Chapter 572

Of course, I couldn’t help myself. I turned to look. And just as I did, Hayden glanced up. Even through the car window, it felt like he was staring straight into me. A sharp jolt hit my chest. But the moment didn’t last long. Yara cut in, her voice clear through the glass. “Hayden, let’s go inside.”

He turned, lifting his leg to walk beside her, and I could feel my defiance rising. Before I even thought, I yanked the car door open. As soon as my feet hit the ground, Hernan followed, stepping out beside me. He watched me closely. “Wanna go say hi?”

I didn’t even need to think about it. I did want to see if he felt any of the guilt I was expecting. If he’d remember anything he’d ever said to me. Any regrets. It wasn’t that I couldn’t move on. I just wanted to know if he had any.

“Haddy,” Hernan called out, like he could read my mind. Without me saying a word, he took my hand and led me toward Hayden and Yara. Hayden stopped, turning with Yara to face us.

My breath caught, my heart racing—a crazy mix of anger, satisfaction, and maybe a little something else I couldn’t put a name to. Didn’t Hayden say he didn’t care about me anymore? Well, here I was. Totally fine. Standing in front of him, with Hernan—everyone’s nightmare—by my side.

Hernan walked right up to them and greeted Hayden first. “Haddy, we meet again.” Hayden had humiliated him before, but Hernan’s tone was smooth, no sign of any old wounds. He was good at keeping his cool. Or maybe this was all just an act.

Hayden gave nothing away. “I doubt you’re happy to see me.” Hernan just gave a little smile, shaking his head. “Not at all. I was actually looking forward to it.” Then he glanced at me, a question in his eyes. “Right, Keira?”

Standing there, staring at Hayden, I’d hoped for some flicker of guilt or remorse. But now, up close, I realized it was pointless. He’d broken up with me. I’d made it clear I was done. So why did I care? Focusing on any pain over him was just torturing myself.

In that moment, something clicked, like a weight lifted. I didn’t need to waste any more energy on him. He didn’t care about me, so why should I treat him any differently than a stranger?

Chapter 577

I refused to look at him. Instead, I turned to Hernan. “Let’s go inside.” Hernan nodded, pulling me away, past Hayden without a glance. Still, his scent lingered in the air, and I felt it all over again.

“Nice job,” Hernan murmured with a smirk once we were out of Hayden’s sight. I didn’t answer. We walked into the stadium, and as we entered, I spotted Jace. He was staring intently at the door, like he was waiting for me to walk in.

Before we’d left the car, I’d asked Hernan something he’d avoided. Now, seeing Jace approach, I asked again. “Hernan, is it him?” This time, Hernan didn’t dodge the question. He just looked at me, his face serious. “If he knew you were thinking that, he’d be heartbroken.”

That told me everything. I’d guessed wrong. Jace had seemed like the most obvious answer, but it wasn’t him. So who else was behind this mess? And why?

A wave of confusion hit me as Jace walked up to us. His face was tight, scanning me quickly, relaxing only when he saw I was fine. But then, when he noticed my arm linked with Hernan’s, his eyes went dark.

“Herman, the match is over. I’m taking Keira with me,” Jace said, his voice firm.