Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 480

Chapter 480

+25 BONUS

Hayden never held back. He always said exactly what he felt, and now his words cut deep-he honestly thought I still had feelings for Jace.

Since we got together, I'd kept my distance from Jace, worried our past might mess things up with Hayden. But clearly, I'd slipped up. I'd made him feel like he didn't have all of me.

This wasn't just about me giving Jace blood. Hayden had been carrying this around for a while, something he'd been feeling long before now.

"All this time, you've thought I didn't love you enough? let out a bitter laugh. "If that's true, then maybe 1 don't even know how to love anymore.

"If you really loved me, you wouldn't have been so quick to suggest breaking up," he said, his voice low.

my eyes, frustration boiling over. "I told you that was just me talking out of anger.

I gave a tired smile and added, "It was a heat-of-the-moment thing, but you jumped at the chance to agree. So, Hayden, should I start thinking you never really wanted me in the first place?" That old saying, "when you want to blame someone, any excuse will do," had never felt more true. When

you're determined to find fault, even the tiniest thing gets blown up.

narrowed slightly. "If that's how you feel, maybe breaking

into me was almost too much. I'd tried so hard to explain, but it felt like nothing I said made a difference.

up is the right thing, huh? Is that really what

throat bobbed as he swallowed, but before he could answer, I laughed bitterly. "I get it. You're the heir to the Hart family

me isn't good

used to be Jace's fiancée, and being with me would just make people

kind of baseless suspicion?

I was, falling

think?" Hayden's voice

to believe?" I felt myself unraveling, turning into the

him, my lips trembling, but the words

lodged in my throat. After what felt like forever, I finally whispered, "So you really want to

#25 BONUS

.Yes

so simple and final,

into my palms as I clenched my

Loave

back, hanging on to whatever pride I had