Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 861

The black silk shirt Hayden wore clung to his chest and billowed behind him in the sea breeze. Leaning lazily against the railing, he radiated an air of casual freedom. "Ready to act?"

"We've already begun," Aaron replied. Unlike Hayden, who carried a hint of unruly charm, Aaron exuded a steady composure.

Hayden thought of how Aaron had already brought Lena back home and tested the waters with a question. "Figured out how to explain things to your family?"

"No rush," Aaron said lazily. "It'll be easier to explain once she's made up

her mind."

"Looks like you've set the stage long ago, just waiting for the right time to close the net," Hayden remarked. The two of them had met overseas in their early years, never expecting to reconnect under such circumstances. The irony wasn't lost on either of them-the women they loved most were best friends, as close as sisters.

"Do you regret it? Regret waiting so long to act?" Hayden asked, alluding to Lena's past relationship with Nate.

Aaron's gaze lingered on the rolling waves. "No. Everything has unfolded perfectly."

an untouchable light in her heart. Only when that light shattered could she truly let go, and he had

your thirty-something years of singlehood,"

handing out

well-being-both physical and emotional-is my responsibility," Hayden quipped, clinking

and me, who were playing nearby.

Found someone you like?" Hayden asked with

Aaron. "What's your impression of

in conversation was startling, but neither man was ordinary. They immediately

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Chapter 61

amusement, clearly enjoying the show, as he

even as he sipped his wine. Finally, The spoke, his tone indifferent. "Not much of an

dry laugh. "What do you mean, 'not much? Do you not know me well,

to offer explanations, leaving Ron to turn to Hayden. But Hayden, equally

"It doesn't matter what you think. You're not my target anyway." With