Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 758

In the distance, a figure was retreating into the shadows.

Under the moonlight, that silhouette stood out

familiar, clear, yet so far away.

"Jace, thank you," I murmured softly, my words carried only by the wind. Without his help, getting close to Mrs. Drago wouldn't have been so easy. Maybe part of the reason she had agreed so readily was because of him.

Even when he wasn't visible, even when I had no idea what he was doing, he was always helping me in silence. Maybe this was his way of loving me.

I tilted my head up to the glowing moon, and in that moment, I felt something I hadn't expected: release.

Release from the ten years of my life tied to Jace.

People always say breaking up with an ex feels like losing your youth. But for me, it wasn't Back in my room, I didn't go to sleep right away. Instead, I snapped a picture of the moon outside my window and posted it to social media with a single word: [Released.] Lena liked it almost instantly and messaged me: [Released what?]

I replied just as fast: [The past.]

[Why are

She attached a picture of a newborn baby with a note: [The 1,385th little

four-digit a quiet testament to her dedication and

-

expecting rose in me. The thought of having a child of my own struck hard and fast, catching

on the app. My fingers moved on their own, typing out

knowing full well it was pointless. The message vanished into the void like all the

he'd surprise me-just once-with

a few more messages, and when I didn't reply, she hit me with a sticker: [Fell asleep?] Chapter

just thinking about

Lena: [Thinking about Hayden?]

+25 BONUS

Just in case I went full missing-person vibes, Lena was ready to bring the bad guys down. Hayden had once told me the data-sync thingy hidden in the box was always collecting info, even while he was MIA. I didn't bother asking how it worked-magic, probably? But if it used his phone, it's not like he'd have that on him. Even if he did, it would've been hacked six ways to Sunday by

out loud, I texted Lena: [Do you think Hayden could have a chip in

I know? Hayden's your guy. If he's hiding something, maybe

Walked right into