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?

find out. Instead, I went to the property management office, left the gifts with them, and casually asked if they could pass them along. While I was there, I tried to bring up the child

the property staff said. "They dotes

toward a small play area within

that boy like gold," he added. "Though I heard he's

even brought in a doctor to care for him. See over there?

a middle-aged woman gently

you're a friend of their son, the couple doesn't want to hear it. You might as well take those

Desmond's parents weren't just cautious-they

further. Still, I left

said, he was the cutest, chubbiest little thing. His fair

iciest heart. I couldn't help but take

"Keira?!"

took a second to place her, but I recognized her immediately-Whitney. She used to work with Lena at the hospital. I'd run

doctor now?" I

replied. "After leaving the hospital, I struggled to find a good job, so I ended up opening a private

the stroller began squirming. Whitney picked him up, patting his back, but he

me to hold you?" I teased, holding

chuckled and passed him

cheeks, tugging at my lips, and