Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 519

Chapter 519 

+25 BONUS 

“Wait here,” Jace said briskly, getting up. 

Right now, he was acting like he’d do anything I asked, even anticipating what I needed before I said a word. If he’d been like this before, maybe things wouldn’t have ended the way they did. 

But there’s no use wondering about what–ifs. I’d closed that chapter for a reason. 

As I looked away, my gaze happened to fall on his phone. The screen was paused on a video of me from a few years ago. I had no idea what I’d been doing in it or even why it had been recorded. 

For a split second, I felt tempted to pick it up and see, but before I could decide, Jace returned with the 

water. 

He caught me looking at his phone but didn’t seem fazed. Instead, he gave me a casual–smile. “While you were sleeping, I went through some old photos and videos. Turns out you’re even prettier now than you were back then.” 

I took a sip of water, playing along. “Oh, so I wasn’t cute enough before? Guess that explains a lot…” 

“Stop right there,” he cut in, blocking my jab with a smirk. “Let’s not dig that up again.” 

I took a few more sips, feeling my throat start to relax. 

“Are you really done with Tanya?” I asked, popping a bite of salad. The tangy crunch hit just right. 

Jace picked up his phone again, scrolling like he hadn’t heard me. I didn’t push, just kept eating, letting the quiet settle. 

“When I’d nearly finished, he finally spoke. “It’s over. Completely, in every way.” 

Remembering Tanya’s parting words, I doubted things had ended as cleanly as Jace was making it sound. But since he was so insistent, I just murmured, “Oh,” and kept eating. 

“Hold still,” he said, reaching over to wipe the corner of my mouth with his thumb. “Little bit of oil there.” 

I pressed my lips together, feeling awkward. “Next time, just tell me.” 

He hesitated. “Sure. But, you know, some things are just… habit. I only realize it after I’ve already done it.” 

He had a point. After ten years, some habits stuck, like the way he’d checked my forehead earlier–I hadn’t even thought to pull away. 

I kept my head down, trying to focus on my food, but then the woman from the bed across the room came in, talking to her relative. “There was a guy hanging around outside earlier, carrying a food container. Not sure what he was doing.” 

My hand froze mid–bite, and I glanced instinctively at the door, but no one was there. 

The woman continued, “I thought he might be trouble, so I followed him quietly. And you won’t believe this -he just tossed the container straight into the trash.” 

My appetite vanished. “Which trash can did he throw it in?” I asked. 

The woman looked a bit surprised, then offered me an awkward smile and held up a food container. 

1/2 

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