Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 814

"Now that everyone's here, let's begin," Jace said, his voice flat.

He sounded detached, like he wasn't even part of the funeral, just some neutral bystander.

Even with Matthew's death, Jace handled the funeral plans like clockwork-calm, precise, unaffected. It was almost unsettling how serene he seemed, like nothing could touch him. anymore.

Wayne stayed silent, and Hayden stood off to the side, blending in like he was just another Johnston family member. But we all knew better.

Hayden had every reason to despise this family. The car crash that killed his dad? Matthew had orchestrated it.

Maybe he could let go of hating the living, but honoring the dead? No chance.

Seeing him so compliant next to Wayne was weird. It didn't sit right.

"Why's Hayden so... obedient? Did Wayne drug him or something?" Lena whispered, clearly on edge.

How would I know? I wasn't psychic.

"Maybe Wayne's blackmailing him," I said, the only thing that made any sense.

"That guy's a snake," Lena muttered, her jaw clenched.

Something about him felt... wrong. I just couldn't

Mom?" Wayne

With the funeral

and I headed to her

My eyes landed on the bed and

hesitated, then stepped closer.

the moment I saw her

face was pale, lips

couldn't move, couldn't think. I

1/2

+25 BONL

Chapter 814

door behind me snapped me out

"Mrs. Johnston..."

was Isabel. She walked in, spotted me, then Lindey, and gasped. "Rea, what-what happened

grabbed my arm, trembling. "What

shook me back to reality. My voice

voice frantic. "Something's wrong!

Jace and Wayne

Her skin was still warm, but it had that eerie lifelessness you can't