RankNovelChapter 620
"Rea, you're back?" Wayne's voice carried a mix of surprise and excitement as his eyes met mine.
"Yeah, just got back today." | replied, putting extra weight on today."
Lena didn't miss a beat. "Just got back and already bumped into you? What are the odds?" Her tone was all
innocent charm, but the undertone was sharp enough to slice through Wayne's polished demeanor. He gave a
quick nod toward the upper level. "Shigh school friends organized a get-together here a few days ago.
Before | could respond, someone called out to him. "Wayne, we're heading out!"
He waved toward the group but lingered, glancing back at our table. "Do you two need anything else?" His tone
was casual, but the offer was clear-he was ready to cover the bill.
Lena beatto it, flashing a polite smile. "Already paid through my phone. Thanks, though,
Wayne's focus shifted back to me. "Rea, after you've had tto settle, cover for dinner. My parents have
been asking about you."
"Lettreat you to dinner instead," | said, pausing just long enough to add, "And thanks for handling things in
Houston."
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| watched his face carefully, searching for even the smallest crack in his composure. But his expression stayed
smooth. "Alright," he said simply.
With a nod to Lena, he turned and walked off. Through the glass, | tracked him as he climbed into his car and
drove away.
non
Lena tapped my foot under the table, snapping my attention back. "What's going on? Is he still hung up you?"
| stared at the steaming soup, swirling my spoon in the broth. "I think Wayne's the one behind all of this."
Her jaw dropped. "What?"
"What I'm about to do might sound insane, but don't be shocked."
| told Lena everything I'd uncovered in Houston.
She inhaled sharply. "Crazy how? You're not seriously thinking about getting close to Wayne to dig for answers,
are you?"
My
eyes drifted, unfocused. "I can't let Hayden's death be meaningless."
Hayden was k
killed by Bruno, but Bruno was just a pawn. The real enemy was the one pulling the strings- the person who
wanted Hayden dead and orchestrated it all.
"Hayden wouldn't want you risking your life for this," Lena said. Then she hesitated. "And... what about Jace?
He's your ex. If you get involved with his brother, what's that gonna do to him?"
| didn't answer. | didn't need to. Lena could see the determination in my silence. She reached over and gripped
my hand tightly. "Fine. Do what you have to. If it comes to it, I'll hand you the knife myself."
1/2
Her words hitharder than | expected, making my throat lighten. It wasn't easy to find a friend like -someone
who'd stick with me, no matter how reckless or irrational my choices seerind MARA
Later, when | went to see Jace, | arrived just as they were changing his dressing. The scene was brutal With no
way to numb the pain, he had a towel shoved in his mouth to muffle the sounds, while three nurses worked
meticulously to scrape away the dead tissue, The smell of blood and decay hung thick in the air.
Once, | would've been sick just watching. But now? Nothing. I'd becnumb to it all.
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When the nurses finished and left, Jace lay there, his face pale, his hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. He
looked like he'd been through hell-and back again.
I pulled up a chair beside his bed, my gaze falling on the freshly bandaged wound. "You've been dealing with this
for a month?"
At the sound of my voice, his eyes shot open. For a second, disbelief flickered across his face. His lips moved like
he wanted to speak, but no sound cout.
He looked so thin now, the weight of pain and exhaustion etched into every line of his face. The Jace | used to
know-strong, confident-felt like a shadow of the man lying in front of me.
"Why are you still here when the wound isn't healing?" asked, pressing him harder. "Why not transfer to another
hospital? Or go for better treatment?"
"I'm fine," Jace muttered, brushingoff like it was no big deal.
| wasn't buying it. "I already know," | said bluntly. "The wound won't heal because of the toxins and bacteria from
the crocodile's teeth. It keeps festering, and if this continues, they're going to have to amputate." Lena had filled
Jace's injury was my fault, and | couldn't shake the responsibility. I had to convince him to get the treatment he
needed.
Chapter 621
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