Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 288

I had expected Arthur to turn me away and slam the door in my face, but it seemed name-dropping Zack had been a good idea. His charms must have worked on Arthur.

I took a deep breath and entered the room, only to see an elderly gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair doing what appeared to be a series of stretches in the living room. Was he Arthur?

i questioned silently in disbelief.

I had looked into him before coming here. Arthur was below 60 years old, probably around Zack's age. He looked young in pictures, but now that I had a closer look, he seemed much older than Zack.

Even if I had looked into him, I still couldn't picture Arthur as the stretching-and-light-exercises type. I couldn't help feeling like I had come to the wrong room and sought out the wrong person.

"What is it, missy?" Arthur asked, breaking the silence even as he continued his stretching. He had as good as confirmed his identity.

As for how he had ended up looking like this, I dared not make conjectures. Drawing a deep breath, I greeted, "Hello, Mr. Griffins. I'm Madeline Crown."

you are," Arthur

heart leaped to my

was, did he also know why I had sought him out? Had Eden

lot like he would a daughter.

but I was suddenly at a loss for

me again, "Go on, missy. Tell me why

hardly out of breath, and his voice was

his side profile. I willed my breathing to slow before saying. "Mr. Griffins, I was wondering if you remember someone named

watched him go through another series of exercises, his movements fluid and seamless. He repeated the movements before slowing down and finally turning to face me. He stood

that much different from the pictures I had gathered during my investigation. However, I couldn't help realizing

his face was any indication. Perhaps these years of rest had

after the exercise. While anxious to hear his answer, I knew

chill running down my spine, and my throat felt dry. Whatever words I had wante

was he asking me about my age instead of