Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

chapter 644

Their faces tightened with suspicion. "Who are you?" one asked sharply.

It hit me-they didn't recognize me. We'd met before, but that was years ago, and they'd aged since then.

"I'm... a friend of Desmond's," I lied, keeping my tone light. No way would they tell me anything if I revealed the real reason I was here. "I heard he had a baby and thought I'd check in." Their eyes darted to each other, their unease palpable. "We've never seen you before," one said, voice sharp with doubt. "And Desmond never mentioned a

friend like you."

Their guardedness made sense-these days, you couldn't be too careful with all the scams and con artists around.

I offered a gentle smile as I handed over the small gifts I'd brought. "It's okay. I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. That's all."

But they didn't take them. "We don't know you, and we're not comfortable with

this."

With that, they turned and walked away.

I stayed rooted in place, watching them go. Following them would only make things worse, pushing their suspicion or fear over the edge.

Still, where was the child? Was he cared for by a nanny?

went to the property management office, left the gifts with them, and casually asked if they could pass them along. While

Oh, he's doing just fine," the property staff said. "They dotes on him. They take him out to play

toward a small play area within the

treat that boy like gold," he added.

to care for him. See over there? He pointed

spotted a middle-aged woman gently pushing

the couple doesn't want to hear it. You might as well take

off guard. Desmond's parents weren't just cautious-they were set in their

not to push further. Still, I left

little thing. His fair skin looked impossibly

the iciest heart. I couldn't help but take a few

"Keira?!"

me, and I looked up to see a woman 'standing nearby. It took a second to place her, but I recognized her immediately-Whitney. She used to work with Lena at the hospital. I'd run

a family doctor now?" I asked,

I struggled to find a good job,

him up, patting his

hold you?" I teased, holding my hands

and passed him to

arms, his tiny hands grabbed at my cheeks, tugging at my lips, and then he nuzzled his head into