Chapter 716

My heart jumped into my throat the second I saw him. Sure, Hayden had told me not to freak out, but yeah—easier said than done.

“Doctor, how is he?” I stepped forward, my voice wobbling.

“His injuries are severe. There’s a blood clot pressing on his brain nerves, and he’s currently in a coma,” the doctor said. His words were so perfectly measured that I couldn’t tell if Hayden was actually this hurt or if this guy was just auditioning for Best Supporting Actor in Hayden’s plan.

Cole and Wayne both frowned, but Cole went full drama mode. “A coma? Are you serious? The guy got roughed up, not hit by a truck!”

The doctor didn’t flinch. “I already explained—there’s a blood clot.”

Cole was about to argue more, but Wayne cut him off, all smooth and calculating. “I’ll bring in another specialist to examine him. If anything happens, I need answers.”

That comment? Definitely for me. Classic Wayne, using “concern” as a power move to figure out if Hayden’s injuries were fake. The doctor nodded, clearly annoyed but keeping it professional.

Meanwhile, I’d had enough of their little chess match. Ignoring both of them, I followed the nurse to the ward. Of course, Cole trailed right behind me like an annoying shadow.

“Ms. Kay,” he started, all smug, “you’re not seriously confusing Xander for your… well, you know, that other guy, are you?”

I spun around, glaring. “And if I am?”

Sure, he hadn’t laid a finger on Hayden, but getting him tangled up with Draco Lux? That was a calculated, totally self-serving move.

“Fair enough. You’re free to love whoever you want,” Cole said with this exaggerated casualness, clearly loving this.

By the time we hit the hospital room door, I stopped short, spinning to face him. “You leave now.”

Cole didn’t budge. Instead, he jutted his chin toward the room. “I just want a quick peek. For peace of mind.”

Ugh. He was just like Wayne—dying to figure out if Hayden was faking or actually hurt. These guys. Not a single one of them was even a little trustworthy.

Chapter 716

Fine. Hayden set the stage, so I’d roll with it. With an exaggerated wave, I stepped aside.

Cole smirked. “Together?”

Cole stepped into the room, and I followed. Hayden lay there, so still it made my stomach churn. His head was wrapped in gauze, and a drainage tube extended from his scalp, the fluid inside an unsettling, blood-red color.

The sight hit me like a flashback to Houston. Back then, I’d figured out his injuries had been part of an act. But even now, knowing this might just be another performance, my chest tightened, and I couldn’t even glance at that blood-filled tube for more than a second.

But Cole? Not even a flicker of unease. He circled Hayden like he was inspecting an art exhibit, then leaned down and muttered, “Xander, your acting could use some work.”

‘Bastard!’ I bit down a curse. He thought Hayden was faking.

“Excuse me?” I snapped, storming over to grab his arm, yanking him back before he could pull more stunts. “He’s lying there like that, and you’re calling it an act? Why don’t you try faking something like this and show us all how it’s done?”

Cole pouted slightly. “Relax, I was just joking. Trying to get a rise out of him. But wow, you’re really protective of him, huh?” He tilted his head, lips curling into a smirk. “Oh, and that mark on his neck… was that you?”

“And what if it was? Or maybe it was you?” I shot back without hesitation.

Cole chuckled, totally unfazed. “Oh, I wish. But sadly, he wouldn’t let me.”

I cringed, a mix of disgust and disbelief bubbling up. “Never figured you for someone who swings both ways, Cole.”

He shrugged like I’d just complimented him. “Surprised? There’s a lot you don’t know about me. If you’ve got some free time, I’d be happy to give you a full demo.”

Oh, please. His smirk was pure bait, testing me, testing Hayden, testing everything.

I shot him a frosty smile. “Not dying to learn, thanks.”

Turning back to Hayden, I shut out Cole’s taunts and the chaos he dragged in with him. Right now, the only thing that mattered was making sure Hayden—real or act—was okay.

The blood was real—I’d touched it myself. I wanted to say something, but I swallowed the words down. Instead, I leaned in close and whispered, “You got hurt protecting me. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they pay for this.”