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

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"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.

have you been?" she asked after

"I'm doing well."

almost like she needed to convince herself. "That's good.

was. The answer was

artwork for someone?"

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

He's mentioned her before..."

didn't know what to say. "Lindey, I'll go make

she finally spoke. "Could you... could you come visit sometime? Matthew doesn't have much time left.

I said after a

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

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Chapter 785

her relief evident. "Let me know when

left me feeling

the register, Lindey tried to pay for my selection. "Let me handle it," she insisted. "Lindey, no," I said firmly. "It's a gift from me. It

but eventually nodded, walking away, though she kept glancing back over

gone, Lena let out a