Chapter 365

There was nothing wrong between Hayden and me—just the awkwardness stemming from his secret. But I couldn't burden Yuna with it. She was too delicate, and her heart condition couldn't handle the extra stress.

"No, nothing's wrong," I reassured her with a smile. "You've seen how Hayden and I are. We're fine."

Yuna studied me with those wide, innocent eyes, and for a second, I had to look away. Her gaze was too pure, too insightful; it felt like it could pierce the turmoil in my mind.

I raised my hand defensively, laughing softly. "Seriously, nothing's wrong. If you don't believe me, you can question Hayden when he gets back."

"Keira," Yuna murmured, hugging my arm and resting her head on my shoulder. "If Hayden ever messes up, just hit him or yell at him—but don't leave him, okay?"

Her soft, pleading tone tugged at my heart. I rubbed my head against hers affectionately. "Alright, I'll leave it to you to handle him."

Yuna nodded, all seriousness. "I'll always be on your side."

Her fear of me leaving Hayden struck me. It revealed how much she valued me, how much I meant to someone else.

"If I'm gone and you leave him too, he'll be all alone. That'd be so sad," she whispered, taking me completely by surprise.

"What are you talking about? You're going to be just fine," I said quickly, trying to reassure her.

Yuna didn't reply, but I sensed the fear underlying her silence. So much uncertainty weighed on her.

No one wanted to die—not Yuna, not Matthew. But life had thrown them both undeserved battles, and they had to keep fighting.

To shift the mood, I steered the conversation back to the concert. We laughed and chatted until my phone buzzed with Lena's call. "Still with Yuna?" she asked.

"Yep. What's up?"

"Someone sent me a box of strawberries. Come grab some for that little girl of yours to snack on," Lena replied. Even as a strict department head who refused gifts, people showered her with fruit, which she then passed along.

"Sure, I'll swing by now," I said, welcoming an excuse to stretch my legs. Yuna and I were exhausted from talking.

When I reached Lena's office, her assistant handed me not only strawberries but also cherries and blueberries. Lena had been called into surgery, so I couldn't thank her personally.

As I walked back, the bags felt far heavier than I'd anticipated. I was struggling when a pleasant male voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Need some help?"

I looked up and saw Wade. Before I could answer, he'd already taken the fruit from my hands.

"No, really, I've got it," I insisted, though it was clearly untrue.

"Where are you headed?" Wade asked, his voice catching slightly, as if hesitating. I saw his throat tighten as he swallowed. "Which floor?"

"Surgical ward, twelfth floor."

"Got it, I'll take it up for you," he said, already striding ahead.

I watched him for a moment before hurrying to catch up. Remembering our previous conversation, I blurted out, "How's your advisor doing?"

Wade's grip on the bags tightened. "Same as before."

"Still with her every day?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"Yeah."

It was just one word, but hearing it from Wade felt different. The way he said it—it felt heavier, burdened with unspoken weight.

I took a deep breath. "Is there anyone else staying with her?"

He was quiet for a few seconds before answering, "Yes, but she's been like this for almost two years now. The family's patience is wearing thin."

His words hit me hard, a wave of sadness washing over me. Before I even realized it, I asked, "Can I visit her?"