Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 754

"Wayne, I know what you want, but don't waste your breath. My answer's still no," I said cutting straight to the point.

"You can't take on the Drago family," he replied, half warning, half trying to intimidate me.

I smiled faintly. After everything I'd been through, his words barely scratched the surface. Maybe. But I'll still try. Who knows? I might pull it off."

"Like a mouse going up against a lion," he scoffed, his tone laced with mockery. "You know how pointless that is, don't you?"

I pressed my lips together for a second, then said, "Do you know what sets humans apart from animals? Courage. The courage to resist, to fight, and to push boundaries."

Wayne didn't answer right away. My resolve caught him off guard. Finally, he sighed. "If you want Hayden safe, hand over what you're hiding. Then you two can take the money and live however you want. Wouldn't that be better?"

It wasn't like him to say something so... reasonable. Maybe he was finally letting go of his obsession with me.

But his plan wouldn't work. If I followed it, Hayden and I would end up in an even worse

situation.

"You want me to scrape by?" I asked, shaking my head lightly. "My parents taught me to live with dignity. To walk this earth with a clear conscience, so I can sleep at night and eat in peace."

"If I took the easy way out, I wouldn't even have

do as you like. But let

worth a fortune," I shot back, my voice dripping with

a second before hardening. "Since this is the path

despite the knot

heartbeat, but didn't look back before walking out the

long breath, the weight of worry and longing for

chest.

Chapter 754

+25 BONUS

already making moves meant hiding it wasn't enough. I was the only one who knew where it was, and if

keep the secret safe if I couldn't. Waiting around wasn't an option; I had to

anything solid, and at the end of the day, she was still tied to the Drago family. I couldn't

For now,

my head the only

had been sold, and the new owner had taken over. Judging by the vibe, the people running it now were likely part of

my surprise, the owner recognized me and said, "Steve left

after stepping away, Steve's thoughtfulness amazed me. He'd made sure