Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

I checked my calendar and realized that Zack's birthday was in three days.

It wouldn't be appropriate to bring up this matter on his birthday. I didn't want to dampen his celebration. So, I decided to deliver the gift early to ensure I wouldn't have to go on his actual birthday. However, before I could take action, Conrad came to find me.

I hadn't seen him since we left the amusement park, and I almost didn't recognize him at first glance.

"Have I changed so much that you can't recognize me?" Conrad joked.

Seeing him like this reminded me of Brandon, and I smiled faintly. "If your mom saw you like this, she would definitely be worried."

"No, she said I look more manly now," Conrad said, trying to make me laugh again.

I pressed my lips together. "Indeed, you do look more masculine."

Conrad touched his face. "I think so too."

Despite his efforts to lighten the mood, I still didn't know how to respond after he spoke.

plan to visit Zack, I asked him, "How have Bree and Zack

you a lot." Conrad's words stung my

work, and they saw me daily. But since I moved out,

them today," I said and paused for a moment. "I

me in confusion. I understood what he wanted to know, and I saw no reason to hide it from him. "Chris has been aggressively undermining the company I joined, even to the

surprised. It was clear he already

enough, in the next moment, he said, "I've already told my Dad about this, and he's

here today as a

I couldn't help but smile. "If you fail your mission today, will

family, Zack had assigned Conrad a task, which he didn't complete well. When he

the first time I saw Zack hit someone, and he did it

time. He didn't cry or explain himself. But when he saw me, I noticed the embarrassed flush on his

I realized I should have hidden away to spare him

you making fun of me?" Conrad

I started

"But I'm not here to persuade you today, even if it means getting beaten when I go