Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter

800

"It's nothing!" Lena said, shoving her phone away.

Which, of course, meant it was definitely something. But if she wasn't ready to talk, I wasn't going to push. Probably something to do with Nate.

That lingering connection-the one where things are over but not really over-was something I understood too well.

Like me and Jace. Even after all this time and starting over, there were still threads that tied us together. It wasn't love anymore, but the history, the complications... those don't just disappear.

***

When Lindey found out I was pregnant, she showed up with a basket of supplements.

is wonderful! You're going to be a mom!" she gushed, her

the room.

right here. Come home and let me take care

they gave me during the ten years I lived with them. Guilt-driven or not, it was real, and

Jace's feelings for me still lingered, and Wayne's... well, they were way too intense. Moving back into their home would've been a disaster waiting to happen. But honestly, the past had left scars I couldn't ignore. There was a wall between me and the way things used to be-a line I couldn't cross, no

fell, disappointment dimming her expression. The gray at her temples seemed starker under the

managed to pull together a smile. "You're

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Chapter 200

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her eyes stopped me. She didn't say it, but her gaze begged me not to push her away

lit up instantly, her smile so wide it deepened the wrinkles around her eyes. I stared for a moment,

when he heard you're having a baby," she said, her tone brimming with

and I stayed silent, my gaze dropping to the floor. Sensing the shift in my mood, Lindey quickly moved on. "Anyway, I'll take care of everything for the baby. You