Chapter 400

“Baked pears. He specifically ordered them in the middle of the night,” Gavin explained, placing the still-warm bag on the seat. “He said your throat sounded hoarse, so he got these to help.”

The warmth seeped into my palms as I stared at the bag and the tea. It was such a thoughtful gesture—one that left me more confused than comforted.

Gavin started the car. “Ms. Kay, should I take you to Emberholm?” he asked, referring to Willow Residences.

Hearing that, I realized how Jace had found me outside my apartment that night. Clearly, Gavin had shared my address.

“No,” I said flatly.

Gavin paused, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. “Then… where should I take you?”

“Pull over,” I said quietly.

Gavin jolted slightly but obediently pulled to the curb. He glanced back, clearly confused. “Ms…”

I interrupted. “I’m not going home. I’ll go to the surgical recovery unit.”

For a moment, I’d been so preoccupied that I almost forgot—Yuna was still recovering in the hospital.

Gavin’s expression shifted, as if he understood. He knew about Yuna’s surgery, which meant Jace probably did too.

“You haven’t rested at all. Are you sure you’re okay?” Gavin asked, though I wasn’t sure if he was genuinely concerned or just worried about repercussions.

“I’m fine,” I said, reaching for the door handle.

“Ms. Kay,” Gavin called, his gaze dropping to the bag of pears. “Mr. Johnston really does still care about you. If it weren’t for my mistake… maybe you two would already be married.”

He was still blaming himself.

I didn’t want to discuss it. With a faint smile, I replied, “He cares about other people, too.” Gavin seemed to want to say more, but I didn’t give him the chance. I stepped out of the car. “Be sure to eat the pears while they’re warm,” he called after me.

I waved and walked briskly toward the hospital.

As the elevator ascended, I glanced at the pears. The soft, golden fruit glistened in the clear glass bowl; a few mint leaves were perfectly arranged on top. They looked as flawless as the first time Jace had bought them for me. I’d loved them so much then that I’d even posted a picture on social media.

But now, holding the same pears, a tightness formed in my throat, making it hard to swallow.

When I reached Yuna’s room, I expected her to be asleep. But she was sitting up in bed, reading—not a romance novel this time, but study materials.

“Keira, what are you doing here? Weren’t you and Hayden supposed to be at the competition?” Yuna asked, looking behind me as if expecting him.

“We didn’t go. Something came up, so I came back early,” I said, placing the pears on the table and sitting beside her.

Yuna’s face filled with concern. “You didn’t have a fight with Hayden, did you?”

I laughed softly. “No, we didn’t fight. If we had, trust me, I wouldn’t be here.”

“That’s not fair,” Yuna teased, grinning. “Even if you two broke up, you’d still have to take care of me.”

She quickly realized her words and smacked her lips. “But you won’t break up! No way! You’ll always be my sister-in-law.”

I grabbed her hand. “Really, Yuna, we’re fine. Hayden and I are better than ever. I came back because a family member is seriously ill.”

Yuna still looked skeptical, so I added, “He just had emergency surgery. He’s in the ICU now.”

“Oh, thank God,” Yuna breathed, relieved.

“How about you? How are you feeling today?” I asked, watching her face.

“Great!” Yuna said enthusiastically, gesturing toward her books. “That’s proof.”

I picked up the book and flipped through it, raising an eyebrow. “Thinking about going to college?”