Chapter 597

+25 BONUS

I flipped through the journal, curiosity growing with each page, determined not to miss anything. One of the entries was from before Wayne had returned to the country. It read: [Over fourteen hundred days… it’s time to go back.] Fourteen hundred days – exactly four years.

I kept flipping, then suddenly stopped when my eyes landed on a page that made my heart race. [She’s finally not his anymore.] The date? The day Jace and I were supposed to get our marriage license. That was the day I found Tanya in the penthouse Jace and I were meant to move into after our wedding. The day I walked away from Jace for good.

My hands shook as I stared at the words. Just as I took a deep breath to steady myself and keep reading, I heard a car engine outside. I didn’t know who it was, but I couldn’t focus on the journal anymore. Reluctantly, I set it back exactly where I’d found it and headed downstairs.

Yara was opening the door for Hayden. He stood there, his foot pressed against one man’s chin, forcing him to look up. “Tell me everything now, or don’t bother speaking for the rest of your life.” I’d never seen Hayden like this – cold, unyielding. It sent a shiver of unease down my spine.

The two men on the ground weren’t fighters, but they were tough enough to stay silent. In one swift, brutal move, Hayden twisted his foot. I heard two sharp cracks. One of the men groaned, his face going pale as he collapsed.

“Even if they won’t talk, we know they’re Bruno’s men. Keira already mentioned it,” Yara said, glancing at me.

Hayden’s gaze shifted to me, and I stepped out onto the porch. I said one thing, my voice firm. “I want to go home.” His jaw tightened. “Fine. I’ll have someone take you.”

Yara smoothly interrupted, “I’ll take her. There’s nothing else for me to do here, and I can take your sister back too.” Hayden hesitated, his eyes on me.

“I can manage on my own,” I said, stubbornly. But then Hayden turned to Yara, saying, “Alright. You take her.” I stood there, speechless.

Yara suddenly asked, “Keira, what exactly did Bruno say to you on the phone?” I recalled Bruno’s words, a chill crawling up my spine.

Hayden must’ve sensed my unease. “Don’t bother.”

“If Bruno’s goal is to get to Keira, letting her leave like this could put Jace in danger,” Yara said, cutting straight to the heart of it. She understood what was going on. I remembered the sound of Jace being punched and kicked over the phone. “Aren’t you going to try to rescue him?” I asked.

Yara met my gaze without hesitation. “Jace is the bait. Bruno wants us all to fall into his trap.”

“I’ll handle this,” Hayden said to her. “You go book the tickets.” Yara sighed, then pulled out her phone. “Alright.” As she typed, she glanced at me. “Keira, what’s your ID number?”

“I’ll book my own ticket!” I snapped, turning away. Behind me, I heard Yara mutter, “If we book together, we can sit next to each other.” I didn’t want to sit next to her.

“I’ve got it,” Hayden cut in, smoothly reciting my ID number from memory. My chest tightened. That number – eighteen digits long – had no resemblance to his. But he remembered it perfectly.

I froze, Yara’s words about him having his reasons echoing in my mind. My heart pounded as I turned to Hayden. “Hayden, why did you really leave me? What reason could you possibly have?”