Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 503

Chapter 503

"You can't change the past; just hold onto the people you've got now."

I knew what he was getting at, and it hit a nerve. If this report on my parents' accident pointed to someone still around... he was basically telling me not to let it mess things up with the people who'd actually been good to me. "Yeah, I get it," I nodded. "I've thought about it a lot, especially over the past few months."

It wasn't just talk. I'd spent so much time with that contract I found in my dad's notebook, going over every theory, every suspicion, struggling to make sense of it. And somehow, I'd finally started to accept some of it. "Looks like making you wait wasn't for nothing," Cedric said, like he'd been expecting this. Now! understood why he'd been so cryptic, dropping hints but never giving me the full story.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope, but he didn't hand it over just yet. "You know Hayden Hart, right?"

My heart skipped. Hayden and I had dug into his dad's death too, searching for answers. "Did he come to you, too?"

"Yeah. He wanted this report as much as you do."

My breath caught. "So... does he already know?"

Cedric shook his head, his hand still wrapped around the envelope. "Are you hoping I'll tell you both at the same time?"

footsteps sounded on the steps behind

an umbrella, and in that moment, it

tangled between us, but also

it was all just an

of steps below me, his eyes flicking up to meet mine-just for a second-before

Hayden stepped closer, looking at

three of us stood there in silence, the rain falling softly over the headstones, each of

own thoughts.

I'm sorry. It's been ten years, but I'm finally here to bring you the justice you deserve." His words hit me like a

wanted to

it against Hayden's. I glanced up,

+25 BONUS

Chapter 503

eyes shadowed, heavier

Hart. Miss

out a worn envelope. "The answers you're looking for