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"It's nothing!" Lena said, shoving her phone away.
Which, of course, meant it was definitely something. But if she wasn't ready to talk, | wasn't going to push.
Probably something to do with Nate.
That lingering connection-the one where things are over but not really over-was something | understood too well.
Likeand Jace. Even after all this tand starting over, there were still threads that tied us together. It
wasn't love anymore, but the history, the complications... those don't just disappear.
ork
When Lindey found out | was pregnant, she showed up with a basket of supplements.
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"This is wonderful! You're going to be a mom!" she gushed, her joy practically lighting up
the room.
"Rea, the hospital's no place to stay. You're not eating right here. Chand lettake care of you," she
added.
Her excitement wasn't aboutbeing the daughter-in-law she'd once wanted. It was because she still saw me
as the daughter she'd raised, even though this child had nothing to do with the Johnston family. Yes, they were
involved in my parents' deaths-I'll never forget that. But | also can't deny the care they gaveduring the ten
years | lived with them. Guilt-driven or not, it was real, and | benefited from it. "Lindey, you already have your
hands full taking care of Matthew. Addingto the mix would be too much," | said gently. "And honestly, being
at the hospital is better-if anything happens, the doctors are right here."
This wasn't about my anger over the past. It was about Jace and Wayne. Jace's feelings forstill lingered, and
Wayne's... well, they were way too intense. Moving back into their hwould've been a disaster waiting to
happen. But honestly, the past had left scars | couldn't ignore. There was a wall betweenand the way things
used to be-a line | couldn't cross, no matter how much Lindey cared.
Her face fell, disappointment dimming her expression. The gray at her temples seemed starker under the harsh
hospital lighting.
She let out a soft sigh but managed to pull together a smile. "You're right. Okay, then I'll bring you food every
day."
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| started to protest, but the look in her eyes stopped me. She didn't say it, but her gaze beggednot to push
her away completely. Lindey, that's very kind of you. Thank you," | said instead.
Her face lit up instantly, her smile so wide it deepened the wrinkles around her eyes. | stared for a moment,
caught off guard. | didn't remember her having those wrinkles before.
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"Matthew was so happy when he heard you're having a baby," she said, her tone brimming with excitement. "His
spirits lifted so much, he even ate a few extra spoonfuls of cream soup."
Her words hitlike a weight. Spoonfuls of soup? Was his condition really that bad now? | wanted to ask, but
the memory of what he did to my parents stoppedcold. The words caught in my throat, and | stayed silent,
my gaze dropping to the floor. Sensing the shift in my mood, Lindey quickly moved on. "Anyway, I'll take care of
everything for the baby. You don't have to worry about a thing, Rea. I'll find the best caregiver, the best..."
She kept going, her voice brimming with warmth and determination, like she'd move mountains just to make
things perfect for me.
"Lindey," | said softly, cutting her off.
She stopped mid-sentence, looking at me.
"In our next lives," | said, my voice calm but sincere, "if we meet again, I'll be your daughter."
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