Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

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785

"Wrap it up in a gift box-it's for someone," Lindey told the clerk. She turned, and the moment her eyes landed on me, her voice wavered. "Rea."

"Hi Lindey." I said, stepping toward her.

Her eyes filled with tears almost instantly. "Rea..

That was all she managed to say. Just my name like she had so much on her mind but couldn't get the words out.

1 studied her quietly. In just a few months, her hair had more streaks of gray, and her face. looked tired, drained of life. The spark in her eyes was gone.

I didn't need to ask how she'd been. Matthew's illness, the tension between her sons, the family crumbling-it was written all over her face.

It all seemed to unravel after I broke up with Jace. They say a peaceful family brings prosperity, and looking at her now, I finally got it.

you been?" she asked after a long

"I'm doing well."

almost like she needed to convince herself. "That's good. That's really

ask how she was. The answer was painfully

out artwork for someone?" she

my grandpa's birthday," Lena chimed in. "Rea's helping pick

liked Rea. He's mentioned her before..." Her words trailed off as she turned away, swallowing

seeing her like this. It hurt, but I didn't know what to

visit sometime? Matthew doesn't have much time left. He really wants to see you." Hearing

said after a

end, and for all Matthew's wrongs,

+25 BONUS

Chapter 785

know when you'll come, and I'll make gnocchi and all your

left me feeling heavy. I nodded.

insisted. "Lindey, no," I said firmly. "It's a

nodded, walking away, though she kept glancing back