Chapter 332

It seemed they had been watching for a while, meaning they’d seen our affectionate moments. Great. Their expressions weren't pleasant. Since we’d bumped into them, avoiding a greeting was impossible. Hayden and I approached, saying hello to Lindey, Matthew, and Wayne.

Lindey smiled first. “Rea, Hayden, what are you two doing here?”

I glanced at Hayden. “Visiting a friend.” I kept it vague, omitting Yuna. Hayden fiercely protected his sister's privacy; if Matthew or Lindey knew she was in the hospital, they’d want to visit, and explaining that to Yuna would be complicated. It was best to keep it under wraps.

I turned to Matthew, who leaned on Lindey, looking pale and unwell. “What happened to Matthew?”

“He’s—” Lindey began, but Matthew interrupted. “Just high blood pressure, nothing serious.”

Lindey’s look screamed “liar,” but she didn’t press him. He was clearly hiding something, as I was with my recent distance. We weren’t as close as before. I remembered how, previously, even a minor cold had Matthew texting me for help.

“Rea, need any help?” Wayne offered.

“No, we’re good,” I replied with a polite smile.

An uncomfortable silence fell until Hayden intervened, smoothing things over. “Mr. Johnston, perhaps we could accompany you to the doctor?”

It was a thoughtful gesture, reflecting well on me.

Matthew waved it off. “No need. You two handle your business.”

Lindey added, “Rea, come see Matthew again later.”

“Alright. Hayden and I will go now.”

Hayden nodded politely, and we left, hand in hand.

We hadn’t gone far when I heard Lindey sigh. “She’s really grown distant.”

“Stop overthinking,” Matthew muttered.

A lump formed in my throat. Hayden must have noticed; he squeezed my hand, reassuring me.

We were spending the day with Yuna for her pre-surgery exams. A heart donor had been found, and despite the exhausting tests, Yuna was radiant, liberated. Her mood was infectious; Hayden and I couldn’t help but smile more.

Of course, fate intervened; we ran into Matthew again while Yuna was having her heart checked. My little white lie was exposed, but nobody seemed to mind, given the circumstances.

Leaving after Yuna’s check-up, she asked, “Keira, were those your relatives?”

“My foster parents,” I said, giving Matthew and Lindey new identities in Yuna’s eyes.

“And that tall guy—their son?” Yuna pressed.

I smirked. “Think he’s cute? Interested?”

Yuna shook her head. “No, but he kept staring. His expression was… weird.”

I laughed. “You’re so nosy! You were watching him closely, huh?”

“I have to keep an eye on Hayden,” Yuna said with a playful grin. “What if another guy tries to steal you?”

She was adorable.

Hayden gently tapped her head. “And what would you do? Think you could stop him?”

“Of course,” Yuna puffed out her chest. “I’d tell him Keira’s my brother’s girl, and he’d need my approval first.”

Hayden and I burst out laughing. Yuna, pleased, looked proud. But her face soon grew serious again.

“Keira, do your foster parents have other kids?” she asked.