Chapter 711

Xander kept that stone-cold poker face, and honestly? I was covering it. I grabbed my phone and started scrolling, pretending not to care.

“You really pull guys in, huh?” he said out of nowhere.

I glanced up, raising a brow. “Obviously. I’m a total catch. Everyone’s obsessed with me.”

I smirked. “What’s the problem? Is Wade getting too much of my attention for your liking?”

He sipped his water, cool as ever. “No.”

Yeah, okay. Sure, Jan.

I was ready to roll my eyes and move on when he hit me with, “You only love Hayden.”

Yikes. Cue the most awkward silence ever.

I almost laughed. Like, really? The guy was walking around all smug, thinking I was still hooked on him?

Spoiler: not completely wrong. I mean, I still had the ring he gave me and this bracelet with the dumb little bell charm. The bell jingled softly when I flicked it, breaking the tension. “Yeah, you’re right—I do love him,” I said, voice light. “But let’s be real, how sustainable is that? Loving someone you can’t even touch? Kinda tragic, don’t you think?”

I shot him a sly smile. “Maybe one day, I’ll meet someone else. The world’s full of distractions, right?”

His eyes darkened. “So your love isn’t steadfast?”

“Exactly,” I said with a shrug. “If someone wants a shot, they better make it while I’m still interested. Once I’m over it? Game over.”

I said it casually, but an image of Jace coughing up blood crashed into my brain. Yeah. He was Exhibit A of that rule.

Xander stayed quiet, and I wasn’t about to poke the bear.

The tension fizzled as soon as Yuna and Wade came back. Yuna was all sunshine and sparkles, practically skipping into the room, while Wade looked like he was deep in his own world.

With Yuna around, the vibe flipped fast. At one point, she started teasing me about marriage.

“Hayden, it’s been ages since you proposed to Keira! When are you finally sealing the deal?” she said, grinning.

“Very soon,” Xander said, so chill you’d think he’d already booked the venue.

“Very soon’ isn’t a real deadline! I’m losing patience here,” Yuna huffed before turning her playful energy toward me. “Right, Keira? You’re dying to lock him down too, aren’t you?”

I rolled with it, nodding like I was in on the joke. “Oh, I can wait. But if I do lose patience, and he’s still dragging his feet? Guess I’ll have to find someone else.”

Yuna gasped dramatically. “Hayden, did you hear that? She’s calling you out!”

“I heard her,” Xander said, his eyes locking with mine. “But it’s not happening. I won’t give her the chance.”

And that was my cue to dip. I stood, muttering something about needing the bathroom, but instead made a beeline for the balcony.

At first, Xander’s whole two-faced act—Hayden for Yuna, Xander when it was just us—felt like a fun little game. But now? It was seriously grinding my nerves.

I leaned on the railing, letting the cool air calm me down. Below, koi swirled lazily in the fountain.

Then I heard footsteps. Wade.

“Something bothering you?” he asked.

I didn’t look at him, just kept my eyes on the fish. “Doesn’t everyone have something weighing on them?” I mumbled. “Even those fish probably have their own little problems.”

“Like what? Planning a jailbreak?” Wade joked, and I couldn’t help it—a small smile slipped out.

“Maybe,” I said, voice soft. “Human worries, fish worries… it’s all just stuff hiding under the surface, isn’t it?”

For a moment, it was just the sound of the fountain between us. Then Wade broke the silence.

“I’ve made up my mind. After dinner tonight,” he said with a heavy exhale, “I’m going to leave Yuna.”

The words hit me like a splash of cold water. I turned to him, searching his face. “Wait, what? Are you sure? Don’t do something impulsive.”

“It’s not impulsive,” Wade said, shoulders sagging. “Every time I’m with her, I ask myself… am I in love with her? Or am I drawn to the heart she carries?”

His voice cracked slightly. “It’s killing me. I can’t keep pretending—”

A loud thud cut him off, making us both spin around. Yuna was standing a few steps away, pale as a ghost.