Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 789

too busy... or don't want to, you don't have to," he said.

I got what he meant and gave him a small smile. "I'm not forcing myself."

His eyes softened, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw tears.

"Thank you," he said, his voice sincere.

I blinked, caught off guard. He was thanking me for making peace, for agreeing to see his parents. But there wasn't much else to say. I looped my arm through Lena's. "We need to see Grandpa Edison. Goodbye, Jace." "Goodbye," he murmured.

As soon as we were out of earshot, Lena turned to me, smirking. "You and your ex are getting pretty cozy these days. If Hayden doesn't show up soon, I wouldn't be shocked if you two rekindled things."

I shot her a look. "Do I seem that desperate? Like I can't survive without a guy?"

"I'm just saying," Lena said, shrugging. "You might get soft. Jace has a way of playing the emotional card."

She wasn't wrong. Lena had always been firmly Team Hayden.

"What I don't get," I said, "is why you're so harsh on Jace. Both he and Hayden betrayed me, right? Why do you hate him so much? Did he, like, curse your family or something?"

Lena pinched me hard, and I yelped. "Their betrayals weren't the same. Hayden faked it to protect you-it was all a front. Jace? He actually cheated with his friend's wife."

Her tone turned serious. "Rea, don't let your scars heal just to forget the pain."

I let out a bitter smile. "I won't."

FE

Chapter 789

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Chapter 789

you won't," Lena said with a small smile. She loved to tease, but I knew she

where Lena's grandpa, Edison Ace, stood in a regal purple -and-gold suit, happily accepting gifts like the

the artwork I'd brought, his eyes lit up.

something similar earlier. Edison was just an expert at making people feel good about

nudged me

with a small smile. She loved to tease, but

Ace, stood in a regal purple -and-gold suit, happily accepting

brought, his eyes lit up. "This is special-I like

a nice gesture, but it wasn't that remarkable. Lindey had gifted something similar earlier. Edison was just an

smoothly, "Grandpa, I didn't invite him. I just wanted to

fooled-my presence didn't exactly explain Nate's

to dodge any

his tone casual but commanding. "But don't go

I exchanged a

us to cut the cake, do you?" she joked, grinning

rascal! I can handle a knife just fine.

what? Rekindling things with

of her grandma

the head.

he looked more amused than annoyed. "No, I want your help finding a wife for Aaron." Lena and I exchanged

dramatically. "He's in his thirties and still hasn't had a girlfriend. Do you know what people are saying? They think he's unnatural. Some even

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Chapter 780

Grandpa, maybe they're right!"

He nodded toward a group of well-dressed