Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 533

Jace looked wrecked-pale, hair a mess, rough stubble shadowing his jaw. I'd never seen him this messed up, like he'd had a night just as brutal as mine.

He must've found out about Matthew. Why else would he keep blowing up my phone?

Weirdly, I didn't feel the anger I'd expected. Instead, I felt... nothing. Like something in me had finally just burnt out. Maybe I was numb.

The doorway wasn't the place for this. I said, "Come in."

Jace walked in and dropped onto the couch across from me. "My mom told me everything... Rea, I'm so

sorry...

I didn't answer. I knew he hadn't just come here to apologize.

"Look, I know sorry's not enough. But I came here to ask... no, to beg... His voice cracked as he looked at me, his face full of something raw. "Please, just... can you spare my dad? Just for whatever time he has left?" Beg? Hearing that word from Jace was rare.

always been

he owes

never repay. But please, let him go. Let me pay back that debt instead." *Jace,

words hit me, reminding me of all the times I'd given my blood

Jace droppe

"I know. That's why, if you're willing to spare him, I'll do whatever you ask." But that was the problem-I didn't know what I wanted from him or his family. And that made it worse. "What could you possibly do to make

at me, defeated. "Rea, I know... no matter what we do, your parents

I lost my parents-real, living people. All I have now is a cold gravestone

"Jace, do you know who I

"Myself," I whispered, slapping my own arm. "I hate that I have the

face fell, all the color draining out like he'd

of this-this mess, this pain-it started with you. You're the one I should hate the most." I spat the words, every memory of us

those memories had been my happiness, my reason to

irony

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