Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 596

Yara really had some nerve.

Seeing that smug grin, I matched her smile. "I'm not sold on the idea."

""Not into Cole?" she asked, bold as ever.

I shot back just as bluntly. "Not really, Besides..." I laughed lightly. "If I married Cole, I'd have to start calling you and Hayden 'Aunt Yara' and 'Uncle Hayden. Kinda a downgrade for me, don't you think?"

Yara burst out laughing. "Fair point!"

"If I had to marry someone from your family, I'd pick your brother," I joked. "Sure, Thorsten's a bit older, but he's loaded. And he probably won't outlive me. Once he's gone, I'd inherit all his cash-and you and Hayden would have to see me as 'the elder." She chuckled. "I like your style, but you'd have to get rid of my sister-in-law first, and deal with Sasha."

Yara knew all about Thorsten's drama-filled relationships, down to the dirty details.

I was done with the banter, though, so I got straight to the point. "Miss Drago, I get what you're trying to do, but I don't need anyone playing matchmaker."

"Then go for what you want. If you still have feelings for Hayden, why not fight for him?" Yara asked, like she was actually invested in my love life.

worth fighting for," I said, my voice

I'd hold on to him no matter what." "Well, I'm not you. That kind of desperate, obsessive love

the sand.

left you because he had no other choice, if

flashed back to that conversation I overheard between her

really be

I shouldn't ask-knew it would only pull me deeper into something I didn't want to deal with-but I couldn't help myself. "What reason could he

think it'd be better for him

one keeping me in the

a spike of frustration and stood up. "Miss Drago, enjoy the rest

turned and walked upstairs, needing some air on the terrace. But as I passed Wayne's room, I noticed the door was still wide

when

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+25 BONUS

Chapter 596

I noticed a notebook hidden beneath some empty tie

I grabbed it and flipped it

was a journal. And not a recent one-this one was almost ten years old, with entries scattered over the years. The first page was from the day I joined the Johnston family. He'd written just one line: [There's a new little girl at home.