Chapter 208

“Thanks for loving my brother, for accepting him!” Yuna’s voice, though soft, was brimming with emotion as she offered me tea with a careful, almost formal gesture. Her eyes shimmered, holding back tears.

My chest tightened, but I grinned. “You act like Hayden’s unlovable.”

Yuna pouted slightly. I accepted the tea, sipping it. The taste was sweet, light, almost magical—far superior to anything I’d ever experienced.

“Keira, Hayden doesn’t look for girlfriends because of me,” Yuna said, her voice quieter now. “He’s scared that whoever he marries might not like me… might hate me for being sick.”

She hesitated, unsure if Hayden had already told me. She probably worried that knowing about her illness might change my perception of him.

I took another sip, letting the warmth soothe me. “Do I seem like the kind of person who’d judge someone for being sick? Especially someone as sweet as you?”

A smile touched her lips, and I saw her relax, slightly.

“Did Hayden tell you about my condition?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yes, of course. Why do you think I came all this way? I wanted to meet you, and then…” I gestured around the peaceful garden, shaking my head with a laugh.

Yuna’s eyes widened with curiosity. “And then what?”

Knowing her sensitivity regarding Hayden, I decided on honesty. “Then I thought about bringing you back with me. But now, having seen this place, I’m not sure that would be fair.”

This garden, this quiet life—it was perfect for her. It wasn't just a home; it was a sanctuary. My own life offered nothing comparable.

I understood why Hayden left her here. This wasn’t just a house; it was where she could truly heal.

“If you want me to come, I’ll go,” Yuna said, completely serious. Her words surprised me.

I stared at her, dumbfounded. “You’d really leave?”

She didn't answer immediately, instead taking slow sips of her tea, lost in thought.

Watching her, I realized she was torn between the safety of her present life and a yearning for something more.

Perhaps we all navigate this—the comfort of the familiar versus the allure of the unknown. It’s not greed; it’s simply human nature. We all want to explore beyond our comfort zones.

For Yuna, illness had kept her confined. To me, this life seemed peaceful, but to her, it might feel like a cage.

“I want to get better,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “I don’t want Hayden to keep worrying about me.”

Her mention of her illness prompted my question: “Has Hayden tried getting you treatment?” I recalled his promise to do anything if I helped with her medical expenses.

“He has. But the doctors say I need a heart transplant,” Yuna said, biting her lip. “It’s risky, and my blood type is rare. Hayden doesn’t want to take the chance.”

My hand tightened around the teacup. I hadn’t anticipated this. Hayden was delaying the surgery out of fear of the outcome. He was terrified of losing her.

Without surgery, Yuna remained in a precarious balance, constantly at risk. Yet, she would be alive, with him daily, a testament to his love and care. With surgery, she might live a healthy, free life, but faced the terrible possibility of losing everything.

The prospect of Hayden losing Yuna hit me hard.

“He’s just scared you might not make it through,” I said, voicing the unspoken fear in his heart.

Yuna nodded. “I know. But I want to be healthy. I don’t want Hayden to worry about me every single day.”