Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 802

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Jace's hand fell to his side, his phone slipping onto the floor. His whole body seemed to collapse under invisible weight. His voice cracked. "Mom said... Dad... he's gone." Wayne didn't react, like he'd already seen this coming.

They stood there in tense silence before Wayne nuttered, "Let's go."

***

Jace called while I was half-asleep. My dreams had been all over the place, and the phone's ringing yanked me out of that foggy mess. I groaned, fumbling for it. "Hello?" "Rea..." Jace's voice wavered, then broke.

"What is it?" I mumbled, still groggy.

"My dad... He's gone."

His voice was barely a whisper, yet it snapped me awake. My heart thudded as his words sank in.

Matthew Johnston. The man who took my parents from me-but also the man who treated me like his own daughter. I hated him, but I couldn't hate him completely.

It's why I'd been dodging my promise to Lindey to visit the Johnston house. And now? He was gone. Forever.

On the other end, I could hear Jace quietly crying. "I... I don't have a father anymore," he

to anyone who hasn't felt it. I had. Losing

can't be fixed with words, and I had nothing to give him. All I could do was

while, when his voice evened out, I finally asked,

he said, his tone

I'd be there, but I wasn't even sure I could get out of bed, let alone show up. All I could manage was a faint,

"Rea, will you come?"

how to answer. I stayed silent, the same question swirling in my own

could I really go?

1/2

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Chapter 802

freight train. "Mom told me that in his last moments, when he could barely speak, he was calling your

tilted my head back,

say anything

**。

usual

an OB-GYN as your