Chapter 162

Matthew froze, and I felt him sway slightly. Instinctively, I reached out to steady him. "Matthew!"

He turned, his expression tense. "Why are you asking this so suddenly?"

I considered Hayden's words but couldn't tell Matthew the truth. I shrugged casually. "Just curious. No big deal."

His smile vanished, and his gaze sent a chill down my spine.

"Rea, your parents' car accident was an accident. I was at the scene. The police were there; there's a full report," Matthew said gravely.

I hadn't been there. I didn't know the details firsthand. Matthew had kept me away, protecting me from something awful. Yet, a lingering regret persisted.

"If you doubt me, check the records yourself," Matthew added, his face paling. The earlier lightness had vanished.

He and my dad had been incredibly close, almost brothers. Mentioning my parents' deaths likely stirred old grief, and I saw the pain in his eyes.

I looped my arm through his. "It's okay. I believe you. I was just asking."

Matthew stared, as if about to speak, then said nothing. After a long pause, he sighed. "You go ahead. I'll sit here a while."

He'd planned to go downstairs with me, but now he'd changed his mind. My heart sank. "Matthew…"

"I'm fine. Just go," he said, waving me away.

I left the study but didn't go downstairs immediately. I leaned against the wall, staring blankly down the hallway, my thoughts racing. Matthew's reaction was odd. Something felt wrong. If he were hiding something, why had he seemed so open and sincere? For a moment, I was unsure what to think.

Eventually, I went downstairs and overheard Lindey chatting with Hayden. I'd worried they wouldn't connect, or worse, that Lindey would be difficult. Hearing her laugh, however, brought relief.

What had Hayden said to make Lindey, usually skeptical, laugh? Curious, I approached and overheard Lindey mid-sentence. "Rea was such a sweet, mischievous little thing. She was this tall, always calling me 'Mom' whenever she saw me."

Chapter 167

"I remember saying, 'I wish she were my daughter.' And her mom laughed, saying, 'Well, you can make her your daughter-in-law—just marry her to Jace or Wayne.'"

"But Wayne was too old, so we figured Jace would be perfect."

This was the first time I heard the story of my "betrothal" to Jace instead of Wayne.

"Right after her mom said that, Rea declared she wanted to marry Jace—even gave him a cute nickname, no hesitation," Lindey said with a smug smile.

So, it wasn't Hayden making her laugh—it was Lindey, subtly teasing and perhaps goading him.

"She gave all the older boys cute nicknames," Hayden replied smoothly. "Always running around, asking for piggyback rides."

I froze. How did he know that? Then I realized he was likely returning Lindey's playful barbs.

I reached the bottom of the stairs, and Lindey and Hayden turned to look at me. A moment of silence passed.

Lindey broke the silence. "Where's Matthew? Why didn't he come down with you?"

I recalled Matthew's earlier behavior. "He said he wanted to be alone for a while."

Lindey studied my face, seemingly understanding. "Rea, Matthew loves you like his own daughter."

"I know," I replied softly, a wave of sadness washing over me.

Hayden stood and came to my side, taking my hand. I felt the intensity of his gaze. My hand was cold, and he must have noticed.

"Got anything else you want to say to Mrs. Johnston?" Hayden asked smoothly. "If not, we should leave. Don't want to keep Mr. and Mrs. Johnston up."