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Chapter 122

Author: Rosie Steppe
The awkwardness was thick, but honestly, it was probably better that he knew.

Hayden grabbed his phone, which he'd left on the table, and walked out. The second he was gone, Demi practically squealed, saying it was all over.

But I didn't give it much thought. I never intended to pursue anything with Hayden, so whether he was mad or misunderstood the situation didn't really bother me.

To me, Hayden was just a passing acquaintance. I had zero plans to get tangled up in another relationship. It wasn't like I was swearing off love because of one bad experience, but I just didn't have the emotional energy for it right now.

After breakfast, I planned to drop Demi off at work before heading to a job interview.

I'd only sent out my resume yesterday, so I was surprised when I got an interview invite this morning. The speed was unexpected, but hey, landing a job quickly sounded good to me.

But as I reached the parking lot, I noticed Wayne's car parked there. He stepped out and opened the b
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  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 123

    Her words hit me like a curveball."Lindey, I've already resigned, and I've got another interview lined up today.""What? That fast?" Lindey looked genuinely shocked."Honestly, I decided to leave the day Jace and I didn't get our marriage certificate," I said, meeting her gaze without flinching."Working with Jace after everything would just be... weird. Even if Jace didn't want me to quit, I was planning to leave after the amusement park project wrapped up," I explained, trying to keep things simple.Lindey shook her head. "It doesn't have to be like this, Rea. If it's awkward, you could transfer to another department or even a different branch. Just put some space between you two.""I get that you're worried I might struggle somewhere else, but I really want to see what's out there," I said, making my point clear.Tears welled up in Lindey's eyes again. She shook her head, whispering, "How did it end up like this? If you can't be my daughter-in-law, I can accept that, but now

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 124

    As far as the conversation had gone, Lindey couldn't push any further, no matter what she was thinking.She nodded, saying, "Rea, you're like a daughter to me."But if she really saw me that way, there was no way she'd be okay with setting me up with Wayne. Then again, maybe it was Wayne's idea—he did confess his feelings to me, after all."Alright, maybe we could have a small ceremony when Wayne and Jace have some free time. I could officially become your and Matthew's goddaughter," I suggested, watching Lindey's expression falter for just a split second.It was clear she wasn't thrilled about making me her goddaughter.In Kehlmark, godfamilies were basically like extended family, with all the same social rules. If I became Lindey and Matthew's goddaughter, dating one of their sons would be straight-up incest.But I couldn't just ignore how kind she'd been to me for the past decade, and I wasn't about to let doubt mess that up."Okay," Lindey finally agreed.I drove her back t

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 125

    I looked Jace straight in the eye. "What do you want? Here to demand some kind of compensation? Or maybe you're planning to sue me for, I don't know, assault?"His voice dropped, all cold and CEO-like. "What do you take me for?""I'm here to apologize. I was impulsive and reckless yesterday. You were right to hit me," he said, catching me completely off guard.I glanced at the bandage peeking out from under his cap and just nodded. "Good that you realize it."Jace let out this bitter laugh. "Rea, I've noticed you've become... a bit more ruthless."How exactly was I being ruthless? I didn't bother asking. Instead, I said, "What you did was wrong.""Yeah, I know. Yesterday was on me. And getting too close to Tanya, ignoring your feelings—that was on me too. Letting her stay in the penthouse I got for you, that was just messed up. Even giving her my sup card was wrong," Jace continued, reflecting on his screw-ups.I had no idea where he was going with this, but he didn't stop. "I'm

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 126

    I got to the interview spot at eleven sharp. The office was kind of out of the way—not in the downtown area, but like a twenty-minute drive from my place, on the edge of the city.I'd already done some digging on this company. They were into lighting development and had even put in a bid for the amusement park's lighting gig, though they didn't end up getting it.Actually, when the amusement park had those lighting issues, I thought about hitting them up to help sort it out.These two things made me keep an eye on the company, and as luck would have it, they were hiring for a job that matched what I was good at—marketing and promotion.I applied to them first, and they were the first to call me in for an interview.The company had rented out an office building—not exactly as fancy as RiverwaveCorp Tower, but it still took up three floors. I rode the elevator to the right level and followed the signs to the HR office.As soon as I walked in, someone greeted me with a smile. "You m

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 127

    "Welcome aboard, Ms. Kay." Ron reached out to shake my hand this time, then called someone over to help me with the paperwork.In less than thirty minutes, I was officially part of the company.That was when it hit me—Jace still hadn't approved my resignation. But if push came to shove, I could always ask Matthew. He'd definitely have my back.My phone buzzed in my pocket, vibrating a bunch of times. I'd ignored it while I was talking to Ron.It was Lena calling. "Where are you? I'm off today—want to hang out?"Lena, with a day off? It was super rare.She had been buried in work lately because it was peak baby season."So, you're finally getting a break from delivering babies?" I teased."Yeah, it's like all these moms decided to sync up their due dates, and now suddenly, they're all holding off," Lena groaned. I'd heard this rant before.These days, people were so extra—they would plan everything down to the last detail, even when to have their babies. Some would even follow

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 128

    Just as I was trying to figure out who could be messing with me, more calls started rolling in—one about a ring order, another about the wedding venue.That was when it hit me: this wasn't just a prank. When I finally asked who'd placed all these orders, I learned exactly who was behind it.Jace. Of course.I knew he wouldn't do something as childish as prank calls just to get under my skin. Realizing what he might actually be up to, I called him directly. "Jace Johnston! What the hell are you trying to do? We've already broken up, and here you are ordering a wedding dress and a ring. Who are you trying to gross out?""Don't think so lowly of me. You think I'm doing this just to annoy you? You've always doubted that I cared, doubted my love for you. Well, let's get married now. That should prove I only want to be with you, right?" Jace's words made my disappointment sink even deeper."Jace, do you really think love is about forcing someone into a wedding dress and shoving a ring o

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 129

    I didn't even realize Lena was there until she handed me a cup of tea. "Jace is such a jerk. I never thought things would get this ugly once he showed his true colors."I took a sip, letting the warmth seep through me. "Turns out, he was just pitying me."Even though Jace and I had broken up, the memories of the good times still clung to me. But today, his words shredded those memories, leaving only the bitter truth behind.Lena put a comforting hand on my shoulder, rubbing it gently. "Better to see him for what he really is now than later."I didn't say anything, just stared into my cup. Lena nudged me. "Wanna get back at him?""What?"Jace's words had cut deep, reopening wounds I thought were long healed, dragging me back to the worst time of my life.He wasn't totally wrong—after the car accident that killed my parents, when they were lying cold in the morgue, I really did feel like I was all alone in the world. I had no idea what to do.I was so lost, I couldn't even bring

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 130

    Hayden paused for a few seconds before asking, "Have you been drinking?" His voice was magnetically pleasant.I brushed off his question and pushed harder. "Are you willing or not?"Instead of answering, Hayden asked, "Where are you?"I sighed, frustrated. "Forget it, I already know what you're gonna say," I muttered, ready to hang up, but Hayden's voice stopped me."Keira, where are you? Are you at home or somewhere else?" Hayden's voice had this tone that made it clear he wasn't messing around.All the emotions I'd been holding back just burst out. "Who do you think you are, and why do you care? I can be wherever I want—"Before I could finish, Lena leaned in and grabbed the phone. "Don't worry, she's at my place. I'm her best friend," she said.Then she whispered in my ear, "Be nice if you want his help."I pushed her away, laughing, still wrapped up in our little back-and-forth, when Hayden's voice came through again. "We'll talk when you're sober tomorrow."He hung up bef

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    "You silly girl, what nonsense are you spouting?" Briana gave Lena a light slap on the arm. "Mom, if I marry Uncle Aaron, then he won’t have a reason to leave, right? Isn’t that a good thing?" Lena continued to test the waters. "Good thing? What good is there in that? Do you have any idea how many people would gossip about you, me, and the Ace family if that happened?" Briana’s concerns mirrored Lena’s own fears. "But Uncle Aaron has already stated that he’s no longer part of the Ace family. Who would still have anything to say?" Lena argued, trying to persuade her mother. Briana shook her head. "People will always find something to gossip about. Even if he’s not part of the Ace family, they’ll still wag their tongues." "Didn’t you always say, ‘Walk your own path and let others talk’? Let them say what they want. It’s not like we’re losing a piece of flesh," Lena quipped, spouting her own brand of twisted logic. Briana finally realized something was off. She twisted Lena’s

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    "I'm just amazed that pregnancy has made you smarter. Most people say pregnancy makes women forgetful for three years," Hayden teased Keira with a rare grin. Keira gave him a gentle kick. "Did Aaron ask you to pass on his thoughts?" "No, it's just what I think," Hayden replied earnestly. He would never lie to her. Keira sighed softly. "Love between two people isn’t something outsiders can meddle with. But maybe Aaron’s actions today will help Lena realize what’s in her heart." "Let’s wait and see," Hayden said, finishing the massage before applying lotion and stretch mark cream to Keira's belly. "Baby, give Dad a little kick," Hayden said, stroking her belly. Right after he spoke, the baby really did kick. Keira couldn’t help but laugh; this little one was so obedient to their dad. "Just a few kicks, alright? Mommy needs to sleep, so don’t bother her," Hayden instructed. The baby obediently kicked a few more times before settling down. Keira was curious. "I think our ba

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 973

    Keira stared at the messages Lena had just sent her. She could sense something was up, so she immediately called her, but Lena declined the call. Instead, she replied with another message: [I’m at my grandparents’ house, and my mother is here too.] Keira had no choice but to keep texting her: [Did Aaron upset you today?] Lena sent Keira a string of ellipses. That endless row of dots made her even more curious. [What happened exactly?] Keira pressed. Lena replied: [He brought his girlfriend home today.] After sending that message, she also sent Keira a screenshot of a payment receipt and added: [Spot the highlight.] Keira zoomed in on the image and finally noticed the note: Name Change Fee. [Wow, how generous! 600,000 dollars just for a name change fee. What did you call her to make it worth that much?] Keira was shocked. Lena then sent Keira a voice message, explaining the situation in detail. At the end, she added: [He used to tell me how long he’d liked me, but now he’s

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 972

    "Aaron, I want to add Lena on WhatsApp." Xandra actually asked Aaron, gently tugging on his sleeve with a delicate and endearing expression that made her look pitifully lovable. Aaron glanced at her, his gaze filled with a warmth Lena was all too familiar with. Once upon a time, he had looked at her the same way. Now, he could look at other women like that. So, never believe a man when he says things like, I've liked you for years. "If you want to add her, then add her," Aaron's approval made Xandra look at him with delight. Lena, however, truly didn’t want to add her. She and Xandra weren’t close, and they likely wouldn’t ever be. Lena didn’t enjoy socializing with strangers, so she smiled faintly. "Aren’t you afraid I might tell her something about you, Uncle Aaron?" Aaron’s gaze turned cold and distant, his voice calm. "There’s nothing about me that Xandy can’t know." Ha! Lena sneered inwardly. If that were the case, why had he just warned her earlier? Double stand

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 971

    Under the table, Lena felt her mother's foot nudge her—a clear signal: Let Xandra win. Lena gritted her teeth. Why was everyone fawning over a girlfriend who hadn’t even officially joined the family? Annoyed, she huffed inwardly. The more you tell me to lose, the harder I’ll fight to win. The game began, and Lena’s starting hand was exceptional—practically a heavenly draw. She was only one card away from winning while the others still struggled with mismatched cards. It seemed like an easy victory was in the cards for her. But then, as if under a spell, her luck took a sharp turn. None of the cards she needed showed up. Worse, every time she reached for a card, Xandra would intercept it with a call, blocking her progress entirely. As the rounds continued, even her mother, Briana, reached a ready hand, while Lena was still stuck with the same cards she started with. Soon, her grandmother joined the fray, and eventually, even Xandra declared readiness. Three players were now

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 970

    Lena’s heart fluttered in panic. Why was he standing here? Had he overheard what she’d said earlier? There was no use regretting it now. She could only pretend he hadn’t heard anything and called out, trying to sound natural, “Uncle!” She had just given herself a pep talk in the bathroom, but seeing him standing so close now, her heartbeat still faltered. Aaron’s deep, starry eyes fixed on her. “Xandy is very simple and innocent. She doesn’t take well to certain things. I trust you understand what I mean?” Lena’s chaotic heartbeats suddenly settled. So this was why he had waited for her—to make sure she wouldn’t tell Xandra about his past feelings for her. A strange, sharp pain twisted in her chest, so intense it stole her breath for a moment. Clenching her fist by her side, she pinched herself hard to suppress the ache and avoid showing any emotion. “What ‘certain things’ are you referring to, Uncle? I don’t believe there’s anything you’ve shared with me that’s worth m

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 969

    “Come here,” Deborah called, motioning for Lena to approach. She introduced her to Xandra with a cheerful smile. “The two of you may be the same age, but from now on, you must properly call her your aunt. Understand?” Xandra’s face flushed red. “There’s no need for that. Just call me Xandy.” Nervously, she tugged at Aaron’s sleeve. He glanced at her before responding calmly, “Our family values etiquette. Generational hierarchy matters.” Etiquette? Wasn’t this just a ploy to make her call Xandra “Aunt”? Was he in such a rush to give her a title to avoid any misunderstandings? Whether it was to clarify things for Xandra or to distance himself from her, Lena couldn’t help but feel a petty frustration bubbling up. Fine. If Aaron wanted her to say it, she would. “Aunt Xandra,” Lena said, her tone neutral but deliberate. Xandra’s face turned even redder. “No, really, you can just call me Xandy.” “I should call you that, and it’s not for free. As my elder, you owe me a red e

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 968

    “Mr. Ace, why the sudden preference for plain water?” Elaine asked as she poured a glass. “It’s not for me. It’s for Xandy,” Aaron replied, his eyes flicking toward Lena, who kept her head down, still rinsing the same tomato. Elaine chuckled. “Your girlfriend is very pretty. She seems like a sweet and kind young lady. I bet your parents can finally relax now.” “Mm, everyone can be at ease,” Aaron replied, his tone carrying a subtle undertone. Lena didn’t lift her head, but she heard the implication clearly. “Not just at ease—happy too,” Elaine said as she handed him the glass of water. Taking it, Aaron thanked her. “Thank you, Elaine.” Then he left the kitchen. Elaine watched him go, sighing wistfully. “His parents have been waiting for this day for so long.” Turning back, she noticed Lena was still rinsing the same tomato—again. Elaine reached over and turned off the faucet. “Miss Lena, if you keep washing that tomato, it’s going to lose all its skin,” she teased.

  • Love's Redemption   Chapter 967

    "Do I need to change my shoes?" A gentle female voice came from the doorway. Lena thought she must be hearing things. She snapped her head up, and her eyes landed on a tall girl in casual attire standing by the entrance. Next to her was Aaron, dressed in a dark coat. They hadn’t looked into the house yet, as the entryway was positioned just out of sight from the main living area. However, from her spot on the sofa, Lena had a clear view of them. “No won't be necessary. My parents don’t wear slippers at home,” Aaron explained patiently. Lena felt as if she were frozen in place, her mind going blank as she stared at the two of them. Hearing the commotion, Briana walked out from the kitchen, and she, too, stopped in her tracks. It was rare—unheard of, even—for Aaron to bring a girl home. The implications were obvious. “Sister,” Aaron greeted Briana first, then introduced the girl beside him. “This is my friend.” Briana nodded quickly, her surprise evident. “Hello!” The g

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