Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter

627

I let out a weak laugh. Ron wasn't the type to call just to shoot the breeze-he'd probably wanted to make sure I was still breathing.

Lifting my wrist, I kissed the tiny bell dangling there. "Hayden, your buddy's still got my back for you."

By evening, Wayne showed up at the office to pick me up.

Standing in the golden light of sunset, he practically glowed, his whole figure framed like some kind of cinematic shot.

People walking by couldn't help but stare. A few bold girls even called out," Mister, you're so handsome!"

Wayne didn't even blink, his eyes locked on me like the rest of the world had faded to static.

"Looks like you're quite the heartbreaker now," I teased, stepping closer.

His smile was faint. "And you're still as cheeky as ever."

"Any news on Demi?" I asked, the weight of my worry still pressing on me.

there's news, you'll be the first to know," Wayne said, his tone steady. But then he hesitated. "I've had someone look into her boyfriend." The pause made my

ones. And he's been seeing multiple women at the same

the dots. Demi's suicide

is he now?"

"In jail."

a sharp

he said, leading me toward his

Chapter 627

into the passenger seat, I noticed a bouquet resting there. It wasn't flashy like roses, but simple and soft-lavender mixed with baby's breath. The kind of arrangement that felt thoughtful, almost calming. Wayne

words were

way he spoke,

situation to the side for a moment, meeting his gaze head-on." Are you trying to pursue me?" I

Our eyes locked in the rearview mirror, and he didn't flinch. "Rea, I

words felt layered,

Wayne would humiliate him. That lingering thought pushed me to ask, "Doesn't

too long, so I pressed on. "And Jace? Aren't you afraid of how he'll react? That he'll

all that-what people would say, how Jace

"You should know... my heart belongs to Hayden. Even if..." I hesitated, locking eyes with him. "Even if he's not