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.

stayed quiet, throat tight. On the other end, I could hear

explain to anyone who hasn't felt it. I

give him. All I could do was

evened out, I

days," he said, his

say 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

could I really go?

1/2

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Chapter 802

me that in his last moments, when he could barely speak, he was calling

head back, staring at the ceiling. "I'll

anything else-just

**。

a few tests, poking and prodding, before giving me a once-over with her usual doctor glare. "You're not bleeding anymore, and everything looks stable. But no heavy lifting, no tripping, no wild movements, and if you feel

as your best friend?