Of course I was going.


    I didn’t even have to think about it.


    That amusement park? It was practically my baby–two years of blood, sweat, and tears. It held so


    many of my hopes, regrets, and… maybe even my second chance.


    The second I got the invite, old memories hit me like a movie reel that wouldn’t quit.


    “Can I bring someone with me?” I asked Jace.


    There was a pause. “Hayden?”


    I stayed quiet, and he let out a lowugh. “Bring whoever you want. Just… make sure youe.”


    That was new. Before, Jace would’ve tried to charm me intoing alone. Nopromise. But


    now? He was different.


    “Thanks,” I said, about to hang up, when his voice stopped me.


    “Rea, my parents will be there tomorrow, too… We’ll be waiting for you. His words carried a weight,


    like he wanted to make sure I couldn’t back out.


    “Okay,” I agreed.


    But he didn’t hang up. It felt like there was more he wanted to say, but he held back. I didn’t push it.


    In the end, I was the one who ended the call.


    The amusement park’s grand opening was everywhere Ads on every tform, every digital


    billboard. They were going all out. No surprise–RiverwaveCorp had always been a powerhouse,


    and Jace? His business sense was solid. No matter what went down between us, I couldn’t deny


    that.


    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Wayne… he just couldn’tpete. Jace had always outshone him.


    “Keira, isn’t that the park where you and Hayden first fell in love?” Yuna asked, nodding toward the


    TV ad.


    I blinked. “Was it?”


    “No,” Hayden said, t as ever.


    Yuna, not giving up, leaned in. “Then where?”


    Hayden didn’t answer, so I filled in. “It was in Chiverton Remember? That cute little courtyard I told


    you about.”


    Hayden shot me a weird look but stayed silent.


    When he headed to the kitchen, I followed. “Did I say something wrong?”


    “Yeah,” he muttered.


    Yeah?” I repeated, confused.


    He nced at me, his voice low. “It was when you kissed me for the first time.”


    Chapter 41.4


    Wait, what? My brain shed back to that kiss, but before I could fully go there, Hayden added, “You


    probably don’t remember. You were a little kid back then.”


    Suddenly, his words unlocked a memory I didn’t even know I had. A moment that felt like a dream–


    but it wasn’t a dream at all. It was real. A forgotten memory.


    I’d already had this man’s heart, even back then.


    I couldn’t help butugh. “A kiss? From a kid? You took that seriously?”


    “I’m not kidding. Hayden said, dead serious. “When you kissed me back then, I knew. I knew you


    were the one for me.


    Chapter