Why else would he spend all those years helping everyone, scraping by just to pay for his own


    sister’s heart transnt?


    And with Jace… if I hadn’t given him blood, it would’ve been like watching him die right there in front


    of


    1. me.


    I couldn’t figure out what was going on in Hayden’s head, and I was done pretending I didn’t notice.


    So, I opened my eyes, catching him off guard, making it impossible for him to hide that tenderness


    in his gaze.


    His hand, which had been gently tracing my cheek, froze. The warmth in his eyes flickered–toote


    to hide it.


    After a moment, he pulled his hand back, but I was faster. I grabbed it, holding tight. “Hayden, what


    are you doing? You clearly care, so why are you putting me through this?”


    Tears spilled over. I swear, I was one of those people who cried way too easily.


    I always told myself to stay strong, but my tears never got the memo. Fine–let them fall. If he was


    gonna see me cry, at least he’d know how much I cared, how much I loved him.


    Maybe, just maybe, he’d finally get how much he meant to me.


    But he just stood there, silent, not even acknowledging my tears.


    A minute ago, he was so careful, brushing them away while I slept. Now that I was awake, crying


    right in front of him? Nothing.


    The way he just stood there, saying nothing–it was killing me.


    “Hayden, what do you want? Say something! How can you say you love me and still push me


    away?” My voice cracked, totally giving me away.


    “I’ve told you already,” he replied, his tone low.


    I shook my head. “I don’t buy it. You’re not the type to misunderstand or get jealous for


    “And don’t pretend this isn’t killing you, too.


    of that v


    non


    “If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t be dragging Ron into all–night work sessions or sneaking cigarettes.


    ”


    Sometimes, I’d catch a faint whiff of smoke on him, something he only did when he was seriously


    troubled.


    His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re right–I do love you. So yeah, this hurts.”


    He was hurting too?


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    Those words only made my own pain re, the sting of betrayal even sharper. “Then why are you


    still breaking up with me?”


    Hayden’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I love you, Keira, but not enough to watch you


    risk your life for another man while you’re with me.”


    “I already told you–that doesn’t mean I love him. I was just-


    He cut me off. “Even if you don’t love him, it’s still not okay. When you’re with me, your life should


    be mine. If you can give it up so easily for someone else, then maybe you don’t love me enough.”


    His words felt so unfair, and my frustration rose up. “I-”


    “Keira, you once told me that if you love someone, it has to be with your whole heart. I feel the


    same. Do you get that?” He interrupted again, leaving me speechless.


    It wasn’t that I didn’t love himpletely. But the truth was, I’d nearly risked my life to save Jace.


    It reminded me of my time with Jace. He’d said he loved me, but he’d always chosen Tanya, leaving


    me behind again and again.


    I’d sworn I’d never treat someone the way Jace had treated me. Yet here I was, hurting Hayden in


    the same way.


    This was on me. My fault.


    I moved closer, gripping his hand tighter. “Hayden, I was wrong. I swear it won’t happen again. Can


    we… give this another chance?”


    He stayed silent, and I looked up at him, feeling a humility I’d never felt before. “I don’t want to


    break up. I love you. So much.”


    More tears spilled over, stinging as they fell, and I pressed against his chest, wrapping my arms


    around his neck. “Please, Hayden. Let’s fix this. Let’s not end us, okay?”


    My tears soaked into his neck as I held him close, his familiar scent filling my senses.


    Holding him again felt like everything I’d lost was suddenly within reach, like he could make me


    whole. For a second, I thought his silence meant he was softening, ready to give in.


    But then he spoke, shattering that hope. “Keira, I don’t make decisions lightly. Once I’ve made up


    my mind, I don’t go back.”


    My arms around his neck froze, going still.


    I knew what he meant. He was serious about ending things, refusing to even consider


    reconciliation. “Hayden… think this through. This is your one and only chance,” I said, my voice


    trembling.