Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 639

I was stunned.

Lena, ever the doctor, wasn't about to rely on guesswork or theories.

She grabbed my hand, her expression soft but resolute. "Rea, you need to move. on. Hayden was incredible, but he's gone. Holding on like this isn't good for you- or for him."

Her eyes dropped to the ring on my finger. "You and Jace used to go to monastery services, right? You've heard the saying-when someone who's passed is held onto too tightly, they can't find peace or move on." At the end of science lies superstition. I didn't dismiss her words outright; my mom used to tell me the same thing when I was little.

"Rea, let him go. Live your life-really live it. That's the best way to honor him."

It wasn't about not being able to let Hayden go-it was the unanswered questions surrounding his death that refused to leave me alone.

For the first time, I felt like Lena didn't get it. I couldn't blame her, though. Anyone else in her position would've thought the same thing-that I was just stuck on Hayden.

"Fine. I'll let go," I said with a faint smile, steering the conversation away. "You crushed it as today's director. Let me treat you to dinner."

"Well, you're the rich one now," Lena said with a playful grin. "You've got so much money, the interest alone is ridiculous. I want top-tier everything."

to hold back. If I wasn't spending it, who was I saving it

Seavora, where we ate like queens. Afterward,

today?" Lena asked, narrowing

on. Well, here I am- moving on. Why are you

7/2

only bad I drapped Lena to a bar,

guys to join us

officially lost it,"

it for one night." I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "You're not married. If you don't go

using this as an excuse to stirup trouble," Lena shot back, reading me

young men over to join us. Soon, we were drinking and chatting about everything-life, philosophy, and the kind of nonsense that only

Lena pinched me.

what you're trying to do, but

it is. I just

hope

along with it anyway, and when we left the bar, each of us brought one of the guys to a

and I stayed in one room while the two

you