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?"

could say anything, footsteps sounded on the

up the stairs, holding an umbrella, and in that moment, it felt like a wave crashed over me, making it hard

because of us, all the history tangled between us, but also because of what we

all just an accident. Or maybe...

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

stepped closer, looking at

silence, the rain falling softly over the headstones, each

own thoughts.

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

wanted to stop him from saying anything

of wind shook my umbrella, bumping it against Hayden's. I glanced up, and he was

+25 BONUS

Chapter 503

eyes shadowed, heavier than the rain

Miss Kay,"

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