Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 528

Chapter 528

+25 BONUS

The lights in the Johnston main hall were blinding, making everything feel sharper, more intense.

Lindey didn't give me her usual warm welcome. Instead, her expression was all nerves.

Matthew just sat there, still as a statue.

I couldn't ignore how frail he looked now-thinner, with hair that had gone almost completely white. But as Hayden and I stepped in, he barely reacted, his face a blank slate Lindey got up, awkwardly. "Rea, Hayden... you're here."

"Lindey. Matthew," I greeted, same as always.

Matthew gestured for us to sit, and Isabel brought over tea.

Matthew asked,

wanted to shrug it off, but my wrist burned-a painful reminder of hours spent tied up, bruises still fresh

wanted to reach out, but she held back. It

on that later," Matthew

taste filled my mouth. "That won't

was

He looked at me directly. "Rea, ask what you came to

throat tight. "Is what Thorsten told

him-the man who'd been like a

would wreck everything

dreaded still came from his

single word hit like

at him, my gaze shaky. Matthew held my eyes, steady.

world collapsed right

clung to