Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 418

Chapter 418

Wayne's grip on my hand loosened, his expression softening as the tension drained from his face.

"Do you think even less of me now? His voice was low, almost like he'd given up.

"It's not about looking down on you, Wayne," I said, locking eyes with him. "Back then, I chose Jace because he made my heart race, not because you weren't good enough. But now... after everything? I'm just disappointed." "Do you even know why I did all this?" he asked quietly.

I laughed bitterly. "You were so clear-headed when you left four years ago. How did you end up like this, Wayne? Why are you losing yourself now?"

Back then, when I got together with Jace, whatever path there was with Wayne had closed. Even after Jace and I broke up, Wayne and I were never going to be more than 'siblings."

"You loved Jace for ten expected.

1. s. I've loved you just as long." he confessed, and his words hit harder than I

But sympathy wasn't what I felt-it was just a reminder of old wounds.

Loving someone in silence? I understood that. But I still had to be real with him, no matter how much it hurt.

you? You knew it was hopeless and kept going anyway. That's not love, Wayne-It's foolishness. You were setting yourself up

stung, but it was the

Jace and kept the

the word with a bitter

behind it-like he was calling me foolish for loving Jace for so

him one last reminder. "You and Jace can

The second he saw me, he walked over

exposed Tanya and Brad's scheme. He had quietly gotten it for me after I'd voiced my suspicions about Wayne's

made a big deal about it, but he always handled the stuff that

while, realizing

somewhere quieter," Hayden said, his voice steady and

still recovering, and a crowded

+25 BONUS

judgment.

I asked, feeling exhaustion creeping

already?" Hayden teased, catching on

hide it.

he offered