Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 681

I wasn't sure if Jace was actually going to throw a punch, but standing there felt like its own kind of humiliation. Without saying a word, I spun on my heel and walked off, ditching the wheelchair for good. "What a waste of oxygen," Lena snapped at the crowd before rushing over to help me.

Once we were clear, she blurted out, "Rea, didn't he have a mole on his neck? Could he have had it removed? Did you check for scars?"!

Her question made it obvious-she still didn't believe Xander wasn't Hayden. I mean, that face was way too similar to his.

I shook my head. I hadn't believed it either, at first. I'd touched his neck, searching for anything-a scar, a clue, something-but there was nothing.

Lena caught my expression and frowned. She helped me sit down and asked again, "So, what do you think? Is it him or not?"

I hesitated. Sometimes your gut knows what your eyes can't, especially when anything can be faked these days.

"I don't know," I admitted quietly.

At first, I was so sure he was Hayden-hiding his identity, pretending not to know me. But the coldness in his voice earlier, the look in his eyes when he said he wanted to call the cops-it all felt wrong. Hayden loved me. He made me a charm bracelet, even ordered a custom ring for me. I still wear them both. No way he wouldn't have noticed.

acted so heartless, like I was just

you're sure he isn't Hayden," Lena said, "then treat him like anyone else. Don't let it mess

was probably trying to keep

sighed. "Or, you know, there's always DNA testing. He's a Hart, right? Compare his DNA with

be tricky," I muttered. Lena paused, but she didn't

her head. "Yeah, they probably wouldn't cooperate either." She sighed. "You could've given him a kid. Then at least you'd have something to go on." DNA testing wasn't happening, but I wasn't out of

kind of tired that seeps into your bones. The second I got home, I passed out-a rare win after nights

All of

He wasn't Hayden. But why did he look exactly like

when I was digging into

1. be.

Heck, maybe Cole had sent Xander to me on purpose. But why? What was

and Cole were

it hit me-Cole was planning

coincidence; it was part of a setup. But why did