Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

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Chapter 709

The promise of more gifts had the kids scattering like a flock of birds, rushing toward him with hands outstretched. Their boldness made it clear-Wade was no stranger here.

I sat up, smoothing my hair, still messy from the kids' ambush, and wiped with their kisses.

Wade approached, handing me a tissue. "These kids can be a handful."

my face, damp

"They are, but they're adorable," I said with a smile. "Being around them makes you feel young again."

My gaze

drifted to where Xander and Yuna stood a little ways off, deep in conversation.

"Sometimes they drive you crazy," Wade said lightly. "They've brought Yuna to tears more than once."

I turned to him, catching the shift in his tone. His eyes flickered with guilt before he quickly looked away.

knew what he was trying to avoid, but I couldn't help but ask, "Have you figured out how you feel about Yuna

it clear-he didn't conflate Yuna

didn't push. Instead, I

darted to my face, then quickly away. "What, are you her relative

chuckled. "You

to Narelle, and Wade looked genuinely shocked. After a moment, he sighed. "If Narelle were here, she'd be so happy. She always said she felt lonely, like she didn't have a sibling." If she were alive, we

life doesn't let you have what you

brought up sending Yuna to Kehlmark Royal Academy. Wade's sudden silence

"Do you not want her to go? Are you worried she won't

"Have you ever noticed how strange

between people can be?"

есть

something "Alright," I said "What's so strange

after the transplant, she started liking things she used to hate He wasn't wrong-Yuna had told me something similar before. Meeting his gaze, I asked, "Are you saying Narelle is still here? That she's living

I don't want to think that way,

knew where

that bother you?"

a small nod. "I want

was the core of his struggle-he didn't want Yuna to be a replacement for Narelle,