Chapter 494

“Hayden, what’s wrong with Keira? Is she sick?” Yuna’s voice broke through the haze around me.

“Hayden, why aren’t you saying anything? Keira wouldn’t come home with me—are you two fighting?”

“How much longer until she wakes up?”

I slowly opened my eyes, finding Yuna clinging to Hayden, her eyes red with worry. She must have been terrified when I fainted like that.

Hayden’s face was tense, his jaw set. “Stop overthinking. The doctor said she’s fine.”

“Then what about you two? Are you fine?” Yuna pressed, clearly not buying it.

Hayden hesitated. “I’ll explain later.”

“Hayden!” Yuna raised her voice, almost scolding him. “So, you are fighting with Keira. Why? You promised you’d take care of her the way you do for me!”

“Yuna, there are things you don’t understand. Please, don’t make a fuss. Just go home, okay?” Hayden softened his voice, trying to calm her.

“No way. I’m staying until Keira wakes up,” she said stubbornly.

Hayden looked frustrated but kept his cool, trying to be patient. “If you stay here, I won’t even get a chance to apologize when she wakes up.”

Yuna blinked, a hopeful look crossing her face, and a little smile tugged at her lips. “Fine, I’ll go. That’s the brother I know.”

“Come on, I’ll have someone drive you home,” Hayden said, gently guiding her toward the door.

But Yuna shook her head. “Just let me check on Keira one more time.”

She came back over, and I quickly shut my eyes, pretending to still be out of it. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel her gaze, heavy with worry. She turned to Hayden, voice soft. “She’s lost so much weight, and she looks so pale. And now she’s fainting from anemia… What’s really going on with her, Hayden?”

So… I was anemic. Guess giving blood to Jace took more out of me than I’d realized. I’d saved him, but left myself running on empty.

When Keira’s better, you should bring her home with us… I’ll cook for her and help her get her strength back.

“Hayden, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“You love Keira so much, so why are you mad at her?” Yuna’s question made me grip the sheets; I wished to hear what he’d say, too.

“It’s my fault. I upset her,” Hayden finally admitted.

Well, he got that right. Hearing him own up to it stirred this new ache in my chest, and I felt my eyes prickle.

“Hayden,” Yuna said, moving to stand right in front of him. She gave him a couple of light, playful punches on the arm. “When Keira wakes up, you’d better apologize. Big time.”

Hayden glanced over at me. “I will.”

Yuna gave him a satisfied look and finally left. The second the door clicked shut, tears slipped down my cheeks.

A few minutes later, Hayden came back. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. He sat by the bed, just sitting there, staring at me.

Then, after what felt like forever, I felt his hand gently brush away a tear at the corner of my eye. His touch was so soft, like he was afraid I’d break. Then his fingers traced down my cheek, brushing the corner of my mouth before resting lightly under my chin… Every move was so careful, so tender.

So, he still loved me. He wouldn’t be here, wouldn’t be touching me like this if he didn’t care. But if he loved me, then why? Was it because I’d given blood to Jace? But I’d explained everything. Hayden’s never been petty—he’s got a heart too big for that.