Lahat ng Kabanata ng Love's Redemption: Kabanata 811 - Kabanata 820

Aaron must've felt her staring because he turned, locking eyes with Lena.She immediately dropped her gaze. "Uncle Aaron.""What are you doing hovering in the doorway?" he asked, and she shuffled inside without protest."Thanks," she mumbled. If he hadn't shown up, who knows how long Wayne would've kept her tied up.This whole mess started with her stalling Wayne, pretending she was helping as a doctor to buy Keira time to save Jace. But Wayne caught on and didn't hesitate to have her restrained."Let me see your hand," Aaron said, holding out his own."I'm fine. No injuries," she insisted. "I'm a doctor, remember?"He wasn't buying it. "If you're fine, then what's the harm in letting me check?"Under his intense stare, Lena caved, holding out her hand.His fingers brushed over her wrist, and he immediately noticed the damage—red marks, swelling, raw scrapes where the ropes had bitten into her skin."This is fine?" he asked, raising an eyebrow."Not like I'll die," she mutte

It had been years since she'd been this close to him—close enough for him to ruffle her hair, like when she was a kid.***Lena and I barely slept that night. The tension was unbearable.We weren't the only ones. Lindey stayed in the mourning hall all night, ignoring Jace's repeated attempts to get her to rest.Wayne? Completely MIA. At one point, Lena even joked he might've bailed for good.But I knew better. Wayne had burned every bridge; running wasn't his style. Another shady move? Totally possible.We needed proof—something solid to bring him down."Rea, you up?" Lindey's voice came from behind my door.I got up to open it. "Yeah?"She smiled faintly. "Come eat. You'll need energy for today."She was wearing an apron. Cooking? Now?Lena raised a brow. "What if she poisoned the pancakes for Wayne's sake?"I smirked. "You're a doctor. You'll survive."Still confused, we went to the table. Wayne's spot was set, like he'd pop in any second."Wait for him?" I asked.Lind

It didn't matter why anymore.Jace said Lindey's death was on him and Wayne, but deep down, I knew I wasn't blameless either.She'd treated me like her own daughter, but I kept my distance, too wrapped up in the pain of losing my parents.Memories of her flashed through my mind—how she'd tried so hard to bring me back, sneaking me mini tarts, even making my favorite pumpkin custard this morning.She'd planned this. I could feel it.It was like someone ripped a hole in my chest, the cold cutting through me like knives.I'd resented her, sure. But I'd never hated her.I wanted to tell her that. But now, I never could. Even if I said it, no one would hear me.Wayne tightened his grip on Jace's collar, like he was about to unload, but then let go.Jace stepped to Lindey's side, kneeling beside her. He smoothed her face, wiping the blood from her lips."Mom, it's okay," he whispered. "Go be with Dad now."The funeral, set for 10:30, was delayed another hour. The Johnston living r

I stared at Hayden, my mind spinning. I'd thought he was Wayne's hostage, but now? He wasn't just an accomplice—he'd turned on Lena.Why not take me instead? Was it because he couldn't bring himself to hurt me? Or was this some twisted plan to use Lena against us?The chaos around us stopped cold. Everyone froze, their eyes locked on Hayden. His icy glare swept the crowd, finally settling on Aaron."Mr. Ace," Hayden said sharply, his voice slicing through the silence. "You know what to do."Aaron was here too, though earlier he'd been attacked, kept from helping Lena. Now he stood frozen, his gaze fixed on her."Let her go," Aaron said. "I'll take her place.""You know what happens to people who waste my time," he said flatly. The warmth I once knew in his voice was gone, replaced by something cold and unrecognizable.I couldn't stay silent any longer. "Hayden, why are you doing this?" I yelled.He glanced at me—just for a second—before turning his attention back to Aaron, his

Wayne actually pinned all the blame on me, like every messed-up thing he was doing now was my fault. Revenge, he called it."If you hate me that much, then take me instead. Torture me. Wouldn't that be easier?" I said, trying to shift his attention from Lena. I couldn't let her suffer because of me."I can't," Wayne replied, his tone chillingly indifferent. "Hurting you? I can't do that. Leaving you to live with your guilt? That's my way of torturing you."The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. Wayne always knew where to strike, and he didn't miss.I forced a cold, sarcastic smile, replaying his accusations in my head. "Well, then you seriously miscalculated. You're right—I don't have a conscience. I'm selfish and cruel, just like you said."I dumped a ten-year relationship without blinking and moved on like it was nothing. Do you really think I'd care about a friend?"Every word tasted bitter, but I made myself sound heartless. If he thought Lena mattered to me, the only w