Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 298

Conrad came in with a bouquet, his face etched with worry. "What happened to you?"

It seemed inappropriate to remain lying in bed, so I grabbed the bedside rail and heaved myself upright. Conrad hurried over to pin me against the pillows. "No, you don't have to get up."

"I'm fine," I insisted as I tried to sit up. I never felt self-conscious while lying down while Brandon was around, which set him apart from the other men in my life.

Conrad stared at me. "So what happened?"

What was I supposed to tell him? That I went into shock after learning the gravity of my parents' accident?

It wasn't that I didn't know how to explain it to him, but that I didn't want to.

I wondered when I had grown tired of explaining and resorted to giving vague, if not untrue, responses. "Low blood sugar, that's all, I lied. When I caught Conrad's skeptical look, I asked before he could press fu He parted his lips and humored me with a white lie in return. "It's not a big deal."

"Conrad," I bit out. "If there's something you need to tell me, go ahead. Beating around the bush only makes me anxious." once you get

talk about it better," he

type. It was probably the reason why I couldn't see him as anything but an older brother. He certainly wouldn't

your mind, and the secrecy is killing

you hear that Chris got

earlier today, he hadn't mentioned it to

argued with her. My dad gave him a beating to straighten him out and told him they would disown him. He even threatened to

the house, but I hadn't heard about the latter half. I had a feeling things would turn out this way when Bree first mentioned she would cast out Jewel, but she refused to take

telling me all this?" I asked. Conrad must

debating whether to

the reason for his hesitation. "You want

I shouldn't drag you into this mess, Maddie, but my parents listen to you. Besides..." Conrad trailed off, but

this all happened because of me, right?" I finished his sentence

meant, Maddie," he began

of the reasons why

him. I told you