Chapter 414

Of course I was going. I didn’t even have to think about it. That amusement park? It was practically my baby – two years of blood, sweat, and tears. It held so many of my hopes, regrets, and… maybe even my second chance. The second I got the invite, old memories hit me like a movie reel that wouldn’t quit.

“Can I bring someone with me?” I asked Jace.

There was a pause. “Hayden?”

I stayed quiet, and he let out a low laugh. “Bring whoever you want. Just… make sure you come.”

That was new. Before, Jace would have tried to charm me into coming alone. No compromise. But now? He was different.

“Thanks,” I said, about to hang up, when his voice stopped me.

“Rea, my parents will be there tomorrow, too… We’ll be waiting for you.” His words carried a weight, like he wanted to make sure I couldn’t back out.

“Okay,” I agreed.

But he didn’t hang up. It felt like there was more he wanted to say, but he held back. I didn’t push it. In the end, I was the one who ended the call.

The amusement park’s grand opening was everywhere. Ads on every platform, every digital billboard. They were going all out. No surprise – RiverwaveCorp had always been a powerhouse, and Jace? His business sense was solid. No matter what went down between us, I couldn’t deny that. Wayne… he just couldn’t compete. Jace had always outshone him.

“Keira, isn’t that the park where you and Hayden first fell in love?” Yuna asked, nodding toward the TV ad.

I blinked. “Was it?”

“No,” Hayden said, flat as ever.

Yuna, not giving up, leaned in. “Then where?”

Hayden didn’t answer, so I filled in. “It was in Chiverton. Remember? That cute little courtyard I told you about.”

Hayden shot me a weird look but stayed silent. When he headed to the kitchen, I followed. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Yeah,” he muttered.

“Yeah?” I repeated, confused.

He glanced at me, his voice low. “It was when you kissed me for the first time.”

Chapter 41.4

Wait, what? My brain flashed back to that kiss, but before I could fully go there, Hayden added, “You probably don’t remember. You were a little kid back then.”

Suddenly, his words unlocked a memory I didn’t even know I had. A moment that felt like a dream – but it wasn’t a dream at all. It was real. A forgotten memory. I’d already had this man’s heart, even back then.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “A kiss? From a kid? You took that seriously?”

“I’m not kidding,” Hayden said, dead serious. “When you kissed me back then, I knew. I knew you were the one for me.”