Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 34

I didn't expect Kelly to play matchmaker for me. Suddenly, the image of Brandon's cold, emotionless face flashed in my mind.

Thinking about his blunt and indifferent refusal to switch rooms with me, I suddenly felt playful. "Sure. Why not?"

Although I had agreed, it was just a casual response. I hadn't seriously considered it.

After breakfast, I borrowed a bicycle from Kelly's house and spent the day leisurely cycling around the small town.

By the time I returned home, it was already evening. I bought an art board since I loved drawing.

Before my parents had passed away, they had enrolled me in dance, painting, and calligraphy classes. They even had me learn the guitar.

Although all these activities had ceased after they were gone, I continued drawing. It was simple anyway. I only needed a pen and a paper.

Besides sightseeing, I drew a picture of the new Amaty. My parents' greatest wish was to come back and see this place, but they could no longer do so. So, decided to draw the present Amaty for them. "Maddie, why are you back so late?" Kelly came over as soon as she saw me. She winked conspiratorially.

I was puzzled. "Mrs. Rhodes, you..."

"Brandon is back, and I've already talked to him," she said, nodding toward Brandon's room.

I suddenly remembered her matchmaking talk from the morning and burst into laughter. "Mrs. Rhodes, you actually told him? I was just joking."

"You silly girl. How can such matters be joked about? Anyway, I've already told him," she replied earnestly.

"So, what did he say?" I asked casually while parking the bike.

"He said he wants to talk to you personally." Kelly nudged me with a smile full

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of expectations. "It seems like there's hope."

I chuckled. "If it goes well, I'll invite you to our wedding banquet.”

"Alright, it's a deal," she said seriously.

"Now, go freshen up. I'll tell Brandon to get ready too."

"That's fine. It's not like we haven't met before." After all, we'd already seen the most genuine side of each other.

"It's different. This is a formal meeting." She insisted, making me laugh.

I had to admit that being here made me quite happy. Today, I had the freedom to roam and draw as I pleased. I could even speak my mind. This must be what freedom felt like.

Despite Kelly's insistence, I returned to my room. I then lay on bed without freshening up and grabbed my phone. It had been buzzing with Instagram notifications all day. I was curious to see who messaged

me.

It was Kara's avatar. At that moment, a sense of disappointment washed over me. I had secretly hoped for a message from Chris. Not that I expected an apology or reconciliation, but...

I had disappeared without a word, and he didn't even ask about me? It made me feel like a total failure.

Even if he saw me as just family or a colleague with no romantic feelings, he should be concerned enough to ask. Just like Conrad, who called from abroad as soon as he heard the news. But Chris hadn't.

I opened Kara's messages. There were over ten of them.

"Maddie, is it true that you and Mr. Gildon are not marrying each other

anymore? What happened?"

"People at the company are saying that Mr. Gildon has a mistress. Is it the woman he hugged that day?"

"Maddie, where did you go?"

"Did you run away? Don't do anything rash. There are plenty of fish in the sea...

Chapter 34

"Maddie, please reply. I'm really worried about you."

Seeing her string of messages and the last one with a crying emoji, I replied, " I'm fine. Don't overthink or speculate. Focus on work. I'll be back soon."

She replied instantly, "Maddie, what happened between you and Mr. Gildon?"

I responded, "It's nothing."

Her status showed that she was typing.

Just then, Kelly called from outside, "Maddie, are you ready yet?"