Chapter 376

Hayden didn't ask questions, stopping immediately. I added, "It's fine. Let's go upstairs." In the darkness, the image of the person by the car flashed before my eyes. I hadn't expected Jace to find me—this apartment is about to be demolished. But somehow, he knew. And he came anyway. What was the point of showing up now?

Hayden's long strides were quick, two steps at a time. "Open the door," he said, slightly breathless. I fumbled with the keys. The second we stepped inside, Hayden lifted me onto the shoe cabinet, his eyes locked on mine. In the dark, his gaze was intense, like the night ocean—deep, dangerous, as if it could pull me under. I swallowed, trying to speak, but his lips were on mine before I could.

"Kiki, you can have it however you want now," Hayden muttered, shrugging off his jacket, fingers tugging at his collar. Earlier, by the car, I had craved him, desperate for his touch. But now… it was him. Except… the spark I'd felt earlier was gone. The urgency had vanished, and I knew it wouldn't return. Not tonight. But Hayden… he was still consumed by that need, just as I had been before.

Maybe he sensed the shift in me. He stopped, resting his head against my neck, his breathing heavy and tense. Neither of us spoke. We remained frozen. After a long moment, his breathing slowed, and he lifted his head. I reached for him, my hand resting on his chest. "Hayden…"

He looked down, and my heart skipped a beat. Had he seen Jace downstairs? Was he reading too much into my silence? "I… my period hasn't ended yet," I whispered.

"Mm." That was all he said. It was the kind of answer I'd heard before, but this time, it felt cold, disappointed. "Please don't overthink it," I pleaded.

"I'm not," he replied, his voice soft but firm as he gently squeezed my hand. "You're the one overthinking."

"Shower, then sleep," Hayden said, lifting me from the cabinet and carrying me toward the bathroom.

He was always like this—so patient, so steady. No matter how I acted, he never got angry. That side of him made me feel guilty. Just as he was about to leave the bathroom, I grabbed him, pulling him back to kiss him again. Hayden's hand pressed firmly on my waist. "Kiki, do you think I'm easy to push around?"

I froze, caught off guard. Hayden looked down, frustration flickering in his eyes. "You take advantage of the fact that I can't be harsh with you—that I won't scold or push you. And so, you keep pushing me." This six-foot-two man, with that look of quiet frustration, sounded almost like a child who'd been holding in his feelings for too long.

I didn't know what to say. My mouth opened, but no words came out. He slowly released my hand and walked out. I stood there, feeling like a child who had messed up and didn't know how to fix it. I didn't shower. I stood there, it felt like forever, before pushing open the bathroom door and running out. "Hayden…"

He was at the door, his hand on the knob, and turned. My lips trembled. "I'm sor—"

Before I could finish, he interrupted calmly. "I'm not leaving. I'm just going to my room to grab something. I'll be right back." As soon as he said that, tears welled up in my eyes, spilling over into a steady stream. I didn't even know why I was crying. I was the one who had teased him, who had lit that spark—only to leave him hanging.