Kayden's POV

"Kayden, what's happening?" My brother's annoyance was palpable as he stood upright, hands planted firmly on his hips.

"Really want to know?" I asked mockingly, running a hand through my tousled hair. "I doubt you're ready to hear it."

"Kayden, just tell me what's going on," he demanded, his tone firm.

"Fine. I'm fucking in love with Hazel," I confessed, raw honesty in my words. His eyes widened in shock. "But she's yours. I won't interfere. She's into Jayden, not me," I added sadly, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Now, please, just leave me alone," I pleaded, turning away. Closing my eyes, I muttered under my breath as exhaustion weighed heavy upon me.

The next morning greeted me with a pounding headache, a cruel reminder of last night's escapades. Groaning, I reached for my temples and slowly sat up in my bedroom. It was likely Jayden who had brought me here. My memory of the night was hazy, blurred after Jayden intercepted my drink, preventing me from consuming any more alcohol.

Throwing back the covers, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and rose unsteadily to my feet. The stench of alcohol lingered in the air, a harsh reminder of my indulgence.

After a brisk shower and a change of clothes, I made my way to the kitchen. Downing a painkiller with a gulp of coffee, I prepared myself for the day ahead at the company.

***

Frowning, I slipped my phone into my pocket, disappointed that Jayden hadn't answered my call. Since that fateful day when I was consumed by alcohol, I hadn't laid eyes on him. Even when I tried calling, he remained elusive. According to my dad, he'd taken off to Los Angeles with his buddies.

With my keys in hand, I exited the company and headed straight for the mansion. An hour earlier, my mother had called, urging me to swing by after work.

Pulling up in front of the mansion, I stepped out of my car and began the short walk to the entrance. Despite my hopes, there were no messages from Jayden as I checked my phone. Letting out a sigh, I returned it to my pocket just as the housekeeper swung open the door.

She welcomed me with a polite smile, informing me that my mother awaited in the living room. Inquiring about Jayden's whereabouts, she replied that he hadn't returned yet. I offered a nod of understanding before making my way to the living room.

Planting a kiss on my mother's cheek, I settled beside her on the couch.

"Care for a drink before dinner?" my mother offered kindly.

"No, thank you," I declined with a shake of my head, my anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. "What's on your mind? What did you want to discuss?"

She let out a heavy sigh, running her fingers through her hair. "Your grandpa called earlier today. Apparently, Jayden reached out to him this morning."

"Is everything alright with Jay?" I asked, a hint of worry creeping into my voice.

"He's fine. He told Richard that he ended things with Hazel yesterday," my mother answered, her attention divided.

"What?" I exclaimed, taken aback.

"Did you not know either?"

"No. Jayden hasn't been answering my calls," I admitted, rubbing my chin as I pondered the news.

"It's just not like Jayden," my mother said, her concern evident in her tone.

I sighed, reaching out to comfort her with a gentle squeeze of her hand. "Don't worry, Mom. From the start, he hasn't shown much interest in dating Hazel," I reassured her softly. "But what he's doing to her is unacceptable," I added through clenched teeth, my frustration boiling over.

How could he toy with her emotions like this?

He promised me he'd give her a chance. And because of that promise, I sacrificed my own chance at love. If he's not going to pursue her, then I'll have to come clean to Hazel, tell her how I feel, and hope she'll give me a chance to prove my love.

He owes me an explanation.

"I need to speak with Hazel; she must be feeling down," my mother commented, her tone troubled. "I'll give her a call and invite her over tomorrow."

"I'll have a chat with Jayden," I stated, rising from my seat with determination.

"Are you sure you won't stay for dinner? Your father will be home soon," she offered.

"No, I'm not hungry. See you later," I declined with a small smile, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek before heading out.

***

"Damn it, Jayden!" I huffed, flinging my phone onto the couch with exasperation.

Despite my persistent calls over the past few hours, Jayden remained unreachable. Now, his phone had been powered off.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated with a new notification. Snatching it up eagerly, I glanced at the screen to find a message from Jayden.

"About time!" I sighed loudly, shaking my head, and tapped to open the message.

'I am busy. Will reach out when I'm free.'

"What?! You've got to be kidding me!" Frustration surged through me, and I clenched my fist before attempting to call him, only to find his phone switched off. "Damn it!"

Just as irritation prickled at my nerves, my phone buzzed once more. With a flicker of hope, I glanced at the screen, half-expecting it to be Jayden, but instead, it was a message from my mother. I sighed heavily, raking a hand through my hair before opening the message.

'Draco spoke to Jay a few hours ago. He's returning this evening.'

'I'll be there.'

After firing off a quick reply to the message, I snatched up my keys and jacket, eager to confront Jay about his silence and the sudden breakup with Hazel.

Pulling up to the mansion, Jayden's car confirmed his presence. Mr. Asshole had returned at last. Parking in front of the grand estate, I bolted from my car and hurried towards the imposing facade of the mansion.

"Follow me. We need to have a chat," I declared with a surge of anger upon spotting Jayden in the living room with my parents.

"Kayden!" My father's warning tone sliced through the air.

"Dad, I need to speak to Jay. Alone," I stated firmly, striding purposefully toward the garden, cutting off any objections.

As Jayden trailed behind, his demeanor nonchalant, I turned to face him, my own frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"I am all ears," he said casually, his hand slipping into his pocket as he closed the distance between us.

My fist tightened as I shot him a scowl. His casual demeanor ignited a fire within me.

"What the heck is going on with you?" I demanded, irritation dripping from my words. "Why keep me in the dark about breaking up with Hazel?"

Jayden's smirk only fueled my frustration. "You didn't share the news of sleeping with her either," he retorted, his gaze penetrating.

I faltered, my hand instinctively moving to rub the back of my neck. "I... I couldn't have known you'd reconsider and give her a chance."

My twin let out a heavy sigh. "Kade, whether or not you slept with her isn't the issue here. I don't have any feelings for Hazel," Jayden stated firmly. "I'll be the one deciding who I date and eventually marry, not our grandfather or anyone else," he stated with conviction.

"But you told me  you wanted to be with Hazel. You said she's a great girl, and you even introduced her to our parents," I retorted, irritation creeping into my tone.

"That was before you confessed your feelings for her," Jayden informed me, his resolve unwavering.

My eyes widened in shock, and I felt a nervous lump form in my throat.

But I didn't tell anyone about it.

"Don't you remember?" My twin's voice cut through the air, his raised eyebrow indicating his exasperation at my confusion.

"What?" I mumbled, my hand instinctively finding its way to the back of my neck, a nervous habit of mine.

Jayden took a deep breath. "That night in your penthouse, when you were completely wasted, you spilled your guts about being head over heels for Hazel."

"Jay... I..." My words trailed off, lost in the whirlwind of emotions and memories crashing in.

"I'm furious with you. Why keep this from me? Why hide it all this time?"

"I... I couldn't. I didn't want to hurt you. Seeing how devastated you were after your breakup, I couldn't bring myself to speak up when you mentioned dating Hazel," I confessed with a heavy heart, exhaling a deep sigh. "And I... I couldn't even admit to myself that I had developed feelings for her," I added, laying bare my emotions.

"You need to talk to Hazel and come clean about everything. I didn't mention anything to her when we ended things; I believed it would be best coming from you," my twin advised, giving me a sympathetic glance.

"I don't believe it would make a difference. Hazel and I were doomed from the start. Can you imagine her forgiveness if she discovers I orchestrated pretending to be you, just to thwart our grandfather's matchmaking scheme? She believed she was involved with you, not me. In her mind, she was dating Jayden, not his twin. She had no idea you'd been with her these past few days," I said, my spirits sinking.

Applause erupted from behind, prompting me to spin around. My eyes widened in astonishment as Hazel emerging from behind the bushes.

"Hazel..." I murmured, stunned.