Chapter 36

I knew Hayden meant well, but his words left me feeling uncomfortable. "Hayden, thank you for your concern, but I'm not sure about my feelings right now. Plus, I have Jonas to think about—" Hayden cut me off, "Jonas needs a stable family environment too. You can't keep using your child as an excuse to avoid dealing with your own emotions." His words stung, but I knew he had a point. I looked at him and said, "Hayden, I know you mean well. Just give me some time, okay? I'll think it through seriously." Hayden patted my shoulder with a satisfied smile. "Good, take your time to think about it. Just remember, happiness won't come looking for you; you have to pursue it yourself." After Hayden left, I sat in my office, lost in thought. While I knew he meant well, matters of the heart were never simple. Shaking off the thoughts, I decided to focus on work for the rest of the day. As I was leaving the office that evening, I spotted Lorraine waiting for a ride outside the building. She