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.

you been?" she

"I'm doing well."

nodded quickly, almost like she needed to convince herself. "That's good.

didn't ask how she was. The answer

for someone?" she

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

cracked slightly. "That's wonderful. Edison always liked Rea. He's mentioned her before..." Her words trailed off as she turned away,

her like this. It hurt, but I didn't know what to say. "Lindey, I'll go make my selection now," I said

come visit sometime? Matthew doesn't have much time left. He really wants to see you." Hearing those words-doesn't have much time left-hit me harder than I

I said after a

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

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Chapter 785

evident. "Let me know when you'll come, and I'll make

excitement left me

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

eventually nodded, walking away, though