Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 402

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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Chapter 403

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that idiot Jace keeps protecting her. She's wading in deeper, thinking she'll get away with it. But I swear,

figure out what she said to Matthew first," I tried, hoping to

let her

every woman on Earth disappeared and Jace stayed single forever, I'd never let her into this family,"

she was just venting, too angry to hold back. So, I didn't try

calm down. "Rea, just wait and see how I

Johnstons. Back then, Lindey and Matthew had nearly divorced. I'd overheard Lindey on the phone once, 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 thing was clear. Lindey wasn't afraid to be ruthless when it came

again today, I worried she might

it slide. If I didn't try to stop her and something.

things from getting worse. "I'll figure out what she's up to, and

happens to Matthew, I'll make her pay with her life."

talk to her. Please, try to stay calm," I said before hanging

second, my mind racing, before turning back to return Jace's

mom... was she talking about

He wasn't clueless.

I admitted after a pause. "Before Matthew started coughing up blood, he got a call-from Tanya." Jace's eyes narrowed, and I could tell the realization hit

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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 you're going to handle this," I said, keeping my

sounded calm. On the inside?

I was, having a rational conversation with the guy I once loved... about the woman who tore

no point in dragging it out.

room.

concern anymore?" Jace's low voice stopped

brought after noticing my hoarse voice. The ones I

its expiration date?" I

breath to steady myself. That's when I caught Yuna's voice, soft but

is Keira's 'brother' actually her

Chapter 404

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Chapter 404

Chapter 402

It was Jace.

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

his eyes were locked

his phone. "My

my chest slowly eased. "What does

you and have you call her back right away,"

Yuna's voice rang out behind me. "Keira, who is

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

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

didn't move, her eyes locked on Jace

to get out of there before Yuna asked more

is he the other brother? Like, another son of

was definitely darker. Great. Was he pissed?

all about making me their

said quickly, grabbing Jace's phone

her voice all concerned mom vibes. "Rea, why didn't you have Jace

with Hayden's sister,"

accepted Hayden, but deep down, they were still rooting

need?" I asked, already pretty sure this was about

but came straight to me? Yeah, she definitely wanted to keep