Lahat ng Kabanata ng Love's Redemption: Kabanata 551 - Kabanata 560

"Miss, could you help me?"A slightly frail, middle-aged voice startled me, and I looked up to see an elderly woman with graying hair and pleading eyes."How can I help you?" I asked politely.."Oh, I was hoping you could buy me a cup of coffee," she said, catching me off guard and stirring a bit of pity in me. "I haven't had one in so long because I don't have any money."Without thinking, I nodded. "Of course.""Thank you," she replied, gesturing to the chair across from me. "Could I sit here to drink it?"Since I was already getting her the coffee, letting her sit didn't seem like a big deal. But just as I was about to agree, Jace's voice cut in."Excuse me, ma'am, would you mind taking a seat elsewhere?"I looked up, startled to see him still there. I thought he'd left.Before I could fully process it, Jace had guided the woman to another table, slipped some cash into her hand, and sent her on her way.I watched, puzzled, as she walked off without even looking at the coff

It was clear Jace had a reason for telling me all this.His gaze darkened. "Hayden shouldn't have rushed things with Bruno. He should've checked out who he was dealing with first."I got what he meant, but I couldn't help the mocking smile that crept onto my face. "So, what are you saying? That because Bruno's got connections, I should've just tolerated his harassment? Let him walk all over me?"Jace paused, looking a little thrown by the accusation. "That's not what I meant.""I don't think Hayden did anything wrong," I shot back. "Bruno got exactly what he deserved."For a second, Jace looked... almost helpless. "I'm just saying there were other ways to handle it—ways that wouldn't have put you in a vulnerable position. It's not a criticism of Hayden, just the facts."I took a breath, trying not to assume the worst about his intentions. "What's done is done. Talking about it now won't change anything. Bruno's target is me, and if Hayden hadn't stepped in, Bruno would've only go

Should I?Even after everything Jace had said, I wasn't sure.He was watching me, waiting for an answer, eyes steady and patient. Finally, I said, "Let me check with Hayden."His expression shifted, a flicker of something unspoken in his eyes, but he nodded and stepped back, giving me space.It wasn't that I didn't trust Jace. I did. But I trusted Hayden completely. I just needed to hear it from him.When he picked up, Hayden's voice was low, calm—the kind that could make my heart skip a beat without trying. "Something wrong?" he asked, like he already sensed it.I swallowed, forcing myself to sound steady. "Hayden, there are two people watching me from my hotel café. Are they with you?""Table 3A?" he asked, not missing a beat. I glanced over; that was exactly where they were sitting.Even from a distance, he knew everything going on around me, down to the tiniest detail.There was no need to explain that Jace was here. Clearly, Hayden already knew, which saved me from spelli

Sometimes people just... zone out. And right now, that was me.Normally, I'd be halfway to the door by now, maybe screaming a little. But instead, I just sat there, curled up on the floor, blinking up at him and asking who he was."Feeling heartbroken, are we?" he asked. His face was intense—chiseled jaw, deep-set eyes, high cheekbones. He looked like someone straight out of a movie, and apparently, he could see right through me."Who are you?" I asked again, still dazed.Then, like a lightbulb flicking on, I remembered what Jace had told me about the leader of Quartz Cue.Only, I'd imagined someone totally different—rough, kinda brutal-looking, like Thorsten. But this guy? He was almost elegant, in that rugged, model-like way.If I'd seen him on the street, I'd probably think he was a Calvin Klein ad or something.And then I remembered Jace had said something about the leader of Quartz Cue being injured, so I squinted, looking him over. But I didn't see any scars or bandages. J

"Hernan!" Hayden's voice came through, cold and menacing.Weirdly enough, hearing him made me feel... safe? I wanted to yell, 'Get me out of here!' but I forced myself to stay calm. The more freaked out I looked, the more power Hernan would have.Hernan just laughed, setting the phone up on a stand before grabbing his wine like this was some kind of twisted FaceTime hangout. "Your girl's quite the catch—so beautiful, so charming. Real nice.""She's not my girl anymore," Hayden shot back.Ouch. I knew it was true, but hearing him say it like that still hurt."Oh, not anymore?" Hernan clicked his tongue, fake disappointment all over his face. "Looks like I need to update my sources.""If you're done, I'm hanging up," Hayden replied, and his indifference was like a punch to the gut.It's not like I expected him to come to my rescue, but... he didn't even sound worried. Here I was, thinking I was some kind of pawn in this twisted game, but apparently, that was just me holding onto s