Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 725 Chapter 726

Benefactor?!

I burst out laughing. Hayden didn't let his playful side show often, and when he did, it always caught me off guard.

It was just a joke, but hearing him call me that was surreal. Life really is unpredictable. You never know how things will play out or what roles you'll end up in. The future's a blank slate, and we're all just winging it.

With Hayden still recovering and Demi needing her own time to heal, I knew I couldn't handle taking care of both of them. So, I hired caregivers for each instead. Of course, Hayden flat-out refused. "I can walk, move, and feed myself. I don't need anyone," he insisted.

It wasn't just stubbornness-I knew he didn't like strangers hovering around him. And let's be real, he probably just wanted me to take care of him.

Men can be so extra sometimes, full of their own little schemes, just like us.

Lately, though, there was something different about Hayden. It was subtle, but he'd been a bit clingy-showing this softer, almost boyish side that I rarely got to see.

"I'm going to check on Yuna," I said gently, trying to change the subject. "Now that she knows Wade had an agenda, she's probably crushed."

"She's an adult," Hayden said, his tone calm but carrying layers. "If she lets a man wreck her that easily, she's too fragile for this world."

I knew he wasn't just talking about Yuna-he was throwing shade at me too.

Sliding closer on the cramped hospital bed, I hooked my foot around his playfully. "Well, I've survived you ghosting me and all your twisted life-or-death tests. Doesn't that make me pretty tough?"

the brush of his lips warm and tender. "Mm,

pretending to be offended. "When

his words like this made

magic of being loved? In front of the person who adores you, even an old woman

"A little monster-one who

pet names for each other, but this one? I kind of

12

+25 BONUS

Chapter 726

in and bit his lip gently, earning a soft hum of

a little creepy-but it was like my brain decided the best way to keep him safe was to, I don't know, chew on him? Makes sense,

swallowed. "Once I'm healed, you can eat

want."

He always knew how to flip the script on

-

babysit me," he said, all serious now. "Go live your life work, eat,

opened my mouth to argue, but then he dropped,

exactly who he meant. "Is it gonna be dangerous?" I asked, trying not to sound

dead, that car crash