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Chapter 742
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Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 743
"One Sloppy Joe Taco, extra hot sauce," Lena said, stepping up to the counter. She didn't bother asking Aaron what he wanted; she assumed he wouldn't eat tacos anyway.But, of course, Aaron had to surprise her."One Ground Beef Taco."Lena turned to him. "You're eating?"Aaron looked unbothered. "What else? You eat, and I just sit here watching?"The eatery owner, catching the vibe, laughed and chimed in, "We get couples sharing one large taco all the time."Lena's face burned. Couples? Lady, please.Another misunderstanding. By now, Lena could practically write a memoir about them.Back in school, when Aaron was still around, people constantly assumed they were a couple. One clueless teacher even accused them of dating and threatened to call their parents. Iconic.Now, as full-grown adults, it was borderline laughable that they still couldn't dodge the same assumptions.Lena cast a quick glance at Aaron. Honestly, he barely looked older than herโannoyingly flawless."My unc
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 744
'Double standards much?' Lena thought, scoffing inwardly. A minute ago, he swore up and down he didn't have a girlfriend. Now he was pulling one out of thin air just to shut someone down? Wouldn't a simple no thanks have worked?"If you don't believe me, ask her," Aaron added, shifting the pressure right onto Lena.'Oh, come on.' Lena mentally rolled her eyes. Why was she being dragged into this mess?The girl, of course, turned to Lena, waiting for confirmation with wide, hopeful eyes.Lena glared at Aaron, ready to set the record straight, but before she could, he swooped in again."She was just asking me earlier about taking my girlfriend to the OB-GYN," he said smoothly, his words landing like a grenade.Lena froze, utterly speechless.The girl's face shifted through shock, realization, and total embarrassment before she bolted out of the eatery."You've been turning down a lot of admirers lately. Pretty smooth moves," Lena teased.Aaron didn't bite. "Your tacos are here,"
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 745
Sasha's eyes snapped to Lena, searching her face for any sign she was serious."If you want to see him, I can help," Lena said with a small, knowing smile. "Well, not meโKeira can help you."The moment Sasha saw Lena, she'd already guessed Keira was behind this.The second Keira's name came up, Sasha let out a bitter laugh. "Keira? She's barely keeping her own head above water.""Speaking of which, Keira wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for you."Sasha's gaze faltered. "What does that have to do with me?"Lena didn't bother softening the blow. "Ms. Grey, let's not play games. Your daughter, Ninaโshe's missing because you had someone take her. Isn't she?"Sasha's face flashed with panic before she slammed her hand on the couch, anger flaring. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Why would I kidnap my own daughter? Iโ""You wanted to use Nina to get to Ian Carter," Lena interrupted.Sasha's lips quivered as she turned away, trying to deny it. "I didn't.""You don't ha
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 746
"What is it?" Lena asked, unfazed.If there was one constant in life, it was people always wanting something in return."Keira has to take the fall for 'kidnapping my daughter'," Sasha said bluntly, cutting straight to the point."You're in a bind and need a way out, right?" she asked, zeroing in on Sasha's true motive.Sasha didn't even try to deny it. "That bastard Thorstenโhe acts like he cares about Nina, but when push comes to shove, he's in no hurry to do anything."Her original plan had been to use Nina as leverage to squeeze money out of Thorsten, but the man wasn't biting.Meanwhile, Nina was locked away, crying, throwing fits, and causing chaos. Sasha couldn't risk checking on her without exposing herself, and now, the whole scheme was on the verge of crumbling.But she couldn't just drop the act and let Nina go without a cover story. Thorsten had already started digging into the kidnapping, and it was only a matter of time before his investigation pointed to her.She
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 747
"No, I just want Nina back ASAP," she shot back, looking like she hadn't slept in days.Aw, poor thing. Except, not really. "You've waited this long. What's a few more days?"The second I finished, Sasha's temper hit full send. "Keira, what's that supposed to mean? You're not planning to double-cross me, are you?""I'm saying, wait a couple of days," I replied."Wait for what? What are you pulling now?" Her tone screamed 'I'm onto you.'I glanced out the window. "I'm waiting for someone to come back safely."She grabbed my arm. "You're planning to use Nina to trade for Xander, aren't you?"So, she did know about Xander. No point pretending. "Yeah," I admitted, straight up."Keira!" she snapped. "How can you be so vile? Nina's just a kid!""And she's your kid, yet here you are, using her like a chess piece," I shot back, zero sympathy.Let's be realโSasha handed Nina over as leverage. Now she was mad I played the game better?Her glare could've melted steel, but after a few b
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 748
I braced myself. What could he possibly need to say? Probably his last wishesโstuff to handle once he was gone."Uncle Damien, stop. You don't need to talk about this. You'll be fine," I said, trying to shut it down.But he wasn't hearing it. He went on, carefully spelling out every detail: his assets, properties, even people I should know about.It felt like he was reading out a will. And yeah, we weren't super close, but it still hit hard. This wasn't just paperworkโit was goodbye in disguise.Noticing my reaction, he softened his voice, trying to console me. "Rea, everyone's time comes. When it's mine, don't be too sad, okay? Your Aunt Abby and I will finally be with Narelle again. Our family will be whole. That's something to be happy about."Hearing that crushed me. I finally understood the loneliness he'd been drowning in since losing Narelle. Every day must've felt like an endless void.He never talked about it, but his grief for her was carved deep into his soul.My ches
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 749
From the look on her face, it was clearโLena didn't order anything.I got up to help her with the package, figuring she was wiped from her day in surgery. I double-checked the label. Yep, it was addressed to her."Maybe one of your admirers sent you a gift?" I teased, setting the box on the table.Lena gave me a seriously? look but grabbed a box cutter and started slicing it open.I leaned in to watch because, honestly, I was just as curious.Big mistake.The second she pulled back the flaps and opened the inner box, we both screamed like we were extras in a horror movie.And kept screaming.Because slithering out of the box was a snake.Our panic didn't stop until someone outside, probably alarmed by the banshee-level noise, burst in and grabbed the snake.Lena and I were ghost-white. The thing had launched out of the box like it had a vendetta, brushing past our faces as it slithered away.Here's the thingโwe weren't just scared of snakes. Anything remotely squirmy, even a
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 750
Of course, Cole had a demand. That snake stunt and the address were just bait to pull me into his game.Classic Cole. Like father, like sonโhe'd mastered every dirty trick in the book."Why don't you tell me what it is first?" No way was I letting him think he held all the cards.Cole knew I cared about Lena, but I wasn't about to hand him that power on a silver platter."Hand over what Hayden gave you," he said, cutting straight to the chase.I let out a short laugh. "And if I told you he didn't give me anything, would you believe me?"Cole smirked. "Now that's just boring."I leaned in, mirroring his smirk. "Look, I get itโyou think I'm hiding something. But let me remind you of a little timeline. Back in Houston, you saw the mess Hayden and I were in. After that, I didn't even get to see him before he was dragged off and cremated by your dear Aunt Yara. So, tell me, Coleโif I didn't even get a goodbye, when exactly do you think he handed me something?"Cole stroked his chin,
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Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1013
"Got it!" Lena responded cheerfully. She washed her hands before sitting back down, picking up the utensils Aaron had prepared for her, and diving into her dumpling-and-dipping-sauce breakfast combo. "Uncle, why arenโt you eating?" She had already eaten two dumplings before realizing he hadnโt touched any. "Iโm not hungry." Three words. Which meant he hadnโt eaten yet. "Thereโs too much food. I canโt finish it all by myself. Eat some too," Lena said casually as she picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks and held it up to his mouth. She did it so naturallyโuntil she realized what she had just done. Aaron froze for a second, surprised by her gesture. The moment of hesitation made her realize tooโwasnโt this kind of inappropriate? She was just about to pull her hand back whenโ He leaned in and took the dumpling straight into his mouth. Lenaโs face flushed red in an instant. She hurriedly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and focused on eating. Meanwhile, Aar
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1012
She was shocked to see him here so early. Especially todayโa day when everyone was celebrating the new year, spending time with their loved onesโand yet, he was here. With her. Lena wasnโt made of stone. She felt it. A warmth, an unspoken emotion that settled deep in her chest. "Uncle, why are you here so early?" She walked over, hands casually tucked into her coat pockets. "I didnโt want you to go hungry," Aaron replied simply, lifting the bag of food in his hand. He glanced at her break room. "Open the door." She unlocked the door and stepped inside, with him following close behind. Her break room was smallโa single desk and chair, a narrow bed, and a tiny wardrobe. Nothing extra, nothing unnecessary. "Sit down, Uncle," she said naturally, settling onto the bed while motioning for him to take the chair. Aaron placed the food down and asked, "Did you sleep at all?" "I did," Lena replied. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she thought of that dreamโand let o
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1011
"If it werenโt for my goddaughter, I wouldnโt even bother with you," Lena said, gently rocking the baby in her arms. "Right, little Aurora? Your godmother just adores you." "Come on, Aurora, itโs time to eat," Lena said as she carefully placed the baby in Keira's arms. Although it was her first time, Keira wasnโt embarrassed. She followed Lenaโs instructions, trying to breastfeed for the first time. But the process wasโฆ painful. And since her posture was incorrect, neither of them got it rightโKeira ended up covered in sweat from struggling, and her baby still hadnโt eaten properly. Panic set in. Anxiety crept up her spine. "What do I do?" Keira asked, her voice tight with unease. "Itโs okay. This happens at first. Letโs transition with formula for now," Lena reassured Keira before glancing at Hayden, who had been standing there the whole time, watching anxiouslyโand sweating just as much as Keira was. "Go make your daughter a bottle," she told him. Hayden, the man wh
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1010
That conversationโฆ Lena shuddered. Yeah, she had definitely come back too early. It was best to leave now before she ruined the mood for those two inside. Not wanting to hear any more, she quickly turned to leaveโonly to smack her leg against a nearby chair. The pain was real, but worse was the noise it made, drawing attention to her presence. Inside the room, Haydenโalready feeling awkward from Keira's teasingโfroze. The sound from outside made him even more uncomfortable. Keira couldnโt hold back her laughter. The moment Keira burst out laughing, however, pain shot through her lower abdomen. "Ahโow!" Keira gasped. Hayden immediately panicked. "Whatโs wrong? Where does it hurt?" Hearing her cry, Lena rushed in as well. "What happened?" "I laughed too hard and pulled my stitches," Keira explained, gripping Haydenโs hand tightly. Lena glared at Keira. "Youโre a mother now, and yet youโre still acting like a child. Do you have any idea what condition youโre in?"
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1009
"Itโs fine. I can do it," Hayden said naturally as he picked up the basin and went to fetch warm water. The moment he stepped out, Lena turned to scold Keira. "You went through so much pain to give birth to his child. Why would you feel bad about letting him do something for you?" "Itโs not that I feel badโI just feel embarrassed," Keira whispered in defense. Lena rolled her eyes. "So dramatic." Keira shot her a glare in return. "Just wait until itโs your turn. When your husband has to handle your private matters, youโll understand how awkward it is." The moment the words left Keira's mouth, she saw Lenaโs face turn red. Lena quickly hugged the baby and turned away. But Keira caught it. Something was off. "Waitโฆ why are you blushing?" Keira asked suspiciously. "I am not blushing," she denied immediately. What Keira didnโt know was that her words had triggered the memory of Lena's ridiculous dreamโwhere she had been lying on the delivery bed, cursing Aaron while gi
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1008
The moment she finished cursing, Lena jolted awake. She sat there, dazed. What kind of ridiculous dream was that? She had assisted in delivering countless babies before, but this was the first time she had ever dreamed of giving birth herself. And not only thatโshe had dreamed of giving birth to Aaronโs child? That was beyond outrageous. Absolutely absurd! What a way to start the new year. That dream was anything but beautiful. Lena ran a hand down her face, shaking off the lingering unease. She quickly got up, poured herself a glass of water to calm down, and then left the break room. Back in the hospital room, Hayden was feeding Keira. Keira was perfectly capable of eating on her own, but he insisted on feeding her, saying that she was in a special period and should be treated like a queen. That this was the time to learn how to be spoiled properly. Fine. If this was how he wanted to make up for the suffering she endured giving birth to their daughter, sheโd give
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1007
Keira looked at Lena and smiled as she followed up on Haydenโs words. "Youโre family. Itโs different." Lena shot her a subtle glare before stuffing the red envelope into her pocket and saying, "Give me the rest. Iโll hand them out for you later." Hayden passed her the prepared stack of red envelopes, and as she took them, she asked, "What about the other departments?" Hayden and Aaron exchanged a glance and chuckled. "Of course. Every medical staff member in this hospital gets one." "President Hart, youโre too generous," Lena said, giving him a thumbs-up. With that, she took the envelopes and left. Aaron glanced at the time. "If thereโs nothing else, Iโll be heading back now." "Mm. Happy New Year!" Hayden said, offering his holiday wishes. "Happy New Year to your whole family," Aaron replied, adding a few extra words that made both Hayden and me instinctively turn toward the baby in the bassinet. From today onward, we were officially a family of three. Outside the h
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1006
When Keira returned to the hospital room, she was greeted by a sight that made her pause. The room was decorated with fresh flowers and balloons, and beside her bed, there was a small cart filled with various gift boxes. The atmosphere was so festive that if someone walked in, they might have thought it was a birthday party rather than a postpartum recovery room. "Whatโs all this?" Lena asked on Keira's behalf. "A reward for my wife," Hayden answered, his hand still holding Keira's as he gazed at her with deep affection. "She went through so much. This is my way of thanking her." Keira smiled faintly. "I donโt need any of this." "Whether you need it or not is one thing. Giving it to you is my choice," Hayden said, pressing a kiss onto Keira's fingertips. "Even if everything I have already belongs to you, I still want to give you more." "Such a loving husbandโhonestly, what more could a woman ask for?" Lena teased before patting Keira's hospital bed. "But if President Hart r
Love's Redemptionย ย ย Chapter 1005
Elder Mitchell wasnโt buying it. "That just means you guys didnโt really want to give anything. If you truly wanted to, thereโs no such thing as a gift that canโt be delivered." The two old men started bickering again, but Hayden ignored them. Instead, he kept his eyes on the infant bathing room. Before long, the nurse finished bathing the baby and carried her out. Hayden reached out to take her, but the two elders immediately moved to get closer. He blocked them without hesitation. "Donโt you know old peopleโs eyes are toxic? You shouldnโt be staring at her for too long." Elder Hart: "โฆ" Elder Mitchell: "โฆ" With that, Hayden carried the baby and walked away. The two old men trailed after him, hoping to catch another glimpse, but Hayden wasnโt about to give them the chance. "Congratulations," Aaron, who had been standing nearby, offered his well wishes. "Itโs a daughter. Take a look," Hayden said, his pride practically radiating off him. Aaron lowered his gaze to the
