I let out a weakugh. Ron wasn’t the type to call just to shoot the breeze–he’d probably wanted to


    make sure I was still breathing.


    Lifting my wrist, I kissed the tiny bell dangling there. “Hayden, your buddy’s still got my back for


    you.”


    By evening, Wayne showed up at the office to pick me up.


    Standing in the golden light of sunset, he practically glowed, his whole figure framed like some kind


    of cinematic shot.


    People walking by couldn’t help but stare. A few bold girls even called out,” Mister, you’re so


    handsome!”


    Wayne didn’t even blink, his eyes locked on me like the rest of the world had faded to static.


    “Looks like you’re quite the heartbreaker now,” I teased, stepping closer.


    His smile was faint. “And you’re still as cheeky as ever.”


    “Any news on Demi?” I asked, the weight of my worry still pressing on me.


    “Not yet. If there’s news, you’ll be the first to know,” Wayne said, his tone steady. But then he


    hesitated. “I’ve had someone look into her boyfriend.”


    The pause made my stomach twist. “What is it?”


    His expression darkened. “The guy’s drowning in debt–online loans, high- interest ones. And he’s


    been seeing multiple women at the same time.”


    I didn’t need more than that to connect the dots. Demi’s suicide was starting to make a terrible kind


    of sense.


    “Where is he now?” I asked.


    “In jail.”


    I drew in a sharp breath. “Can I see him?”


    Wayne nodded. “I’ll arrange it,” he said, leading me toward his car.


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    Sliding into the passenger seat, I noticed a bouquet resting there. It wasn’t shy like roses, but


    simple and softvender mixed with baby’s breath. The kind of arrangement that felt thoughtful,


    almost calming.


    Wayne smiled softly, his eyes warm. “I can’t give you the stars you want, but I can at least offer you


    this.”


    His words were undeniably romantic.


    Between the bouquet and the way he spoke, it was clear–Wayne wasn’t holding back anymore.


    I pushed Demi’s situation to the side for a moment, meeting his gaze head–on.” Are you trying to


    pursue me?” I asked bluntly.


    He hesitated, just for a second, clearly caught off guard by my directness. Our eyes locked in the


    rearview mirror, and he didn’t flinch. “Rea, I just want to protect you,” he said softly.


    The words feltyered, their meaning obvious.


    Jace’s voice surfaced in my mind, sharp and bitter–how he’d told me being with Wayne would


    humiliate him. That lingering thought pushed me to ask, “Doesn’t my past bother you? Aren’t you


    afraid of people talking behind your back, saying things that could embarrass you?”


    Wayne stayed quiet for a beat too long, so I pressed on. “And Jace? Aren’t you afraid of how he’ll


    react? That he’ll turn against you?”


    Wayne’s smile turned bitter. “Back then, I was afraid of all that–what people would say, how Jace


    would react. That’s why I let so much time pass. Why I missed my chance with you.”


    I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “You should know… my heart belongs to


    Hayden. Even if…” I hesitated, locking eyes with him. “Even if he’s not here anymore.”


    I said it deliberately, watching for a crack in hisposure. But Wayne was stone -cold steady, not


    a flicker of emotion betraying him.


    “Rea,” he said softly, “Jace told me what happened to Hayden. I’m sorry–truly sorry–for your loss. I


    know this isn’t the best time to say this, but if I don’t speak


    up now, I might lose my chance again.”


    I knew what he meant. He feared Jace would swoop in, taking advantage of the void Hayden had


    left behind.


    And deep down, I knew Wayne had orchestrated Hayden’s death, clearing the way for himself. It


    was sickeningly ironic that he could stand there, proiming his devotion while knowing what he’d


    done.


    “Can you ept being with me, knowing my heart is still with Hayden?” I asked, cutting through the


    moment like a de.


    His steady gaze faltered, just slightly. “Yes,” he said finally. “I can ept that. I can ept your


    heart belongs to Hayden and even your past with Jace. As long as you’re by my side, none of that


    matters


    Such unwavering devotion.


    And yet, it was this very devotion that had killed Hayden.


    It hit me. I was a femme fatale.