Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 402

It was Jace.

The second he appeared, my first thought was that something had happened to Matthew. I jumped up. What happened to your dad?"

Jace's gaze didn't shift; his eyes were locked on me. "He's fine."

He held out his phone. "My mom wants to talk to you."

The anxiety that had been building in my chest slowly eased. "What does she need?"

"It's urgent. She told me to find you and have you call her back right away," Jace said, pushing the phone closer.

Just as I reached for the phone, Yuna's voice rang out behind me. "Keira, who is he?"

My breath hitched. Yuna had already been suspicious that something was off between Hayden and me. And with all the romance novels she devoured, if she found out Jace was my ex, she'd definitely start jumping to conclusions "He's... my brother," I said, the word tumbling out awkwardly. The second it left my mouth, I swear the room temperature dropped.

I refused to meet Jace's eyes. Instead, I forced a smile and turned to Yuna. "I'm just gonna step out and make a quick call. Keep enjoying your pears!"

Yuna, still holding her spoon, didn't move, her eyes locked on Jace with clear suspicion.

"Let's go," I said to Jace, desperate to get out of there before Yuna asked more questions.

"Wait... is he the other brother? Like, another son of your foster parents?" Yuna's tone made my stomach flip.

I glanced at Jace, and his face was definitely darker. Great. Was he pissed? Hurt? Both?

But, like, we had broken up, and his parents were all about making me their goddaughter. So technically. calling him "brother" wasn't totally wrong... right? "Yup," I said quickly, grabbing Jace's phone and heading for the door.

I dialed Lindey's number, and she picked up right away, her voice all concerned mom vibes. "Rea, why didn't you have Jace bring you home?" "I'm with Hayden's sister," I mumbled.

There was silence on the other end. Yeah, the Johnstons had accepted Hayden, but deep down, they were still rooting for Team Jace.

"What did you need?" I asked, already pretty sure this was about Matthew's phone.

The fact that she hadn't mentioned anything to Jace but came straight to me? Yeah, she definitely wanted to keep this quiet.

"Is Jace with you?" Lindey's volce confirmed it.

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I glanced back. Jace had followed me out, of course. I walked a little farther. "He can't hear."

*I checked Matthew's phone. It was her number, Lindey said, frustration leaking through her words.

Her?

That wasn't exactly helpful.

"Who?"

"Tanya Twain," Lindey practically spat. "I've called her before to warn her off. I recognize her number."

Oh. So that's why she didn't want Jace to know. But what did Tanya want with Matthew?

"She must've said something that upset him. He started bleeding again. Like breaking you and Jace up wasn't enough-now she's trying to mess with Matthew, Is she trying to destroy this whole family?" Lindey's voice rose, her anger building. I glanced at Jace again, then lowered my voice. "Please, don't get too worked up."

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her. She's wading in deeper, thinking she'll get away with it. But I swear, I'll make sure she

out what she said to Matthew first,"

us to accept her, to let her into this family," Lindey snapped, like Tanya had already made

Even if every woman on Earth disappeared and Jace stayed single forever, I'd never let her into this family," Lindey snapped, her words sharp enough to cut through

was just venting, too angry to hold back. So, I didn't try to reason with her. I let her get it

more harsh words, she finally started to calm down. "Rea,

vowing to "teach someone a lesson" and make it clear her husband wasn't up for grabs. What followed was a massive fight between her and Matthew. He couldn't believe how far she was willing to go, and she'd broken down, saying he pushed her there. She promised that anyone who tried to break up her family would pay, no matter what it cost her. I didn't know all the details, but one

that anger again today, I

that I knew what was happening, I couldn't just let it slide. If I didn't try to stop

talk to Tanya," I said, hoping to keep things from getting worse. "I'll figure out what she's up

before agreeing. Fine. But make sure you tell her-if anything happens to Matthew, I'll make her pay with her life."

update you after I talk to her. Please, try to stay calm," I said before

my mind racing, before turning back to return

was she talking about Tanya?

He wasn't clueless.

he'd defend Tanya. But I felt like he needed to know the truth "Yeah," I admitted after a pause. "Before Matthew started coughing up blood, he got a call-from Tanya." Jace's eyes

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she knew you'd try to protect Tanya. But she's already shown up at your home while you've been gone. You know Matthew's condition, and you know what's at stake. Think carefully about how

the outside, I sounded calm. On the inside?

having a rational conversation with the guy I once loved... about the woman who tore us apart. If that didn't prove I

and I figured there was no point in dragging it

room.

low voice

talking about the baked pears he'd brought after noticing my hoarse

something past its expiration date?" I shot back, pushing the door open

a deep breath to steady myself.

Keira's 'brother' actually her

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Chapter 404

Chapter 402

It was Jace.

appeared, my first thought was that something had happened to Matthew. I jumped up. What happened to

eyes were locked

held out his phone. "My mom wants to talk to

that had been building in my chest slowly eased.

urgent. She told me to find you and have you call her back right away," Jace said, pushing the

Yuna's voice rang

something was off between Hayden and me. And with all the romance novels she devoured, if she found out Jace was my ex, she'd definitely start jumping to conclusions "He's... my brother," I said, the word tumbling out awkwardly. The second it left my

eyes. Instead, I forced a smile and turned to Yuna. "I'm just gonna step out and make a quick

her spoon, didn't move, her eyes

Jace, desperate to get out of there before Yuna asked

the other brother? Like, another son of your foster parents?" Yuna's tone made my stomach

at Jace, and his face was definitely darker. Great. Was

had broken up, and his parents were all about making me their goddaughter. So technically. calling him "brother"

grabbing Jace's phone and heading

away, her voice all concerned mom vibes.

Hayden's sister,"

the other end. Yeah, the Johnstons had accepted

need?" I asked, already pretty sure this was