Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right
Hello 503

Chapter 503

"You can't change the past; just hold onto the people you've got now."

I knew what he was getting at, and it hit a nerve. If this report on my parents' accident pointed to someone still around... he was basically telling me not to let it mess things up with the people who'd actually been good to me. "Yeah, I get it," I nodded. "I've thought about it a lot, especially over the past few months."

It wasn't just talk. I'd spent so much time with that contract I found in my dad's notebook, going over every theory, every suspicion, struggling to make sense of it. And somehow, I'd finally started to accept some of it. "Looks like making you wait wasn't for nothing," Cedric said, like he'd been expecting this. Now! understood why he'd been so cryptic, dropping hints but never giving me the full story.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope, but he didn't hand it over just yet. "You know Hayden Hart, right?"

My heart skipped. Hayden and I had dug into his dad's death too, searching for answers. "Did he come to you, too?"

"Yeah. He wanted this report as much as you do."

My breath caught. "So... does he already know?"

Cedric shook his head, his hand still wrapped around the envelope. "Are you hoping I'll tell you both at the same time?"

Before I could say anything, footsteps sounded on the steps behind us.

I turned to see Hayden coming up the stairs, holding an umbrella, and in that moment, it felt like a wave crashed over me, making it hard to breathe.

It wasn't just because of us, all the history tangled between us, but also because of what we were about to uncover about our parents' deaths.

Maybe it was all just an accident. Or maybe... it wasn't.

Hayden stopped a couple of steps below me, his eyes flicking up to meet mine-just for a second-before he turned to Cedric. "Hi, Officer Sawyer."

Cedric nodded, and Hayden stepped closer, looking at my parents' gravestone.

The three of us stood there in silence, the rain falling softly over the headstones, each of us caught in our

own thoughts.

Finally, Cedric spoke, his voice low as he addressed my parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Kay, I'm sorry. It's been ten years, but I'm finally here to bring you the justice you deserve." His words hit me like a punch to the chest. This wasn't just an accident. There was more.

For a split second, I almost wanted to stop him from saying anything else.

A gust of wind shook my umbrella, bumping it against Hayden's. I glanced up, and he was looking back at

+25 BONUS

Chapter 503

me, his eyes shadowed, heavier than the rain around us.

"Mr. Hart. Miss Kay," Cedric called.

We adjusted our umbrellas, turning to face him. He held out a worn envelope. "The answers you're looking for are right here."

Hayden and I both stared at it, neither of us reaching for it.

Cedric held it steady, unflinching. "You've got one minute to decide. If you don't want the truth, I'll burn it right here in front of you."

A sharp, aching tightness gripped my chest, like my heart might actually burst. I needed to know the truth; I could let go of the anger, but not without knowing. And yet... I was terrified.

If I turned away now, my parents' deaths would stay a mystery forever.

I couldn't move, my whole body trembling with indecision.

Hayden stood beside me, silent, not making a move either.

Cedric had given us one minute. For the first time, a single minute felt like a lifetime.

Just as I thought I'd crack under the pressure, a long arm reached out beside me.