Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Neither Jace nor Steve said a word. They just stared of me.

I lifted my head slowly and asked in a daze, "You don't know?"

I tried to sit up. "Then I'll go find him."

"Rea." Steve pressed me back down. His eyes were red.

I blinked. "What's wrong?"

Jace's voice soft. "Hayden's already gone."

I nodded, "I know..." I forced a weak smile. "I know he's gone... that's why I need to go be with him."

Steve's grip on my hand tightened-hard, almost painful. I looked at him. "You're hurting me."

"Rea..." His voice was rough. "You won't see him again,

I stared at him, something inside me twisting, clawing, breaking. But I shoved it back down. "I can. Just let me go.

"Rea," Steve said again, his voice desperate.

But I couldn't stop. I pushed harder against his grip. "Let me go."

in my chest. I had to see him. If

can't see him," Jace snapped suddenly. He

I froze.

and

on my shoulder. "Rea, you... you need

to Steve, frantic, my eyes pleading with him. "What he said isn't... isn't

eyes filled with sorrow. "Rea, if you need

I couldn't cry. If I cried, it meant I accepted it.

Without thinking, I shoved him

You're all

up and run, but Steve grabbed me again, his grip unrelenting. I thrashed, fought, clawed

out, punching him, but it didn't matter.

a final, desperate

flinch. He just held

of strength. My teeth loosened, my hands trembled, and I

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clutching his arm. "Please don't be so cruel... Please

to accept it.

I accept

his breath warm on my skin, his heartbeat