Chapter27
Almost no one knew about Sierra and Chase’s secret relationship back then.
Besides a few of Chase’s closest guy friends, the only outsider who might’ve known… was the owner of this very hot pot
restaurant.
They used to come here all the time. Over time, the owner had simply figured it out.
Back then, she even gave them her blessing.
Who would’ve thought things would turn out like this?
“Oh dear, I’m sorry,” the owner said awkwardly, glancing between Sierra and Rowan. She turned quickly to Rowan and
apologized.
Rowan smiled politely. “It’s alright. Really.”
To make up for the misunderstanding, the owner brought over a complimentary plate of shrimp paste.
After a bit more small talk, she got called away by another table.
Sierra lowered her head, visibly flustered. She turned to Rowan apologetically. “Sorry about that. I didn’t expect you to get
mistaken for… him.”
Rowan chuckled lightly. “No worries.”
In fact, a part of him hoped the mistake would become reality.
Just as Sierra was about to say something else, a shadow suddenly loomed over their table.
She looked up-and froze.
It was Chase.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, startled. At this time of day, he should’ve been in class.
Chase’s eyes swept over the hot pot before landing on her. His voice was hoarse. “I got permission from the university for a break. I was worried your parents might try something.”
Sierra didn’t answer.
Rowan kept eating quietly, completely ignoring Chase.
Chase stood awkwardly by the table.
Unable to just let him make a scene, Sierra sighed and gestured. “Sit down and eat.”
He was already here-no point sending him away.
The moment she gave him the green light, Chase flagged down a server for another set of utensils and sat down.
Just like old times, he began picking out food for her. “It’s been so long since we came here. I remember you used to love
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basa fish slices and beef rolls. And try this egg.”
Sierra pushed his hand away, her voice flat. “I’m allergic to eggs.”
Chase froze, then flushed in embarrassment. “Sorry. I forgot.”
She didn’t even look at him. “After this meal, go back. I don’t need you to ‘protect’ me. You just started grad school, and you’re crossing departments-it’s already hard enough to keep up.”
Her words were clear: she didn’t want him involved.
Chase fell silent.
Rowan didn’t say a word either. He just quietly observed them both.
In the end, Chase didn’t leave.
Instead, he offered to help settle Maddie’s campus loan mess. Practically begged Sierra to let him stay.
So for now, the three of them stayed together-working to handle the issue side by side.
Before long, they tracked down the loan scammers. The ringleader behind Maddie’s debt was caught and charged. The Hayes family no longer faced a mountain of financial ruin.
On the day everything was finally resolved, Rowan asked her gently, “Sierra, now that it’s all taken care of… do you want me
to inform your parents?”
Sierra hesitated for a moment before quietly replying, “I’ll tell them myself.”
Some things needed to end in person.
Standing outside the hospital room, she watched her parents hovering anxiously by Maddie’s bed.
Their faces were filled with worry-for Maddie.
And not even a sliver of it was for her.
That feeling-it stung. But it didn’t surprise her.
She had always known she was easy to forget.
But it was okay. She didn’t crave their love anymore.
She pushed the door open and walked in.
“The loan’s settled. You don’t have to worry about collectors showing up anymore. And your retirement house is safe now. No more threats hanging over your heads.”
Her parents lit up instantly.
Mrs. Hayes reached out. “That’s great, Sierra! But what about you?”
Sierra’s voice remained calm. “I’m going back to school. And I won’t be coming back.”
Chapter27
