Chapter 897 +25 BONUS

“Afraid I’ll steal their jobs?” Hayden teased, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“They’re just curious,” Keira replied, watching him deftly sand the wood. “How do you know how to do all this? Have you done it before?”

Hayden paused his work. “Yeah, I’ve done all this before.”

Keira handed him a bottle of water, brushing the wood shavings off his face as she sat beside him. “Don’t tell me you used to make a living doing this.”

Hayden took a sip of water. “I did. I made money this way to pay for my tuition and cover Yuna’s medical bills. Otherwise, my mom would’ve had too much to bear on her own.”

Hearing him mention this, Keira couldn’t help but think about the deaths of his father and her parents. But those things were in the past. Instead, Keira focused on his age back then. “You couldn’t have been very old at the time, right?”

“Eleven or twelve,” Hayden said. “But I was already tall—just skinny. When I went to construction sites, people thought I was fifteen or sixteen and gave me work. But because I was young, they’d cut my pay. So my solution was to work smarter, to take on tasks others couldn’t handle. That way, I had leverage.”

As he spoke, Hayden gazed into the distance, as if he could see himself in those younger, relentless years. His words brought back memories of her own childhood. While Keira had lost her parents, she was taken in by the Johnston family, where the Johnston couple cared for her, and Jace and Wayne always looked out for her. Keira hadn’t suffered at all—in fact, they’d spoiled her like a little princess. Though her misfortune was caused by their actions, they had tried to make amends. Compared to Hayden, Keira was fortunate.

“So that’s part of why you resent the Harts,” Keira said gently.

Ever since Kylian had approached her, he hadn’t come back or even called. Maybe Hayden had warned him off. But Hayden was still a member of the Hart family. Sooner or later, he’d have to go back—for himself, and for the sake of his father.

“I think you should return to the Harts, as long as they don’t force you to marry someone else,” Keira said, her tone calm but sincere.

Hayden turned to look at her, his lips curling into a smirk. He tapped her nose lightly.

Chapter 897 +25 BONUS

“Kiki, you’re pretty selfish. As long as it doesn’t threaten your interests, you’re willing to give the green light, huh?”

“I just don’t want to make things hard for you. Don’t be ungrateful, Mr. Hart,” Keira said, mimicking his gesture by tapping his nose in return.

Hayden leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. “Focus your energy on fixing up this courtyard and making the tea drinks you love. Leave the rest to me.”

“Mm. This place will be my ultimate dream,” Keira said, gazing at the now-cleared courtyard, still shabby but already holding so much promise.

“Kiki,” Hayden asked, his tone soft but curious, “why did you suddenly want to fix up a courtyard like this?”

Keira looked up at the sky. “Do you remember when we went back to your hometown and you took me to that place in the middle of the night?”

As soon as Keira said it, Hayden understood. They had made a promise back then—to build a courtyard on that open plot of land.

“Hayden,” Keira said, her voice steady, “building a courtyard back in your hometown will have to wait until we’re older. For now, we’ll work on this one. It can be a place to protect the people we care about and a home for our dreams.”

Keira lowered her gaze and looked at him. “Since you’re so capable, I’m leaving this place to you tomorrow.”

“Hmm?” Hayden raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

“I called Jace twice, but he didn’t answer or call back. I want to check on him,” Keira said, mentioning Jace as naturally as if she were talking about family.

Hayden was quiet for a moment before he spoke. “Let the workers handle things here tomorrow, or pause the project for a day. I’ll go with you.”

“Not trusting me?” Keira teased.

“Mm. I don’t trust you or our baby,” he said, tapping her nose again. “It’s a mountain road, and it’s not easy to traverse. Besides, you’re mine—both you and what you’re carrying. I’m confident enough now to not worry about anyone else.”