Chapter 710

They say fixing relationships is better than breaking them, but here I was, playing the villain. I’d had the same conversation with Wade so many times I’d lost count. If he couldn’t figure out his feelings for Yuna by now, it was clear—he didn’t love her. Dragging this out would only hurt her more. It was better to push him to let her go.

“What are you saying? That I should leave Yuna?” Wade asked, confusion written all over his face.

I paused, choosing my words carefully. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Step back, give yourself space. Then you’ll know who you miss and who you actually love.”

Wade’s eyes drifted to Yuna, standing not far away. “She… relies on me a lot. If I don’t message her, or if I text her less, she overthinks things.”

Exactly. A girl in love doesn’t just want attention—she craves being part of someone’s life completely.

“And that’s why you have to do this,” I said bluntly.

Wade lowered his head, silent. I leaned in. “So, what is it? Are you unwilling to let her go, or have you just used to her being in your life?”

“Can you give me some time to think?” he asked, the same excuse he always gave.

“How long?” I pressed, refusing to let him stall.

“As soon as possible,” he muttered.

I folded my arms, not letting him off the hook. “One week. That’s all you get. In one week, you decide. If you like her, tell her. Be upfront and make it official. If she gets into KRA, stand by her as her boyfriend and support her. But if you don’t love her, be honest and let her go.”

Wade nodded. “I probably won’t need that long.”

“Good,” I said. The sooner he decided, the better—for Yuna’s sake.

By the time Xander joined us, Wade and I had been talking for a while. Xander glanced my way and said, “If there’s nothing else, we can head out now.”

“Hayden, don’t leave yet!” Yuna cut in, her voice bright. “Since Wade’s here too, let’s all have a meal together.” She shot me a meaningful look, and I knew exactly what she was doing—trying to get Wade and Xander to connect.

She wasn’t subtle. She wanted Wade in her future, and it showed.

But from the way she spoke, it was clear Xander had passed her test completely. So there it was—Xander was Hayden. No more doubt.

“We’ll pass. We have things to do,” Xander said.

That tone? Pure Hayden. He could act indifferent in front of me, but when it came to Yuna, his real feelings slipped through. He couldn’t hide the care he felt for the girl he’d practically raised.

I wasn’t jealous of their bond, but his refusal to admit who he was still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Why not? Let Wade treat us,” I teased, watching for Xander’s reaction.

If Wade had made up his mind, this might be the last meal we all shared.

Wade nodded easily. “Yuna’s been talking about you two for ages. Now that we’re all here, we should enjoy a meal together.”

“Yeah, Hayden, just this once!” Yuna chimed in, clinging to Xander’s arm and pouting. With three of us on board, Xander didn’t have much choice. He reluctantly agreed.

We picked a nearby restaurant. Once we arrived, Yuna and Wade went to place the order, leaving Xander and me alone in the private dining room.

“Looks like I owe you a bonus,” I said, half-playful, half-serious. “You managed to fool Yuna completely—she doesn’t suspect a thing.”

“Alright,” Xander replied coolly, his face unreadable.

His composure was maddening.