Chapter 620

“Rea, you’re back?” Wayne’s voice carried a mix of surprise and excitement as his eyes met mine.

“Yeah, just got back today,” I replied.

Lena didn’t miss a beat. “Just got back and already bumped into you? What are the odds?” Her tone was all innocent charm, but the undertone was sharp enough to slice through Wayne’s polished demeanor.

He gave a quick nod toward the upper level. “Some high school friends organized a get-together here a few days ago.”

Before I could respond, someone called out to him. “Wayne, we’re heading out!”

He waved toward the group but lingered, glancing back at our table. “Do you two need anything else?” His tone was casual, but the offer was clear—he was ready to cover the bill.

Lena beat me to it, flashing a polite smile. “Already paid through my phone. Thanks, though.”

Wayne’s focus shifted back to me. “Rea, after you’ve had time to settle, come over for dinner. My parents have been asking about you.”

“Let me treat you to dinner instead,” I said, pausing just long enough to add, “And thanks for handling things in Houston.”

I watched his face carefully, searching for even the smallest crack in his composure. But his expression stayed smooth. “Alright,” he said simply.

With a nod to Lena, he turned and walked off. Through the glass, I tracked him as he climbed into his car and drove away.

Lena tapped my foot under the table, snapping my attention back. “What’s going on? Is he still hung up on you?”

I stared at the steaming soup, swirling my spoon in the broth. “I think Wayne’s the one behind all of this.”

Her jaw dropped. “What?”

“What I’m about to do might sound insane, but don’t be shocked.”

I told Lena everything I’d uncovered in Houston.

She inhaled sharply. “Crazy, how? You’re not seriously thinking about getting close to Wayne to dig for answers, are you?”

My eyes drifted, unfocused. “I can’t let Hayden’s death be meaningless.”

Hayden was killed by Bruno, but Bruno was just a pawn. The real enemy was the one pulling the strings—the person who wanted Hayden dead and orchestrated it all.

Chapter 621

“Hayden wouldn’t want you risking your life for this,” Lena said. Then she hesitated. “And… what about Jace? He’s your ex. If you get involved with his brother, what’s that going to do to him?”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. Lena could see the determination in my silence. She reached over and gripped my hand tightly. “Fine. Do what you have to. If it comes to it, I’ll hand you the knife myself.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, making my throat tighten. It wasn’t easy to find a friend like that—someone who’d stick with me, no matter how reckless or irrational my choices seemed.

Later, when I went to see Jace, I arrived just as they were changing his dressing. The scene was brutal. With no way to numb the pain, he had a towel shoved in his mouth to muffle the sounds, while three nurses worked meticulously to scrape away the dead tissue. The smell of blood and decay hung thick in the air.

Once, I would’ve been sick just watching. But now? Nothing. I’d become numb to it all.

When the nurses finished and left, Jace lay there, his face pale, his hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. He looked like he’d been through hell—and back again.

I pulled up a chair beside his bed, my gaze falling on the freshly bandaged wound. “You’ve been dealing with this for a month?”

At the sound of my voice, his eyes shot open. For a second, disbelief flickered across his face. His lips moved like he wanted to speak, but no sound came out.

He looked so thin now, the weight of pain and exhaustion etched into every line of his face. The Jace I used to know—strong, confident—felt like a shadow of the man lying in front of me.

“Why are you still here when the wound isn’t healing?” I asked, pressing him harder. “Why not transfer to another hospital? Or go for better treatment?”

“I’m fine,” Jace muttered, brushing me off like it was no big deal.

I wasn’t buying it. “I already know,” I said bluntly. “The wound won’t heal because of the toxins and bacteria from the crocodile’s teeth. It keeps festering, and if this continues, they’re going to have to amputate.”

Lena had filled me in before I came. Jace’s injury was my fault, and I couldn’t shake the responsibility. I had to convince him to get the treatment he needed.