Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 634

This lifetime, neither of us would ever reach Hayden again.

The thought twisted something deep in my heart, the way it always did when I thought of him.

The worst part? I couldn't tell her. Not yet. Not until I was sure her heart-both physically and emotionally-could take it. I'd need to talk to Lena, get Nate to give her a thorough check-up.. Because eventually, the truth would have to come out. Hayden was gone, and while I could shield her from that heartbreak for now, I knew I couldn't keep it buried forever.

"What do you want to tell Hayden?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay light. "Just a quick thank-you?"

"Exactly!" Yuna's face lit up as she hugged the admission letter close, her joy practically glowing.

I cleared my throat. "No need for that. Just thank me instead-I'm the one who

got you the letter."

Yuna blinked, surprised, and then her face broke into a playful grin. She gave me a goofy thumbs-up. "You're the best sis-in-law ever, Keira. Thanks!"

I accepted her gratitude with a calm smile. "You're welcome."

But Yuna wasn't about to let it go. "Still, you should call Hayden anyway."

sigh and scrambled for another excuse. "You just

softer now. "I miss him.

hesitated, searching for something-anything-to say, but

me like she was piecing something together. "Why don't you want to call him? Did something happen

+25 BONUS

My heart lurched.

my head too

to reach him since Houston," she said, grabbing my arm. in a near-panic. She even dropped the admission letter she'd been holding so carefully. "Hayden's in trouble, isn't

froze. Just one wrong word-or even a nod-and I was sure i I

I could think of: his old profession. "No, Yuna, stop overthinking. He's... he's been called in for another mission. It's classified. He can't contact anyone outside." She frowned, unconvinced. "But Hayden retired, didn't he? Why would he be sent on another mission? You're hiding something from me, aren't

my voice steady but

call him!" she shot back, practically cornering

my phone. "Look, if you don't believe me, call him yourself. But I'm telling you, you won't get through-he's on a mission, and his

dial, though. Guess some part of her knew I wasn't lying-at least about not being able to reach him. Instead, she mumbled under her

is different," I said, trying to sound casual but also firm. "They're dealing with a seriously bad guy. You saw what happened in Houston-he almost

back to mine. "You're really not lying to

I said, keeping my voice steady even though I couldn't quite meet her

her grip on my arm loosened. Her