Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

"Really? But who could it be? Your parents have been gone for years, and their old friends have moved on completely.

"They've never even mentioned their names. Why would anyone go and pay respects?" Bree asked.

Bree's words struck a nerve.

The notion that 'people move on' hit hard. I hadn't noticed their absence in conversation before, but Bree's blunt reminder left me unsettled.

"Maybe someone made a mistake, Maddie?" Bree suggested again, surprisingly.

I glanced at the tombstone with its photo and name. How could anyone make such a mistake? Her words sounded like something you'd say to a child. "Maybe," I agreed with Bree to stop her from pressing on.

I was certain it wasn't from the Gildon family, nor could it be Mom and Dad's old friends.

There was something suspicious about this bouquet, and I needed to investigate.

"Maddie, don't overthink it. I'll ask Zack later if any of his old friends might have done this," Bree reassured me.

"Okay."

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of the flowers in my hand and posted it on Instagram with the caption: "Whose remembrance could it

my post. I was surprised she had time to

going on?" Lisa

murmured, "I'm

really going to Gildon estate? Isn't that like throwing yourself to the

going isn't really an option, but going worries me

wrong, at least you'll have someone to protect you, and it might help Chris and the entire Gildon family to move on," Lisa suggested.

"He turned me down."

told Lisa what Brandon had

chuckled. "He's got personality. Why not give it a shot with him for real? Maybe you'll develop feelings for him, and it could

out the window. "I'm just not

If he wanted a relationship with me, he'd have to be

was the impression I'd gotten from the moment I

understood me well enough not to push it further. She

with you? Even if it doesn't change Chris and the Gildons' minds, at least it'll prevent Chris from

say yes to Brandon.