CHAPTER 18 : PRESENT

Emma Davis-Wilson

When my brain processed what Hayden said, I literally started panicking.

Why on earth did Christian disclose this which no one had brought up for more than a year?

I cleared my throat, trying not to meet Hayden's eyes. "I- um, I should head back. I'm.. tired."

Before I could leave, Hayden gripped my elbow making me stop. "No. You can't leave unless you tell me everything."

"Wh-What's there to tell?" I played dumb, shrugging my shoulders and Hayden let out a groan in response.

"Em, why won't you let me know you? Why can't you just open up to me?"

I stared up at him and let out a soft sigh, shaking my head faintly. "It's not that easy.."

"But it's not hard either! I mean, you confessed all of this to Christian but you couldn't even share a single detail of your life to me ever since I've known you? How is this even fair?"

"Because you've never understood me even in the slightest!" I admitted bluntly and he seemed taken aback as he looked at me with furrowed brows.

"Wh