Chapter 737

Cole’s expression didn’t budge. “That’s something only you can answer.” It was obvious he suspected I had some role in this, but he was still in the dark about the motives behind it. Probably because he and Wayne were on the same “team” yet couldn’t trust each other for a second. Classic Cole – he was the kind of guy who’d pull strings from the shadows, even framing Wayne for Hayden’s car accident while keeping his own hands clean.

“Maybe someone just hated me and wanted to stir the pot,” I smirked. Cole could tell I wasn’t being truthful. He nodded. “Then think about anyone you’ve got a grudge against. Let me know if something clicks – I’ll handle the rest.”

“Sure,” I replied breezily. He stood up, and just as he was leaving, he threw out a casual remark. “Nina’s never had to suffer before. Wonder how she’s holding up now?”

The image of Nina flashed through my mind, and before I could stop myself, I asked, “Are you okay with having a sister like her?”

“Of course. She’s adorable,” Cole said. For the briefest moment, a genuine, soft smile crossed his face. There are things you just can’t fake – like that little flicker of affection. Even I was caught off guard. Apparently, even someone as calculating as Cole had a heart buried somewhere in all that ice. Maybe blood ties really did mean something.

Even though Hayden had assured me this was Sasha’s plan and Nina wasn’t in any real danger, the unease wouldn’t leave me. His words made sense, but my mind refused to let it go. That night, my worry bled into my dreams. I dreamt of Nina dangling helplessly, just like Bruno had strung me up over the crocodile pit back then. She was crying, her little arms flailing as she screamed, “Keira, save me! Save me!!!”

“Nina! Nina!” I yelled, thrashing in my sleep. “Kiki, wake up!” Hayden’s voice pulled me out of the nightmare.

Chapter 717

I blinked up at him, gasping for air. He wrapped me in his arms, his hand gently stroking my back. I buried my face in his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart calm me down.

“I dreamt about Nina,” I mumbled. “She was tied up…”

“Dreams are always the opposite of reality,” Hayden murmured, his voice soothing. “She’s fine, Kiki. Sasha’s behind this – she wouldn’t let Nina get hurt.”

“How could Sasha use Nina like this? She’s just a little kid – innocent and clueless. Even if it’s all a ploy, something like this could scar her for life!” The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Hayden just sat there, letting me rant. When I finally ran out of steam, he asked, “You like that girl, don’t you?”

“Of course, She’s adorable…”

“Then how about we have one of our own?” he interrupted, dropping the words so casually they didn’t register right away.

I froze, blinking at him. “What did you just say?”

“I said, when this is all over, let’s have a baby of our own,” Hayden repeated.

My mouth opened, but nothing came out for a long second. Finally, I managed, “Yeah, well, that’s not happening anytime soon. By the time this mess is over, who knows if either of us will even be… capable.”

“Are you saying I should hurry up?” His voice turned playful, and before I could react, he flipped us over, pinning me beneath him. The sudden movement made him wince – his body stiffened, and I could tell he’d pulled at his injury. I shoved at his chest immediately. “You’re still hurt. Knock it off.”

“If I don’t do it now, what if I lose the ability later? I’d regret it,” he muttered, leaning down to steal a kiss.

As much as I wanted to melt into him, I couldn’t ignore the fact that he was still healing. I turned my head, dodging his lips. “Your wound’s not going anywhere. Waiting a few days won’t kill you.”

He let out a low chuckle. “Kiki, you’re killing me. You say you want me, then you push me away. Are you messing with me?”

“I’m not,” I said, brushing my fingers gently against his throat. “I’m just worried about your injury.”

“It’s fine,” he insisted, like always.

Chapter 737

That was his thing – pretending to be invincible so no one would worry. He couldn’t even let me stay when it was time to change his bandages.

“Hayden, this injury could’ve been avoided,” I said. “You told me you had to hurt yourself to sell the act, but Wayne still saw through your cover. So what was the point of getting injured?”