up.


    “Lindey?” I answered immediately.


    “Rea, why haven’t you been picking up? I thought something happened!” Her voice wasced with


    panic.


    “No, I just didn’t have my phone on me.”


    She let out a relieved breath. “You scared me. I was imagining the worst.”


    ‘Til keep it with me next time,” I promised before asking, “What’s going on?”


    “I’m furious!” Lindey’s voice came out sharp and full of anger.


    I couldn’t help but smile. “Who got you mad this time? Matthew?”


    “If it were him, I’d knock some sense into him! No, It’s Jace.”


    I sighed. Lena was right–no matter how over things were between Jace and me, as long as I stayed


    connected to the Johnston family, his name would keep finding its way back into


    my life.


    “What did he do now?” I asked, ying along.


    “He’s cut us off because of Tanya Twain! Now, he’s just… gone,” Lindey fumed, her voice shaking


    with


    frustration.


    But Falready knew from Wayne that it was Matthew who cut ties with Jace.


    I knew why things had escted to this point, so I didn’t push for details. “Lindey, he’s probably just


    mad. Give him time.”


    “It’s not like that,” she snapped. “He’s told Wayne everything. He’s noting back. He’s done with


    the Johnston family.”


    My brow furrowed. “What did he say?”


    “He told Wayne to take care of us because he can’t anymore. He even handed over thepany to


    him, And get this–he wants Wayne to look after you too. Can you believe that?”


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “He’s acting like this is goodbye forever, like he’s walking out on all of us,” she spat, clearly hurt.


    I wasn’t sure how to respond. This was their family business, and I didn’t want to get sucked into


    the


    drama. But something Hayden had said earlier made me think there was more to the story. “Lindey,


    maybe there’s something else going on,” I suggested carefully.


    Chapter 31-4


    She didn’t seem to pick up on my hint. “What could be going on? He Just wants to marry that widow


    who’s carrying someone else’s baby!”


    That left me speechless.


    “Jace thinks he can manipte us with this stunt, but I won’t fall for it. If he wants to leave, fine. As


    far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a son anymore,” Lindey dered, her voice hard with anger.


    But I knew she didn’t mean it. If she really didn’t care, she wouldn’t have called me.


    “Just try to calm down,” I said gently. “You know how he is–he’s been like this since he was a kid.


    Maybe once he cools off, he’lle back around.”


    I could feel frustration building in me. This whole conversation was draining.


    “He’s going to be the death of me,” Lindey vented, clearly not done with her rant.


    I stayed silent, realizing just how much other people’s negativity could weigh on you. Venting might


    make them feel better, but it leaves you feeling dr


    After a beat, Lindey shifted the conversation. “Rea, where are you? I haven’t seen you in ages.”


    nced at the river, its surface sparkling under the fading light. Hayden and his siblings‘ soft


    laughter floated in the air. A small smile tugged at my lips. “I’m with Hayden, visiting his


    hometown.”


    There was a pause on the other end before Lindey spoke again. “He proposed, didn’t he?”


    I was about to reply when she added, “I saw your post on social media.”


    “Yeah,” I said, unable to hide my smile. “I said yes.”