Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

“Lindey, betrayal’s not a one–and–done deal. If someone screws you over once, they’ll do it again. Jace blew his last chance with me. Even if Wayne isn’t an option, Jace never will be,” I said, shutting down Lindey’s last bit of wishful thinking.

“You can’t pick Wayne either,” Matthew finally chimed in from the sidelines.

Oh, shocker. This little intervention? Definitely something he and Lindey cooked up together.

“Matthew,” I said with a sharp smile, “newsflash: people are allowed to make their own choices. Crazy, right? Also, does Wayne even know you two are scheming behind his back?”

His expression darkened. “Rea, I know things between us are… beyond repair. You’ve decided not to hold me accountable, but let’s not pretend you don’t resent me for everything. If you’re mad, aim it at me. But I’m not going to let you be the reason my sons tear each other apart.”

“Relax, Matthew. I’m not here to play puppet master with your sons,” I said, my smile twisting into something bitter. “All I want is a normal life–a partner who actually loves me and a home that feels real. Just for once.”

“Rea, if all you want is someone to love you, I could introduce you to someone.

better,” Lindey cut in.

“Oh, sure,” I said, tilting my head. “But would Wayne be cool with that? Because, fun fact, on the way here, he straight–up told me he only wants me–even if I’m

still hung up on Hayden.”

That shut them both up real quick.

They exchanged a glance. Grim expressions? Check. Awkward silence? Double

check.

Lindey eventually spoke, her voice filled with sorrow. “But if you choose Wayne, you’ll destroy Jace.”

Destroy Jace? Really? Like, what about my Hayden? He was already destroyed- gone, permanently.

I glanced at the doorway, where Jace and Wayne were deep in conversation. Couldn’t hear a word, but let’s be real–there’s a 99% chance it was about me. Because why wouldn’t it be? Probably Jace pulling the same move as Matthew and Lindey, trying to guilt Wayne into backing off.

Two brothers fighting over one girl? Total soap opera vibes. I bet this whole mess was the Johnstons‘ worst nightmare. I mean, they only took me in to play the good guys after wrecking my parents‘ lives. And now? The family harmony they’d worked so hard to fake was crumbling.

Karma, am I right? The universe always collects.

“Lindey,” I said, keeping my tone steady, “I get what you’re trying to say. But this isn’t something I can control. If Wayne refuses to let go, what exactly am I supposed to do?”

I shoved the whole mess straight at Wayne–the one guy who’d never let go of his obsession with me. He loved me too much, for too long, until that love turned into something dark and suffocating. His feelings had twisted so badly he didn’t even blink at scheming or hurting others–even his own brother–just to clear a path for himself.

That kind of love doesn’t just end.

Which is why I made the choice to face Wayne head–on. I needed him to burn everything he had to the ground–because only then could I finish what he started and destroy him, too.

“Keira Kay,” Matthew said, using my full name in that stiff, formal tone.

It had been forever since he called me that. I knew immediately what was

coming.

He gripped the sides of his chair, struggling to push himself up. Lindey rushed to help him to the couch across from me.

Once seated, he opened a drawer and pulled out a folder.

“In here is everything you’re owed–and a little extra. Sign these, and it’s all yours. But there’s one condition: you leave this house and stay out of my sons‘ lives. For good.”

23

I opened the folder, flipping through its contents. A deed for the amusement park, the full earnings from the contract my parents had died for, plus additional compensation. The numbers practically screamed off the page–tens of millions

It was everything. Everything he had to offer.

Matthew was done pretending to care about wealth. To him, money was just dust in the wind now. What he really wanted? Peace. His picture–perfect family fantasy–father and sons, finally at peace.

But what about me?

Because of his selfish greed, I lost everything that mattered. My parents–the two people who truly loved me. My home, my safety. And now, Wayne was just like him, driven by the same selfishness. Wayne had taken Hayden from me, the one person I loved most.

Like father, like son. Selfishness runs in the family, and Wayne’s just following in Matthew’s footsteps.

I lifted the folder, giving it a little shake. “So, you’re trying to use this to cut a deal with me, huh?” Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“It’s not a deal,” Matthew said, his voice weighed down with regret. “This was always yours.”

Before I could respond, Wayne’s voice came from the doorway.

“He’s right. It’s yours. There’s no need for a deal.”