Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

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"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.

she asked after

"I'm doing well."

she needed to convince

ask how she was.

here picking out artwork for someone?" she

chimed in. "Rea's helping

going to Edison's?" Lindey's voice cracked slightly. "That's wonderful. Edison always liked Rea. He's mentioned

like this. It hurt, but I didn't know what to say. "Lindey, I'll go

spoke. "Could you... could you come visit sometime? Matthew doesn't have much time left. He really wants to see you."

I said

most honest near the end, and for all Matthew's wrongs, it felt like fate had already caught up

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Chapter 785

relief evident. "Let me know when you'll come, and I'll make gnocchi and all your

gratitude and excitement left me feeling

Lindey tried to pay for my selection. "Let me handle it," she insisted. "Lindey, no," I said firmly. "It's a gift from me. It only counts if I pay for it

away, though she kept glancing back over