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?"

I could say anything, footsteps sounded on the steps behind

holding an umbrella, and in that moment,

of us, all the history tangled between us, but also because of what we were about to uncover about our

all just an accident. Or

flicking up to meet mine-just for a second-before he turned to

nodded, and Hayden stepped closer, looking

silence, the rain falling softly over

own thoughts.

as he addressed my parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Kay, 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 punch to the chest. This wasn't just an accident.

wanted to stop

gust of wind shook my umbrella, bumping it against Hayden's.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 503

eyes shadowed, heavier than the rain around

Miss

adjusted our umbrellas, turning to face him. He held out a worn envelope.