I held Hayden's hand, silently trying to give him strength.Nate had warned us the surgery would last at least six hours. After three hours of waiting, Hayden suddenly got a nosebleed.It was his anxiety breaking through, and it hit me just how much Yuna meant to him."I'll get you some water," I said. We hadn't had a thing to drink in hours.The night before, Yuna couldn't eat because of her surgery prep, and Hayden, in solidarity, hadn't eaten either."I'm fine," he muttered, still trying to be the strong one. "You should rest a bit and come back later."I nodded and headed to the hospital's convenience store to grab some water.On my way back, I was surprised to spot Wade leaning against the wall near the surgical floor, staring at the ground, looking completely lost in thought.Considering what I had seen in Narelle's room two days ago, I was sure she must have passed. Wade shouldn't be here.But there he was, standing quietly, like a shadow.I glanced around. This floor
Hayden had just cracked open a water bottle and taken a sip when the OR doors flew open. Retta rushed out, looking serious. "Who's the patient's family?"She was assisting Nate in the surgery today."I am!" Hayden jumped to his feet so fast he almost lost his balance.I caught his arm and walked with him toward Retta. "What's happening?""There was major bleeding during the surgery. You need to prepare yourselves." She handed him a consent form.Her words hit like a truck, freezing us both."How bad is it? What's happening now?" Lena, still in her scrubs, walked up, right on time. She wasn't even supposed to be here, but had to fill in last minute."We're doing blood transfusions and trying to find the source of the bleeding," Retta explained, passing another form to Hayden.He didn't move, his hands frozen with fear.I had no clue what to do, so I glanced at Lena.She shot me a look, silently telling me to grab the form.But before I could, Hayden snatched it up himself. He
As I did, I caught a glimpse of Retta. Her face was tight with jealousy, fists clenched at her sides. The envy was written all over her, and it made my chest tighten.Before I could think, I said, "Prof. Roane."Retta snapped out of her daze. She looked at me, her voice icy, almost robotic. "The patient will be moved to recovery in thirty minutes."Then she turned and walked away, frustration practically radiating off her.I nudged Hayden and whispered, "She's jealous."Relieved about Yuna, Hayden squeezed my hand. "Yeah, Prof. Neumann handled that perfectly."Wait, what?I blinked, looking between Nate, still wrapped around Lena, and Hayden, who just nodded like he was in on something.It hit me then—Nate's little PDA wasn't just about loving on Lena. It was a clear message to Retta, who clearly had a thing for him, setting boundaries. And at the same time, it reassured Lena where she stood.Hayden didn't need to spell it out; guys just get each other in ways we sometimes mis
Three days later, Yuna was moved out of the recovery room.No signs of rejection, no discomfort—her recovery was going faster than even Nate expected."It seems like someone else's heart suits her just fine," Lena said with a touch of admiration."Maybe the heart's original owner wasn't ready to leave just yet," I joked, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers.The thought lingered in my mind, so I leaned closer to Lena and whispered, "Do you know anything about the donor?"Lena gave me a quick, sideways glance. "That's confidential."I knew that, of course. I wasn't asking to pry—just amazed at the fact that someone's sacrifice had saved Yuna's life. It was the kind of selflessness you don't see every day.The door to the recovery room swung open, and Yuna was wheeled out.Even though Hayden and I had visited Yuna a few times over the past days, seeing her finally come out of that room felt completely different.This wasn't just a door from the recovery room—it was the start of he
Even though Yuna's surgery was a success, her recovery still came with risks, so she needed round-the-clock care. Hayden hired a caregiver, but only for the daytime. At night, he stayed by her side.So lately, I hadn’t spent much time with Hayden—after all, we both had work during the day.To my surprise, Hayden said, "I'll go.""But what about Yuna—" I started, but he cut me off."I'll take care of it," he said in that reassuring way."I haven't spent enough time with you lately," he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine. His words made my heart ache a little.Wasn't that the truth?He'd been with Yuna every night, and of course, that meant there wasn't much time for us.I couldn't really be jealous of that—but still, I felt a little neglected.The game Steve invited us to was in Ferndale, a few hours away, so Hayden and I flew out. When we landed, we were surprised to see someone holding a sign with my name. Hayden and I exchanged a look, but the driver quickly explai
Hayden's tone was serious, and for a second, my teasing mood completely evaporated. I looked at him closely—he seemed worn down, probably from dealing with Yuna's recovery and now this drama with me.I softened a bit, pulling him closer. "Steve and I are just friends, that's why I can joke about him. There's literally nothing to worry about."The second the words left my mouth, I realized they came out wrong. I didn't mean to say there was nothing to hide—it wasn't about hiding anything. I just didn't care because it wasn't that deep.Hayden's face relaxed a little. "I know," he said quietly, "but it still bothers me."And yeah, I got it. If he were talking about some girl non-stop, I'd probably be annoyed too. Heck, I might've kicked him out of the car by now."Sorry, that was wrong of me," I apologized quickly, feeling a little guilty.Hayden's expression softened, but there was still a glint in his eyes. "Saying sorry isn't enough around here," he said, his tone teasing but wi
Jace's face was cold, like way colder than I'd ever seen it."Huh?" The guy next to him blinked at me, totally confused. "Mistaken? No way, your fiancée is gorgeous, how could I—""My fiancée's at home with my parents," Jace cut in, already walking off, his legs moving like he couldn't get away fast enough."What? But..." The guy's eyes darted between me and Jace, completely thrown. "They look so alike... practically the same person."I stood there, frozen. He didn't lie to embarrass me, which, honestly, I didn't see coming.Jace, of all people, could've called me out and made this painfully awkward for Hayden and me. But he didn't.Even when he walked past, he acted like I wasn't even there—like he didn't recognize me.This version of Jace? He wasn't the guy I used to know. No more fiery temper over dumb stuff. Now he could just walk by, emotionless, like I was a total stranger.Since he came back, other than that one time he popped up outside my place in Willow Residences, he
No clue when my phone finally quit ringing, but by the time Hayden carried me back to bed from the bathroom, I felt like total mush. Like, even my bones were jelly.I was so wiped I didn't even want to open my eyes. I curled up under the covers, and it didn't take long before I crashed."Rest a bit. I'll make you some oatmeal," Hayden's voice rumbled in my ear, all low and husky.I mumbled something back, already slipping into sleep.But even half-asleep, I kept hearing my phone ring.Ugh, I didn't want to move, and I definitely wasn't opening my eyes. I reached out for Hayden, but all I got was an empty bed."Hayden... Hayden..." I called out, my voice barely above a whisper.He was by my side in a second, leaning down. "What's wrong?"Without looking, I muttered, "My phone... it's too loud.""Huh?" He sounded confused."My phone. It's loud," I grumbled, super annoyed by the phantom ringtone.There was a pause. Then, in that soft, comforting tone, he said, "Kiki, you're dre
Just as Lena was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Aaron say— “No need. I’ll do it later.” Lena: … What the hell do you mean, later? Just let her take the damn laundry so I can leave! “Aaron, can I take a look at this plant?” Xandra asked casually, but before waiting for a response, she was already walking toward the curtain—toward her. The plant was right next to where Lena was hiding. With the bright reflection of the snow outside, if Xandra so much as turned her head slightly, she’d definitely spot her. I knew I shouldn’t have hidden here! But where else could she have gone? Aaron was a minimalist—his entire home was pristine, with no unnecessary clutter. Everything was neatly tucked away in cabinets, leaving nowhere to hide. The truth was, she shouldn’t even be here. Lena held her breath, silently praying that Xandra would just glance at the plant and move on. But of course, the more she wished something wouldn’t happen, the more likely it did.
Sh*t! He had already left—why was he coming back?! Lena’s first instinct was to hide. Running back to the bedroom wasn’t realistic—Aaron would probably enter before she even made it. In the end, she chose the nearest possible hiding spot—the floor-length curtains. Lena’s fingers dug into the wall behind her. Her chest felt tight. Stifling. Maybe people really were pathetic—never realizing what they had until it was gone. She used to despise people like that. Now, she had become the very thing she hated most. "If you don’t like it, you can redecorate however you want before you move in," Aaron said casually. Lena’s eyes went wide. Move in? They’re moving in together?! It had only been a few days! Their progress was moving way too fast! An icy weight settled over her heart, as if a chunk of snow had been stuffed inside her chest, freezing her from the inside out. “Not at all, I quite like it,” Xandra’s voice was soft, carrying a shy undertone. Lena cle
Did he look like an Ace family member now? She called him Uncle Aaron—even if he didn’t like her, he still shouldn’t just abandon her like this. The two of them stood there in a silent standoff. After a few seconds, it was Aaron who gave in. Her small face was already red from the cold. If she stayed out any longer, she’d freeze. Without another word, he picked her up again, stepping through the wind and snow to place her into the car. This time, he set her in the back seat. She had always sat in the passenger seat before. Now, she wasn’t even worthy of that anymore? Maybe it was the lingering effects of the alcohol, or maybe she was just feeling too hurt, but Lena curled into herself, burying her face against her knees. Aaron saw everything. He even knew exactly what she was thinking. His heart clenched with pain, but he had to be ruthless. Only by forcing her into a corner would she find the courage to move forward—truly move forward. By the time they arrived
Snowflakes fell in thick clusters, drifting down from the sky in a quiet dance. Aaron gently lowered Lena to the ground, but his hands remained on her waist, steadying her. His gaze locked onto her flushed face, red from both laughter and the cold. “Then… do you want to be with me?” Lena tilted her head up to look at him. Her neck was starting to ache, and the snow landing on her skin was cool to the touch. Had Aaron worn height insoles today? Why did he seem taller than usual? “I do,” she answered honestly. “But I don’t dare to.” His heart gave a sharp thud. Finally—finally—she had given him a response, even if it was just a sliver of acknowledgment. She was afraid. And he knew exactly what she was afraid of. His dark eyes deepened, reflecting the night’s shadows. “Whatever you fear, I’ll take care of it. You just need to be brave enough to move forward.” Lena’s eyes were filled with him—with this man whose face, in her eyes, was the most beautiful in the world.
Impossible. She felt uncomfortable, sure, but not to the point of crying. Just then, she overheard someone passing by. “It’s snowing.” Lena’s eyes snapped up to the sky. Snowflakes were drifting down, one by one, twinkling under the streetlights. “It’s snowing, Uncle Aaron! It’s snowing!” The excitement of the first snowfall instantly washed away the dull ache in her chest. Aaron hummed in acknowledgment. “It is.” “This is the first snow,” Lena said as she grabbed onto his arm, shaking it lightly. “Uncle Aaron, don’t you remember? First snow wishes always come true.” Drunk and giddy, Lena had completely reverted to her eighteen-year-old self. “Then make one,” Aaron said, indulging her. Lena rocked his arm again. “Let’s wish together! Let’s wish… um…” What should she wish for? For a moment, she blanked. Then, suddenly, she blurted out, “I wish you won’t be able to marry Xandra.” “…what?” Aaron’s sharp gaze locked onto hers. Meeting his eyes, Lena declar
He was already delivering himself to her doorstep—how could she not succeed? But Aaron knew he couldn’t give her such an easy answer. She only dared to say such bold words now because she was drunk. Once she sobered up tomorrow, she would turn into an ostrich again, burying her head in the sand. For her to say something like this, it meant her heart had already wavered. She was just holding back, still hesitant, still unwilling to take that final step forward. “You’ve had too much to drink. I’m your Uncle Aaron,” Aaron said, deliberately keeping his expression stern. Lena chuckled. “Oh, now you remember you’re my Uncle Aaron? But when you confessed to me, why didn’t you remember it then?” She was bringing up old accounts now. He couldn’t tell if she was truly drunk or deliberately testing him. But regardless, he couldn’t let her win so easily. If he did, she would just run away again the moment she faced any difficulty. “I realized my mistake, so I corrected it in time,”
“Uncle Aaron,” she called him softly. Aaron heard her, but he didn’t respond. Lena frowned. Since when did his ears stop working? She reached up, her fingers landing on his earlobe, giving it a playful squeeze. “Aaron, do you even have ears? I’m talking to you.” Aaron froze. Damn it. His earlobes were his weakness. “Let go,” he commanded coldly. “Then why are you ignoring me? Do you have a hearing problem?” she grumbled, squeezing his earlobe again. It was round, thick, and felt like a little piece of soft meat—strangely fun to play with. Aaron clenched his jaw. He tried tilting his head away to escape her grasp, but that only made her more mischievous. The more he tried to shake her off, the more stubbornly she held on. In the end, he gave up. “Uncle Aaron, your earlobes are so thick. People say that means you have good fortune,” Lena mused, the alcohol in her system dulling her filter. She was calling him Uncle Aaron, but she wasn’t treating him like the older
Aaron led Lena out of the police station. He walked ahead, while she trailed behind, clutching the oversized coat he had draped over her shoulders. His coat carried the faint scent of pinewood, and with every step she took, the fragrance seemed to weave its way into her senses. Maybe it was the alcohol fermenting in her system, but her head felt dizzy, her vision unsteady. Even Aaron, walking in front of her, seemed to sway. However, the moment she stepped outside, the cold night air hit her like a slap, jolting her awake. She shivered and instinctively tightened the coat around her body—only then realizing that Aaron was left wearing nothing but a thin dress shirt. “Uncle Aaron,” she called out, her voice laced with concern. But he kept walking, his long strides unfaltering. Whether he was ignoring her out of anger or simply hadn’t heard, she couldn’t tell. Their figures—one leading, the other following—looked almost like a child who had done something wrong, chasing after a
With a loud bang, the man's face was slowly stained with blood. A passing woman caught sight of the scene and let out a sharp scream. Immediately after, the man’s companions rushed over, ready to attack Lena. But she wasn’t the least bit afraid. Holding the bottle in her hand, she lifted it slightly and sneered, “Come on, go ahead and try.” She was just one woman, alone, yet she carried the presence of an entire army, so overwhelming that no one dared to make a move. The bar manager, seeing the situation escalate, called the police. Lena was taken to the station. The surveillance footage clearly showed that the man had struck first, so she wasn’t entirely at fault. However, she had retaliated too ruthlessly, and the man in question was a privileged young master. That complicated things. “You used excessive force in self-defense,” the officer in charge—whom Lena mentally dubbed the hatted man—concluded. Though she was a surgeon by profession, she knew a fair bit about the la