Chapter 4

"I'm just warming my hands. What's wrong with that?" Sophie pinched Hayden's waist. "I thought you said your girlfriend always listens to you. Why does she keep making a fuss?"

Hayden winced, grabbing her hand as he laughed. "You're still the same, always pinching me." Then, he turned to me with a careless smile and said, "Don't make things awkward. Be good."

He reached out, trying to pat my head, but I stepped back to avoid him.

"What if I shoved my hand inside your friend's clothes? Would you mind?" I asked Hayden coldly.

His expression changed instantly. "Why are you being so disobedient today?"

My temples throbbed as I retorted coldly, "I'm not your pet. Don't use words like 'be good' or 'disobedient' with me!"

"Why not try it and see?" Oliver suddenly appeared, grabbed my hand, and placed it against his waist.

Startled, I tried to pull my hand away, but his gentle yet firm grip held my hand in place.

Hayden's expression turned sour. He chuckled awkwardly. "Maeve, take your hand off him. If you don't like it, we'll pay more attention to it next time. We're here to have fun. Don't be a party pooper."

I sneered. "You have an answer to everything, don't you?"

"Let's just watch the meteor shower," Hayden said casually, brushing it off again.

I stared at him blankly, feeling like he was a complete stranger. How could someone who once stepped in bravely to save me from a dozen thugs also ignore my feelings and hurt me over and over again? Did he ever truly care about me?

Throughout the entire meteor shower, I didn't speak to Hayden again. When it was time to sleep, I was about to tell him to set up his own tent.

Sophie had already looped her arm around his and rushed to the entrance of the tent. "I twisted my ankle today. I don't want to sleep alone. Besides, we haven't slept together in ages," she said as she dragged Hayden toward the tent.

My eyes widened. "You're going to sleep with her?"

"I don't want to share a tent with that dog," he said hesitantly. "We're just sleeping. Don't overthink it."

Sophie suddenly flung his arm away and snapped, "Honestly, I can't believe this. You're ditching your own friend just because you're in a relationship. Lame! I've already said it a hundred times—we're just friends who grew up together. Why are you still hung up on it?"

She looked displeased with Hayden, but her gaze slanted toward me.

I dug my nails into my palms and shot her a glance. "Where did this buzzing fly come from?"

Hayden frowned at me. "It's not worth getting angry over something this trivial. Maeve, if you're upset, I'll apologize on Soph's behalf."

I let out a cold laugh. This was absurd.

"Mom, please break up with that jerk. Otherwise, just like in your last life, you'll get breast cancer from stress and die within three months. After you're gone, that scumbag just watches as that evil woman bullies me… My leg was broken, and I went blind. It hurt so much, Mom…" Daisy rubbed against me anxiously, whining softly. "I don't want to be separated from you again!"

It felt like someone had grabbed my stomach and twisted it hard. The pain made my tears spill uncontrollably.

Forcing my tears back, I made my trembling voice steady. "If you two want to act shady, go ahead. I'm done playing along! Hayden Klein, sleep with her however many nights you want. I don't care. We're finished!"

Ignoring Hayden's furious shouts behind me, I walked away without looking back.

"Get in." The car window rolled down, revealing Oliver's handsome face.