Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 19

Gordon Yates was Chris' secretary.

I still didn't say a word.

Seeing this, Chris lowered his gaze. "Madeline, what do you want me to do? Just tell me, okay?"

His tone was feeble, helpless, and even a bit resigned. It was a side of him I rarely saw.

"Chris, we've broken up. You don't need to feel so conflicted. You can take care of her however you want." I expressed my thoughts.

He shook his head and approached me, trapping me between the washbasin and his chest. "Don't even think about it. We're getting married tomorrow."

"Chris, do you really want to marry me?" I echoed the conversation I overheard between him and Derick that day. Bluntly, I continued, "We're so familiar with each other that you're not interested in sleeping with me, no?"

"Madeline, I told you that was just a joke. You saw how I reacted to you that night-"

wanting to think about what happened that night." That night was

He looked lost when he finally asked, "What do you want me to do so that you can forgive me and not mention

Not wanting to repeat myself, I pushed him away. "Step aside. I'm

the contact list to block Jewel's number. "Is that better?" Listening to the frustration in his tone, I smiled bitterly. "Chris, are you afraid that you'll get an earful if I tell your parents about the breakup? I can hold off on telling them." Chapter

that's not what I meant. I want to marry you." Chris paused. "Even though we haven't gotten the certificate, haven't had a wedding, and haven't even... been intimate, in my heart, I've long since considered

heart trembled at the word

had never referred to Mom as his wife in public. Dad would only

had said that being someone's wife was the highest and most formal

missus.

wife. He wouldn't say that if he didn't truly

began to crack

and we scolded Chris too. He

the dinner table.

7

to heart," I replied. Despite seeing them as my real parents, I couldn't bring myself to be as spoiled in front of them as

many years. I'm sure they know how