Love's Redemption



Sasha sounded sincere.

I could tell she was lonely-otherwise, why would she be coming at me with all that attitude one minute and trying to be my friend the next?

"I don't have many friends. Thorsten doesn't let me make any." Sasha said, stepping closer. "But I can tell he treats you differently. So, if I become friends with you, he might be okay with it."

I didn't respond to her.

"I really don't have any ulterior motives. I just want to be friends. And Milly really likes you; she talks about you all the time," Sasha added, pulling the "my kid likes you" card.

"I know you probably don't think much of me," she continued, her voice softening. "But can't we at least try? For Milly's sake?"

Gone was the cocky attitude from earlier. Now, she seemed almost... vulnerable, like she was pleading.

I gave her a polite but firm smile. "I'm busy. I don't have time for new friends."

It wasn't that I wanted to be cold, but getting involved with Thorsten's women? That was a mess I didn't need in my life. No good could come from it. More importantly, I had zero interest in getting tangled up in Thorsten's world of drama.

Sasha's hopeful expression dimmed.

She let out a bitter laugh, lowering her head. "I get it. I'm not the kind of person you'd want to be friends with."

Her little pity play was an obvious attempt to make me feel guilty.

But Sasha didn't know me. If anything, trying to manipulate me only made me less inclined to feel sorry

for her.

Without another word, I turned and walked away, feeling her eyes follow me the entire time.

Later that evening, my phone rang. It was Lindey. "Rea, did you know Jace is back?"

I thought about the figure I'd seen in the car last night and replied, "Yeah, I know."

ho come to see!

"Has Lindey asked.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Technically, last night didn't count as him "seeing" me

"No," I said. "Why? Is something wrong?"

Lindey let out an annoyed huff. "I haven't seen him at all. How could something be wrong if I can't even get a glimpse of him?"

I knew exactly why she was calling. She was pissed that Jace was back and hadn't stopped by to see her.

"He's probably handling other things first. I'm sure he'll come by later," I said, slipping into my old habit of making excuses for Jace.

1/2

“Handling what? That widow, obviously," Lindey muttered, her irritation clear.

I stayed quiet.

"He's been completely bewitched by her. He's forgotten all about his parents," Lindey snapped.

Still silent.

*Sometimes I wonder how I ended up with a son like him. If I'd known he'd turn out this way, I should've-" She cut herself off, but her anger was bubbling over.

"Lindey," I said gently, "don't get yourself worked up. It's not good for your health, and Matthew's already not doing well. You need to stay strong for him."

"You're the only one who really cares about me. If only you were my real daughter," Lindey sighed.

"I am your daughter," I replied softly, trying to comfort her.

She let out another sigh. We both knew my words were just that-words. Polite, but not real.

If I were truly their daughter, I'd be at Matthew's side 24/7, instead of navigating my own life.

"Rea, don't bother going after Jace. Don't try to talk sense into him either. Let's see how stubborn he really Is," Lindey said.

"Okay," I agreed.

After one final sigh, Lindey reminded me to visit Matthew when I had time, then hung up.

Later, when I caught up with Lena, I asked, "Has Tanya come by lately?"

“Nope. And even if she does, she's not coming to me," Lena replied, giving me a curious look. "Why? You bored without her drama?"

"You think I have time for that?" I rolled my eyes before filling her in about Jace being back but not visiting Matthew.

"Stay

out of it," Lena said flatly. "You don't need to waste your energy on their family drama."

I knew she was right.

But some people are impossible to avoid. Despite my best efforts, I ran into Jace again the day of Yuna's. transplant.

He stood in the crowd, watching from a distance as Hayden and I held Yuna's hand together. Our eyes met briefly, but it was just a fleeting glance.

As Yuna was wheeled into the operating room, I felt Hayden's hand grow cold in mine.