Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 500

Chapter 500 

+25 BONUS 

“It’s raining outside. Can’t you talk here? Lindey muttered, but one look from Matthew shut her up 

“Mom, didn’t you say you were going to make gnocchi? Let me help.” Wayne finally spoke up, breaking the 

tension. 

I didn’t respond, just got up and followed Jace to the door, where he was waiting with an umbrella 

Honestly, if he wanted privacy, there were a dozen rooms in the house. No real reason to head out into a downpour. But clearly, he had his reasons, so I didn’t ask 

“You cold? Need a jacket?” he offered, sounding unexpectedly thoughtful. 

I couldn’t deny that he’d been more considerate since our breakup. But it was too late for that 

“No, I’m good.” I took the umbrella from him and stepped into the rain. 

Jace fell into step beside me, quiet for a beat. “Remember the last time we walked together in the rain like this?” 

Of course I remembered. It was about a year ago, when Seavora had been half–flooded from days of nonstop rain. Some streets were so submerged they were basically lakes, impossible to drive through. 

I’d suggested we walk home. But Jace wanted to call a helicopter. 

I’d told him, “Sure, you could leave in a chopper, but what about everyone else? You’re the CEO–if you fly off while your employees are wading through floodwater, how do you think they’ll feel? 

Reluctantly, he’d listened. Instead of the helicopter, he’d walked with everyone, umbrella in hand, sloshing through the flooded streets. 

At first, we’d tried to stay dry, carefully lifting our pants to dodge the water. But in that kind of rain, dry was never an option. 

Jace had been visibly annoyed that day, but his irritation didn’t make me feel any better. So I’d stomped through a puddle on purpose, splashing him. He’d retaliated immediately, sending a wave of water right back at me. 

We kept going, splashing, laughing, and somehow, all that frustration melted into joy. By the time we got to dry ground, and a car arrived to pick us up, neither of us wanted the fun to end. 

Now, as Jace brought it up, I could see why he wanted to walk in the rain with me again. 

But those memories? They belonged in the past. 

So I shut him down, bluntly. “I forgot.” 

Jace’s smile turned bitter. “You don’t have to be so guarded with me.” 

I ignored him, splashing through another puddle with a small smirk. “Just avoiding any unnecessary mess 

“You’re so… rational now. Feels like a whole different you,” Jace sighed. 

“I’ve always been rational. It’s just about knowing what I want and what I’m willing to let go of,” I said, 

1/2 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 500