Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

This lifetime, neither of us would ever reach Hayden again.

The thought twisted something deep in my heart, the way it always did when I thought of him.

The worst part? I couldn’t tell her. Not yet. Not until I was sure her heart–both physically and emotionally–could take it. I’d need to talk to Lena, get Nate to give her a thorough check–up..

Because eventually, the truth would have to come out. Hayden was gone, and while I could shield her from that heartbreak for now, I knew I couldn’t keep it

buried forever.

“What do you want to tell Hayden?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay light. “Just a quick thank– you?”

“Exactly!” Yuna’s face lit up as she hugged the admission letter close, her joy practically glowing.

⚫ I cleared my throat. “No need for that. Just thank me instead–I’m the one who

got you the letter.”

Yuna blinked, surprised, and then her face broke into a playful grin. She gave me a goofy thumbs– up. “You’re the best sis–in–law ever, Keira. Thanks!” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I accepted her gratitude with a calm smile. “You’re welcome.”

But Yuna wasn’t about to let it go. “Still, you should call Hayden anyway.”

This stubborn girl, I bit back a sigh and scrambled for another excuse. “You just want to share the good news with him, huh? Don’t bother–I already told him.”

“It’s not that,” Yuna said, shaking her head, her tone softer now. “I miss him. There are things I want to say to him.”

Her words hit me like a brick. I hesitated, searching for something–anything–to say, but came up blank.

Yuna wasn’t dumb. She frowned, her expression sharpening as she studied me like she was piecing something together. “Why don’t you want to call him? Did something happen to Hayden?”

My heart lurched.

I shook my head too quickly. “No, of course not.”

“But I haven’t been able to reach him since Houston,” she said, grabbing my arm. in a near–panic. She even dropped the admission letter she’d been holding so carefully. “Hayden’s in trouble, isn’t he?”

Her fear was palpable, and for a moment, I froze. Just one wrong word–or even a nod–and I was sure it would shatter her..

I scrambled for a way out, latching onto the only thing I could think of: his old profession. “No, Yuna, stop overthinking. He’s… he’s been called in for another mission. It’s classified. He can’t contact anyone outside.”

She frowned, unconvinced. “But Hayden retired, didn’t he? Why would he be sent on another mission? You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”

“I’m not,” I said quickly, my voice steady but my eyes darting to the side.

“Then call him!” she shot back, practically cornering me.

I realized there was no point in arguing further, so I handed her my phone. “Look, if you don’t believe me, call him yourself. But I’m telling you, you won’t get through–he’s on a mission, and his line’s cut off.”

Yuna just stared at the phone like it might bite her. She didn’t try to dial, though. Guess some part of her knew I wasn’t lying–at least about not being able to reach him. Instead, she mumbled under her breath, sounding more lost than anything. “He promised me… he said he wouldn’t do anything dangerous again.”

“This is different,” I said, trying to sound casual but also firm. “They’re dealing with a seriously bad guy. You saw what happened in Houston–he almost dragged you and Wade into it.”

Her eyes snapped back to mine. “You’re really not lying to me?” Yuna asked.

“Of course not. Stop overthinking,” I said, keeping my voice steady even though I couldn’t quite meet her eyes.

For a second, her shoulders sagged, and her grip on my arm loosened. Her eyes flickered with worry and doubt, but I could see her trying–really trying–to

believe me. Still, she wasn’t fully buying it

“Don’t stress, okay?” I said gently. “The second Hayden reaches out, I’ll make sure

he calls you.”

But she wasn’t letting it go. Her gaze sharpened, a new determination settling in. “If Hayden doesn’t contact me within a month, something’s wrong. I know it.”

“Why would you even think that?” I asked, honestly confused.

She picked up the crumpled admission letter, brushing it off with steady hands. Her voice was calm but unshakable. “The longest Hayden’s ever gone without contacting me is seventy–one days. It’s already been forty–two.”

Yuna’s bond with Hayden was undeniable. She wasn’t the type to be fooled–not when she was so closely tied to him.

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