Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 473

Chapter 473

+25 BONUS

I'd only really taken a good look around this hospital room twice-once when I was searching for Hayden, and now, while trying to figure out what to pack.

Wayne crouched in front of me, his voice soft. "Rea, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?"

I was about to shake my head when a knock interrupted us. Jace walked in with the doctor.

"Let the doctor check you over. If anything happens on the plane, it'll be hard to deal with," Jace said, hist gaze briefly flicking to Wayne. I noticed the slight crease in his brow.

As the doctor moved closer, Wayne stood up and stepped aside, naturally giving him room.

The doctor listened to my heartbeat, took my blood pressure, and ran through a full exam. "You're recovering well," he finally said. "Everything looks normal."

"Thank you, doctor," Jace said, sounding genuinely grateful.

Wayne chimed in, "I'll walk the doctor out. I need to pack, too. Jace, stay and talk to Rea."

The door clicked shut behind them, and just like that, it was me and Jace. Alone.

of us said a word. We just sat there, wrapped in silence. I stared into space, lost in thought, while Jace's eyes

forever, he finally

were distant, glazed over with everything that

me. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have

blood to save me... and Hayden wouldn't have misunderstood." I blinked, then lowered my eyes to the second button on his shirt. "There's no need to apologize. Isn't there that saying? Everything happens for a reason." Maybe

softly, "why did you do it? Risk your life to

gave a small, bitter smile. "Because if I didn't, you'd be

what happened-if you hadn't given

to that moment, when I'd watched my blood fill the bag for him. I smiled again,

so much, might as

make it, what was the point

meet his. "Don't overthink it. Even if it hadn't been you that

narrowed a bit, "Really? Even

I said, a little too quickly, a little too

disappointment in his eyes. I

#25 BONUS

hoping to stop whatever spiral he was about to fall into. "I

I'm in your life-to help

together, shared meals, lived under the same roof.

split up, you've built so many walls

you hang on to hope, I'd be just as bad as you