Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 618

1 brought Hayden back to Kahmark

One evening as the sun melted into the horizon,

of growing old together

I

But I couldn't leave not yet I stayed, keeping him company, pretending he was still there

When I was a kid, I overheard my mom talking about how a person's sou dont just vanish after they

I die. She said it lingers for a while, staying close to the people it loved-especially for the first the something days

I didn't know if it was true, but I clung to the thought. I didn't want Hayden's soul to feel alone so stayed Watched over him until I felt like he was truly gone. Only then did I let myself think about leaving During those days, I cut myself off from the world. My phone stayed off I lived like Yuna used to-reading books, picking wildflowers, brewing tea from petals, and painting

I painted Hayden, again and again. Every stroke reminded me of the portraits Wayne had made of me hidden in that house.

Moming and night, I talked to Hayden like he could still hear me

okay? Say the stuff you

hurts so bad sometimes, I wonder if I should follow you, just to make it stop." "Hayden, I found this little bird today. It was all alone. I

"Hayden..."

needed to, hoping for an

like there was a

I sat by his side, the wind would brush against my face. Soft,

by the quiet rhythm of sunrises and sunsets. On the 35th day after his death, I

last day

normal life. And.... I'll face the people I need

breeze passed by, lifting a strand of my hair and brushing

death, I'd barely cried. Only in those quiet, unbearable moments when I

strand of hair. "Hayden... is that you?

again, ready and

longer, unwilling to leave When ally

door creaked open and his voice, soft and steady called out

I wrapped thy arms around fine herding

him,

hand through my hair. "Don't stay here alone Go back be happy, Kik. Live for me

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