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

it better,"

couldn't see him as anything but an older brother. He certainly wouldn't be an ideal

me because I know you've got something on your mind, and the secrecy is killing me. It won't do my recovery any good." Exasperation flickered across his face as he relented. "Fine, I'll tell

a pause before he continued, "Did you hear that Chris

Chris earlier today, he hadn't mentioned it

with her. My dad gave him a beating to straighten him out and told him they would disown him. He even threatened to kick I had heard of Jewel getting kicked

feeling things would turn out this way

asked. Conrad must have a reason for telling me

if debating whether

"You want me to talk

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

of me, right?" I finished his sentence for

I meant, Maddie," he began

me as I said, "Chris move in. It was one of the reasons why he going to give me that

I told you an