All Chapters of No More Regrets BOOK 1 of the Redemption Series: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Isla’s Point of View First Day of Senior Year – Whitney Young Magnet High School The first day of senior year felt like stepping into a chapter I wasn’t sure I was ready to write. The parking lot of Whitney Young Magnet High School was buzzing with students, laughter, and the occasional honk of a car horn. Shane’s car rumbled as he turned into the lot, finding a spot toward the back. “You ready for this?” Shane asked, pulling into the space and shutting off the engine. I glanced at him, my fingers idly twisting the strap of my bag. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He reached over, giving my hand a squeeze. “You’ll be fine. Let’s just survive senior year together.” I chuckled softly. “Deal.” We both got out, the September breeze ruffling my hair as I adjusted my bag on my shoulder. Shane grabbed his backpack, slinging it over one arm as we began walking toward the main entrance. It was the usual first-day chaos—friends reuniting after summer break, loud laughter, and students

Later that night, Sade pulled into her driveway, her headlights briefly illuminating the black Malibu parked on the curb in front of her house. She recognized the car immediately—it was Marco’s grandmother’s. She let out a heavy sigh, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel as she stared at the vehicle.The frustration from earlier that day bubbled up again. Sade had been clear in her message, but clearly, Marco wasn’t ready to let things go. She shut off the engine, grabbed her keys, and sat still for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and slowly exhaled, trying to calm her nerves before facing him.Finally, she stepped out of her car, leaving her bag and purse behind. Normally, she’d go through the back door, but since Marco was parked at the front, she decided to handle this head-on. Her boots crunched against the gravel as she walked up to his car.The moment Marco spotted her, he opened his door, stepped out, and slammed it shut behind h

Isla’s POVI arrived at Sade’s house a little after seven, the familiar brick home glowing warmly in the evening light. Before I could knock, the door swung open, and Melody, Sade’s mom, stood there, her arms already outstretched. She pulled me into a tight hug, holding on longer than usual.“Oh, Isla, I’ve missed you so much,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.I felt my chest tighten. I’d missed them, too. Sade’s house had always been a safe space for me, a second home, and Melody always made me feel welcome. Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her back.“I missed you too, Ms. Melody,” I said, my voice trembling.Melody gently cupped my face and smiled. “You’re always welcome here, sweetheart. Always. You know that, right?”I nodded, my tears slipping free, and she gave me one last squeeze before stepping aside. “Come on in. Make yourself at home, as always.”I walked into the house, the comforting smell of baked goods lingering in the air. Before I could take another step,

Anonymous POV The dance had been a mix of highs and lows, but by the time it ended, everyone agreed on one thing—they were hungry.Shane, Isla’s boyfriend, took on the role of chauffeur for the evening, steering his black SUV through the crowded parking lot as they all piled in.“So, what’s the move?” Shane asked, glancing in the rearview mirror at Sade and Robert.“White Castle,” Isla said immediately. “It’s after midnight, so our options are pretty much that or nothing.”“Sounds good to me,” Sade agreed. “I’ll just need my sliders without onions—I want to make it home without regretting life.”Robert, sitting up front with Shane, chuckled. “Fine by me. I’ll take anything that’s greasy and hot at this point.”The ride to White Castle didn’t take long, and when they arrived, the parking lot was already packed with other students who had the same idea. Inside, the line stretched toward the door, the smell of sizzling burgers and fries wafting through the air.“Everyone’s got the same

Marco’s POVMarco parked his car a block away from Sade’s house, cutting the engine and sitting in silence for a moment. The faint glow of the streetlights illuminated the quiet neighborhood. He took a deep breath and stepped out, making sure to lock the doors before walking down the street.He approached her house cautiously, keeping his footsteps light. He knew better than to pull up directly in front of her house—her parents were strict about that sort of thing. As he made his way along the side of the house and through the gangway, the familiar path to the garage felt both comforting and nerve-wracking.When he reached the garage, Marco crouched by the side door, feeling under the edge of the frame where he knew the spare key was hidden. He grabbed it, unlocked the door, and slipped inside, careful not to make too much noise.The garage was dimly lit by a single streetlight filtering in through the high windows, and he made his way to the couch in the back corner, sitting down in