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Chapter
542
Chapter 542
The night breeze was cool.
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Under the streetlight, Hayden's shadow stretched long and tall, almost like he'd somehow grown since we'd been
together.
Standing beside him, my shadow mingled with his, overlapping just enough to feel like we were one.
The sight sent a familiar ache through my chest, so sharp it was hard to breathe.
He felt so far abovenow, with that whole marriage alliance with the Drago family hanging between us. The
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtpain made my words cout a little harsher than | meant. "Mr. Hart, what exactly did you want to say?"
He didn't look at me; his eyes stayed fixed on the night sky. "Didn't you want to watch Steve's match? It's next
week. | got you a ticket. You can go."
My heart clenched. So that was it-he wasn't really offering; he was just trying to pushout of the picture.
Now that he was marrying someone else, he was worried I'd get in the way, mess up his big plans? Since we
broke up, every word from him felt like another cut, each one deeper than the last.
| bit my lip. "Who said | was going?"
| wanted to shout it, to sound defiant, but my voice cout weak, shaky, like even | didn't believe myself.
It wasn't lack of conviction-it was just the pain, pressing so hard that if | said one more word, | knew the tears
would start falling.
But | didn't want to cry in front of him. This was my last shred of pride.
Once, I'd cried, begged him to stay, because | thought it was my fault, because | thought he'd misunderstood
me.
But now? Now he was pushingaway, all for someone else. He was afraid I'd be a complication.
So, yeah, there was nothing left here. If | cried now, it would just be giving away what little dignity | had left.
"He'd be really happy to see you there," Hayden said, his tone edged with something that almost sounded...
bitter.
If this were before, | might've thought he was jealous.
But now? His words were pure mockery.
My throat tightened painfully. | clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, forcing myself not to break.
Hayden pressed his lips together. "Steve's got a lot of support. As long as nothing disrupts him, he should take
first place easily."
He finally looked at me. "You missed his last win-don't miss this one. Besides..." He hesitated. "This
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Chapter 542
might be his final match. After this, he's planning to retire for good."
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So, he was basically tellingit was now or never if | wanted to see Steve compete again.
But he didn't get it-watching Steve's match wasn't exactly top of my list right now.
"You're saying all this because you wantgone, aren't you?" | finally managed to get the words out.
He didn't respond. The silence hit harder than anything he could've said.
"Why?" | asked, my voice shaking. "Is it really because you don't wantto miss Steve's match?"
Still nothing. That silence toldeverything.
So, | finished the thought for him. "I know why. You're worried I'll mess up your engagement, right? Afraid your
fiancée might find out aboutand get jealous?
As | spoke, the sting in my nose got worse, and | felt this wave of weakness wash over me, makingfeel small
and pathetic.
But | swallowed it down, pushing past the bitterness. | forced myself to stand tall, to not let him see even a hint
of desperation.
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