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-"

think about what happened that night." That night was a nightmare I can never erase from my life.

want me to do

kept asking. Not wanting to repeat myself,

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

I want to marry you." Chris paused. "Even though we haven't gotten the certificate, haven't had a wedding, and haven't even...

trembled at the word

to Mom as his wife in public. Dad would only introduce my

had said that being someone's wife was the highest and most formal recognition, and it was different from

missus.

he had long considered me his wife. He wouldn't say

hardened heart began to crack

and we scolded Chris too. He knows that he was wrong." Bree brought up

the dinner table.

7

seeing them as my real parents, I couldn't bring myself to be as spoiled in front of them as a

Chris for so many years. I'm sure they