Chapter 542

The night breeze was cool. Under the streetlight, Hayden’s shadow stretched long and tall, almost like he’d somehow grown since we’d been together. Standing beside him, my shadow mingled with his, overlapping just enough to feel like we were one. The sight sent a familiar ache through my chest, so sharp it was hard to breathe.

He felt so far above me now, with that whole marriage alliance with the Drago family hanging between us. The pain made my words come out a little harsher than I meant. “Mr. Hart, what exactly did you want to say?”

He didn’t look at me; his eyes stayed fixed on the night sky. “Didn’t you want to watch Steve’s match? It’s next week. I got you a ticket. You can go.”

My heart clenched. So that was it—he wasn’t really offering; he was just trying to push me out of the picture. Now that he was marrying someone else, he was worried I’d get in the way, mess up his big plans? Since we broke up, every word from him felt like another cut, each one deeper than the last.

I bit my lip. “Who said I was going?”

I wanted to shout it, to sound defiant, but my voice came out weak, shaky, like even I didn’t believe myself. It wasn’t lack of conviction—it was just the pain, pressing so hard that if I said one more word, I knew the tears would start falling. But I didn’t want to cry in front of him. This was my last shred of pride.

Once, I’d cried, begged him to stay, because I thought it was my fault, because I thought he’d misunderstood me. But now? Now he was pushing me away, all for someone else. He was afraid I’d be a complication.

So, yeah, there was nothing left here. If I cried now, it would just be giving away what little dignity I had left.

“He’d be really happy to see you there,” Hayden said, his tone edged with something that almost sounded…bitter. If this were before, I might’ve thought he was jealous. But now? His words were pure mockery.

My throat tightened painfully. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, forcing myself not to break.

Hayden pressed his lips together. “Steve’s got a lot of support. As long as nothing disrupts him, he should take first place easily.”

He finally looked at me. “You missed his last win—don’t miss this one. Besides…” He hesitated. “This might be his final match. After this, he’s planning to retire for good.”

So, he was basically telling me it was now or never if I wanted to see Steve compete again. But he didn’t get it—watching Steve’s match wasn’t exactly top of my list right now.

“You’re saying all this because you want me gone, aren’t you?” I finally managed to get the words out.

He didn’t respond. The silence hit harder than anything he could’ve said.

“Why?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Is it really because you don’t want me to miss Steve’s match?”

Still nothing. That silence told me everything.

So, I finished the thought for him. “I know why. You’re worried I’ll mess up your engagement, right? Afraid your fiancée might find out about me and get jealous?”

As I spoke, the sting in my nose got worse, and I felt this wave of weakness wash over me, making me feel small and pathetic. But I swallowed it down, pushing past the bitterness. I forced myself to stand tall, to not let him see even a hint of desperation.