Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 654

Chapter 654 

“Whose secret?” I asked, keeping my tone casual. 

Demi glanced at me, her lips parting like she wanted to spill, but something held her back. 

Then I remembered what she’d said about it possibly costing her life. Raising a hand, I stopped her. “You don’t have to tell me. I’ll figure it out myself.” 

“Keira, don’t. You don’t need to dig into this, and you definitely don’t need to get involved in my mess anymore,” she said, her voice tinged with guilt. “You’ve already done enough–helping me pay off all that debt. I’m grateful, okay? That’s enough.” 

I studied her, my mind running wild with guesses about the “secret” she was hiding. 

“I’ll pay you back. Bit by bit,” she said quietly, avoiding my gaze. 

We both knew the truth. With the way she was earning now, it would take her a decade–probably longer–to pay back the $500,000 I’d lent her. 

“You don’t have to worry about that,” I said firmly. “All I care about is you being safe and okay.” 

But Demi just shook her head. She was set on repaying me. 

I didn’t argue. Everyone has their principles, and I wasn’t about to trample on hers. 

Since Demi refused to come back with me, I focused on making sure she’d be in a better place. I rented her a small studio apartment, paying the rent three years in advance. 

On top of that, I pulled some strings with Ron and got her a job at a local company. At least this way, she wouldn’t have to grind herself into the ground just to survive. 

Once everything was squared away, I called Lena to set up a meeting with her and Nate.. 

“Sure, I’ll let him know,” Lena said. “Once we lock down a time and place, I’ll send it to you.” 

She said it so casually, like she was inviting me and Nate out instead of the other way around. I didn’t mind, though, and just went along with it. 

But Lena didn’t get back to me for a while. What I didn’t realize was that she had something unexpected going on at her end. 

*** 

Nate’s sudden announcement about visiting Lena’s parents had her totally thrown. 

“You want to meet my parents because of what happened with my uncle yesterday?” she asked, trying to make sense of it. 

“Nope,” Nate said, pulling her closer. “I planned this from the start. We’ve just gone official, sure, but I’ve been in love with you way before that.” 

Lena knew he meant it–she could feel it—but still, this felt way too fast. “Do you even get what meeting my parents means?” 

He laced his fingers with hers and nodded, dead serious. “Of course I do.” 

Her breath caught. “Think about it. When it’s just us, it’s us. But bringing my parents into it? That’s a whole other level.” 

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425 BONUS 

Chapter 654 

Nate spun her to face him, his eyes locked on hers. “Lena, I want to marry you. It’s not just you I need—it’s their blessing too.” 

Her chest tightened, warmth spilling through her. But still she had to ask, “Are you sure I’m the one you want to spend forever with?” 

The question hung there, heavy and surreal, like stepping into a dream you weren’t sure you were ready for. 

“Yes,” he said. “From the first moment I saw you, I knew it was you.” He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers, all soft and sweet.