Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

7/2

+25 BONUS Chapter

785

"Wrap it up in a gift box-it's for someone," Lindey told the clerk. She turned, and the moment her eyes landed on me, her voice wavered. "Rea."

"Hi Lindey." I said, stepping toward her.

Her eyes filled with tears almost instantly. "Rea..

That was all she managed to say. Just my name like she had so much on her mind but couldn't get the words out.

1 studied her quietly. In just a few months, her hair had more streaks of gray, and her face. looked tired, drained of life. The spark in her eyes was gone.

I didn't need to ask how she'd been. Matthew's illness, the tension between her sons, the family crumbling-it was written all over her face.

It all seemed to unravel after I broke up with Jace. They say a peaceful family brings prosperity, and looking at her now, I finally got it.

been?" she asked after

"I'm doing well."

nodded quickly, almost like she needed to convince

didn't ask how she was. The answer was painfully

picking out artwork for someone?" she asked, clearly trying to fill the

birthday," Lena chimed in. "Rea's helping pick a gift

to Edison's?" Lindey's voice cracked slightly. "That's wonderful. Edison always liked Rea. He's mentioned her before..." Her

seeing her like this. It hurt, but I didn't know what to say. "Lindey, I'll go make my selection now,"

sometime? Matthew doesn't have much time left. He really

I said

the end, and for all Matthew's wrongs, it felt like fate had already caught

+25 BONUS

Chapter 785

me know when you'll come, and I'll make gnocchi and

left me

insisted. "Lindey, no," I said firmly. "It's a gift from me. It only counts if I pay for

hesitated but eventually nodded, walking away, though she

Lena let out