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."

untouchable light in her heart. Only when that light shattered could she truly let go, and he had been patiently waiting. Now, the timing was just right. "What are you two talking about?" Ron approached, pushing a cart of fruit and

to end your thirty-something years of singlehood," Hayden teased, raising his

handing out paychecks but also wives?"

and emotional-is my responsibility," Hayden quipped, clinking

who were playing nearby. "Thanks, Mr. Hart,

you like?" Hayden asked with a

toward Aaron. "What's your impression of me,

startling, but neither man was ordinary. They immediately caught

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Chapter 61

with amusement, clearly enjoying

his wine. Finally, The spoke, his tone indifferent. "Not much of

a dry laugh. "What do you mean, 'not much? Do you

to turn to Hayden. But Hayden, equally unbothered, clearly

two, Ron threw up his hands and shrugged. "It doesn't matter what you think. You're not my target anyway." With that, he pushed the