Chapter 8

Luckily, it wasn't far, and I only twisted my ankle.

He rushed over. "Are you okay? Is it serious?"

"Forget that—just get me out of here! My mom's about to set me up on a date!"

He hesitated but then helped me into his car.

"You left so quickly last time, I didn't catch your name."

Even amidst the chaos, I recognized him—the man who had saved me that night.

If not for him, I might not be here.

"Hayden Pierce," he introduced with a teasing smile.

"So, does this mean it's the second time I've rescued you?"

"Looks like it," I admitted.

"How about you rescue me this time?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"Pretend to be my girlfriend and meet my family."

He grinned. "My grandpa's been begging me to bring someone home, but I've been too busy to date."

I agreed.

Hayden's grandfather loved me.

He shared countless stories about Hayden's childhood, urging us to stay together.

Feeling guilty, I could only smile and nod.

"Thanks for helping me make Grandpa happy," Hayden whispered later.

"I'm happy too," I said with a bright smile.

His eyes softened, and he murmured, "Thank you."

As he reached for my phone to take a picture of me with his grandpa, his smile suddenly faded.

"Skylar… you've got a text."

I didn't need to see it to know who it was from.

"Read it," he urged quietly.

Carter's message read:

"Skylar Quinn, if you don't come back, I'm marrying Brielle."

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

I replied with a simple message: "Congratulations."

Carter Delaney called immediately, his voice low and tense:

"You're not jealous?! Skylar Quinn, aren't you upset that I'm marrying another woman?"

I laughed lightly, my tone calm. "Why would I be jealous? I don't love you."

"And now, you won't have to sneak around with her in the home office anymore. That place is terrible for... entertaining. The soundproofing is awful."

Silence fell on the other end.