Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 812

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Chapter 812 

Chapter 812 

Aaron and Hayden working together? Lena couldn’t wrap her head around it. 

She tried to figure out how it happened, but no matter how she turned it, the puzzle pieces didn’t fit. 

“I met Hayden four years ago,” Aaron said, almost like he could read her mind. 

His voice was deeper now, smoother, like it had aged with him. Back then, it had been rough around the edges, just like him. 

They say wine gets better with age. Guess men do, too. 

“Back then, I was being blackmailed by some foreigners,” Aaron started. “When I refused to pay, they came after me. Things got ugly, and they nearly killed me. Hayden’s the one who saved my life.” 

Lena froze. He’d never mentioned this–not to her, not to her mom, not even to their grandparents. All she’d ever heard about his time abroad were the headlines: success stories, promotions, starting his own company. Nothing about struggles, let alone life- threatening ones. 

He’d hidden the bad and only shared the good. 

“Hayden took me to the hospital,” Aaron continued, “and stayed until I was discharged. That’s how we became friends. I also learned a bit about what he was involved in. Surviving abroad isn’t easy. If you want to succeed, you need power and influence. Everything you see here,” he gestured lightly, “is the result of years of building that.” 

It clicked for Lena. He hadn’t built his empire by choice–it was survival. 

“When Keira ran into trouble in Houston, Hayden came to me immediately,” Aaron explained, his tone steady. “I stayed under the radar to avoid drawing suspicion.” 

Lena frowned. “If Wayne’s got something big planned tomorrow, then shouldn’t you have stayed hidden? Showing up today feels like tipping him off.” 

Aaron didn’t reply, but the look he gave her said it all. 

It hit her–she’d called him. Her panic had blown their cover. Now, Wayne would have to regroup and come back even harder. 

A wave of guilt crashed over Lena, and she lowered her head. “I’m sorry. It’s my-” 

“Even if you hadn’t called, I still would’ve come” Aaron cut her off. 

He’d known the situation all along. There was no way he’d let her stay in danger. 

Lena blinked, trying to process his words, but he didn’t explain further. Instead, he 

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Chapter 812 

reached out and gently patted her head. “Go be with Keira. Don’t worry about anything else. After tomorrow, everything will settle down.” 

His voice was calm, steady–the kind of confidence that made her believe him, like she always had. 

When Aaron said everything would be okay, it always was. 

“Uncle Aaron,” Lena said softly as she turned to leave. Thinking about tomorrow, she hesitated, then added, “Be careful. Take care of yourself.”