GoodReadChapter 540
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"The other big announcement today," Chadwick declared, "is the union of the Hart family and the Drago family.
Hayden will be marrying Yara Drago in three months."
His words hit like a freezing cold slap, leavingtotally numb.
So that was why Hayden really wanted to end things with me.
Yara Drago-yeah, | knew who she was. Thorsten's sister, studying abroad. I'd cacross her info once when |
was looking into Thorsten. She was insanely smart and gorgeous, with a PhD and everything-a total catch.
| looked at Hayden across the room, letting a bitter smile cross my face before | spun on my heel and walked
away.
| moved too fast, wobbling in my heels as | reached the door, almost twisting my ankle.
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They say when you're down, even a glass of water can mess with you. Guess it's true.
Gritting my teeth, | limped out to the entrance and threw up my hand to hail a cab. | just needed to get out of
there. Every second felt like | couldn't breathe.
But before | could catch one, a car rolled up. The window slid down to reveal Wayne's face.
"I'll give you a ride," he said, watchingclosely.
| knew | probably looked a mess, and my first instinct was to shake my head.
But he cutoff, "Rea, you've cleared the air with everyone else in the Johnston family. But you and I? "We've
still got things to talk about. Today's as good a tas any." -someone I'd
But whether we talked or not didn't change much. To me, he was just like the others now-s learned to keep at
arm's length.
I'd decided not to hate them, but loving them like | used to? That wasn't happening.
Swallowing down the ache, | said, "You should already know where | stand. There's nothing left to say."
Wayne got out of the car, stepping right into my path. "Rea, just know that, no matter what, you'll always be like
a sister to me."
| dropped my gaze, bitterness twisting in my chest. Why was it that the people needed to care always drifted
away, while the ones | didn't want near kept showing up?
| clenched my fists, trying to block out Chadwick's words echoing in my mind: ‘Hayden will be marrying Yara
Drago.
"Rea?" Wayne's voice snappedback to the present
| looked at him, but my mind was miles away.
"Rea, my dad's actions are unforgivable. As his son, | can't excuse him, but I'll do my best to make it right. | know
nothing we say or do can really fix what we put you through. But we'll keep trying." Wayne said, sounding as
sincere as ever. Chapter 540
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I'd heard similar lines from Lindey and even Jace before.
They knew | didn't want apologies, but they kept pushing them anyway. | was too tired to argue, and right now,
all | wanted was for this conversation to end.
So | just nodded. "Fine. Just... be there if | ever actually need help."
"Do you need help now?" Wayne asked.
Technically, yeah, | needed a ride. But the thought of sitting alone with him in a quiet car madefeel way too
vulnerable.
After a pause, Wayne tried again. "It's late, Rea, and it's not exactly safe for you to be hailing cabs alone." He
clearly still wanted to givea ride, but | was set on refusing.
He seemed to pick up on that. With a soft, understanding smile, he took a step back, givingspace. "If you'd
rather not, | won't insist."
Right then, a cab pulled up. | lifted my hand and gestured to it. "There. No need to trouble you."
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