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.

other end, I could hear Jace quietly crying. "I...

something you can't explain to anyone who hasn't felt

fixed with words, and I had nothing to give him. All I

a while, when his voice evened out, I finally asked, "When's

said, his

but I wasn't even sure I could get out of bed, let alone show up.

"Rea, will you come?"

stayed silent, the same question swirling

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

stung my eyes. I tilted my head back, staring at the ceiling. "I'll go,"

anything else-just hung

**。

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 even a little off, you call me.

as your best friend? Life.