Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 868

"Reconciled with Nate?"

In the quiet car, Aaron's voice broke the silence as he glanced at Nate standing motionless In the rearview mirror.

"No," Lena denied softly.

"He came back this time because of you, didn't he?" Aaron asked as the car turned a corner. His hands moved fluidly on the steering wheel, the motion revealing a gray-gold watch on his wrist.

The watch's polished edges caught the light streaming through the window, casting a fleeting glimmer."

Lena's gaze lingered on the watch, her thoughts momentarily drifting. If she remembered correctly, she had given him a watch as a coming-of-age gift years ago. It had cost her all her savings back then. But that was over a decade ago. Surely, the watch she gave him would have

roken by now. This one likely just resembled it-or maybe she was remembering it wrong after so much time.

"Hm?" Aaron's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, his eyes briefly flicking to her.

Lena quickly recovered. "He came back for a research promotion."

to look at the lights. outside, murmuring, "Whatever his reasons for returning,

slightly, but instead of pressing further,

the discussion or her own thoughts, she didn't feel the slightest

Aaron said, checking the time. "We'll head home by midnight.

"I didn't think you knew how to have fun,

he replied, his tone laced with

As he unbuckled his seatbelt, he asked, "How long has it been since you went

ago I can't even remember," Lena said, trying to recall. "I think it was right after graduation, with

to Mount Vermont. There was a downpour in the middle of the night, and you were scared out of your mind, thinking a flash flood might sweep you away," she said with a

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• Chapter 860

green field stretched out, dotted with glowing lights. Beneath the lights were tents of various sizes and colors-white, red, and an array of vibrant hues, creating

explained, his voice calm. "They reserved one tent for me. I remembered you

words made Lena's eyes

here tonight?" Her excitement bubbled