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."

it with me next time." I promised her, then asked, "Bree, is

absolutely furious,"

"Who's upset you this time?

Bree's fierce tone came through

was right. Even though Chris and I were no longer involved, the Gildon family was still in the picture, which meant Chris' name would inevitably come up in my life. "What did he do this

cut ties with us for that woman, and now he's up and left." Bree's

wanted to sever

had caused this rift, so I didn't press for details. Instead, I tried to soothe her. "Bree, he's probably

it's more than that. He's already made arrangements with Conrad. He's dead set on never coming back and cutting all ties

words made me frown

did he tell Conrad?"

to take care of us and said he wouldn't 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

to console her. After all, this was a

the plane, I ventured, "Bree, maybe it's just him talking out of anger, or perhaps he... has

catch on. Instead, she huffed, "What reasons? He just wants

left me at a loss