Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 665

By the time I'd calmed down enough to function, I freshened up in the restroom and headed straight for the airport. Ron wasn't kidding about cutting it close-the plane had already landed by the time I got there.

Tall, probably over six feet, rocking an unbuttoned black dress shirt under a matching vest, paired with tailored black slacks. He gave off major celebrity vibes, the kind where people turn to stare without even realizing they're doing it.

I plastered on my polite-work-smile and stepped up. "Hi, I'm Keira Kay from OceanixCorp. Mr. Shane had an emergency, so he asked me to pick you up," I said, offering a handshake.

"Aaron Ace," he replied, shaking it briefly. "Give me a second. I need to grab my checked luggage."

"I'll come with you," I said, falling into step beside him toward baggage claim..

That's when I saw them-Lena and Nate.

Even without context, it was obvious what was happening. The way they walked, hand in hand, with just one suitcase between them, said it all. Nate was leaving.

Neither of them spoke as they made their way to the carousel, stopping just shy of the crowd. There was this quiet heaviness in the air, like the kind that wraps around you before a storm.

the check-in. You should go back," Nate finally said, breaking

a beat too long. He didn't need to say anything else. What could he even say? No words were going

handle it," he repeated, taking a step back. But before he could move,

a second, Nate froze, like he couldn't believe it. Then he let his suitcase drop, wrapping

baggage claim. For that moment, it was just them, pouring every ounce of emotion into a kiss that said everything they couldn't. But no matter how much they wanted to hold on, reality

he could stop her, she slipped out of his arms and walked away without looking back I took a step toward

like this, she'd probably rather be alone,"

stop in my tracks. I glanced at him, curious. He was watching Lena walk away, his expression impossible to read.

didn't wait. He just turned and kept walking toward baggage

***

+25 BONUS

Chapter 665

time we got to the parking lot, fate

puffy eyes were a

stepped forward, holding out my

on Aaron instead. Her whole vibe shifted. "What are you two doing...