Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Brandon narrowed his eyes, and I instinctively tightened my grip on him. "Is that true?"

"Why would you say that?" he asked, turning the question back on me.

I was about to tell him that Bree had mentioned it when Ellie's voice called out from afar. "Maddie, your phone's been ringing nonstop!"

She was running toward us as she spoke, but with her heart condition, she shouldn't be running at all.

"Okay, I got it," I said as I quickly stood up from Brandon's lap and rushed over to Ellie.

The call was from Bree, and she had called several times. It seemed like there was something urgent.

"Bree," I answered the phone.

"Maddie, why didn't you pick up? I was starting to worry something had happened!" Bree's voice was filled with concern.

"No, I just didn't have my phone with me."

Bree let out a sigh of relief. "You had me imagining all sorts of terrible things."

make sure to keep it with me next time." I promised her, then

absolutely furious," Bree

smiled softly. "Who's upset you this time?

clobber him." Bree's fierce tone came

the Gildon family was still in the picture, which meant Chris' name would

us for that woman, and now he's up and left." Bree's voice trembled with anger. She

Zack wanted to

tried to soothe

it's more than that. He's already made arrangements with Conrad. He's dead set on

words made

he tell Conrad?"

be around to fulfill his duties as a son. He even handed the company over to Conrad and asked him to look after you," Bree spat out, her voice dripping w "Listen to what he's

her. After all, this was a family

"Bree, maybe it's just him talking

probing Bree, but she didn't seem to catch on. Instead, she huffed, "What reasons? He just wants to marry that widow carrying

left me at a loss