Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 636

Yara's question hit me sideways. I hadn't dared let my mind go there.

I hadn't dared to entertain such a thought,

I mean, I saw him collapse, heard the doctor say the surgery didn't work, and yeah, I even held his ashes. That's as final as it gets.

Sure, I've dreamed about him coming back. But those were just desperate little fantasies.

Life isn't some cheesy movie. Hayden died. End of story. No rewrites, no miracles. I hated it, but the truth didn't care about my feelings.

"I wish he wasn't," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Then why are you here, grilling me if you've already made peace with it?" Yara shot back.

I studied her for a moment. "Because something feels off," I said finally.

Her eyes narrowed. "What exactly feels off?"

too calm. Not even a little wrecked-that's what feels off." Yara didn't even blink. "Who says I'm not devastated?" she replied flatly. "But

I'd told myself the same thing

else bothering

stuck in my throat. It

I stayed quiet, Yara pulled a slip of paper from her bag and slid it across the table. "This

frowned. "What is

she said, nodding

stared at the words contusion twisting

Hayden, but when he didn't pick up, they teached out to

yourself? Why are you showing me this now? Trying to mess with

of her own. "What would I even do with it? It's not for me. That ring was always for you. I was just there to keep people from asking questions. If you don't believe me, check the

lips together before adding, "You must've hated me when you thought I was

wrong. Back then, just the thought of

every decision-he made it for you. And in

in my chest sharpened. I looked down at the paper again, the weight of

gaze flicked to my wrist. "Nice bracelet. The design's

ignored her comment, but Yara laughed anyway. "That red string