Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

My body tensed. I instinctively wanted to avoid his touch, but Conrad held on tightly and gave me no chance to escape.

This feeling of being controlled by someone else was unpleasant, and I didn't like it. I frowned, "Conrad..."

Before I could finish, Conrad interrupted me. "Maddie, Chris is my brother, so I can't speak ill of him, but he's an exception. You can't give up your principles because of him."

His grip was tight. I could feel his tension. He was trembling. His gaze was intense, and his tone was heavy. There was even a pleading edge to it. "Maddie, finding a boyfriend is not a game. You have to be careful. One wrong move can ruin your life."

Seeing his earnestness, I felt a bit guilty. I almost wanted to tell him that Brandon was just a temporary boyfriend.

But that thought quickly vanished. Bringing Brandon was meant to end any lingering hopes the Gildon family might have. If I told him the truth, what was the point of this charade?

"Conrad, I'm not a child. I know what I'm doing," I retorted.

"But you've only known Brandon for a few days!" Conrad's voice grew louder. He was clearly upset.

decided to drop a bombshell. "I've only known him for a few days, but our relationship was established when I

it subtly, considering I regarded Conrad as an older brother and didn't want

understood instantly. He looked at me with shock. His grip on my shoulder

anything; he just stared at me with a mixture of disbelief, disappointment, and

his gaze, then moved slightly. "Conrad, some connections are meant to

spoke, I felt Conrad's

didn't loosen completely, I could tell it wasn't as

and smiled brightly. "Ms. Crown, you have a guest. Why not go to

Conrad. "Come to the office. I'll have someone make a

released me as he politely declined, "No need, thank you." Conrad left without looking back at me, and the

to ask Xander for some time off to prepare the

about to knock on Xander's office door, I heard his voice. "It's done... Yeah, he's

and as he stepped out, he saw me standing at the door. He seemed startled and nearly