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."

another excuse. "You just

said, shaking her head, her tone softer now. "I miss him. There are things I want

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

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

+25 BONUS

My heart lurched.

head too quickly. "No,

haven't been able 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

fear was palpable, and for a moment, I froze. Just one wrong word-or even a nod-and I was sure i I

he's been called in for another mission. It's classified. He can't contact anyone

said quickly, my voice steady but my eyes darting

she shot back, practically cornering

my phone. "Look, if you don't believe me, call him yourself.

lying-at least about not being able to reach him. Instead, she mumbled under her breath, sounding more lost than anything. "He promised me... he

firm. "They're dealing with a seriously bad guy. You saw what happened in Houston-he almost dragged

to mine. "You're

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

sagged, and her grip on my arm loosened. Her eyes flickered with worry and doubt, but I could see