Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)
Redmption 37

Redmption 37

I softly hummed in agreement. “That’s a good suggestion. I’ll think about it.”

“Think about it seriously.”

Lisa paused before adding, “Maddie, the best way to forget someone and move on from arelationship is to start a new one quickly.”

“Got it, Ms. Carline.” I hung up and lay on the bed, staring blankly.

Outside, I heard Brandon’s footsteps. I could tell it was him by the steady, powerful sound.

After a while, the tap turned on and Kelly’s voice sounded. She asked, “Why are you alone?Where’s Maddie?”

didn’t hear Brandon’s response, but I did hear him say, “Don’t put cilantro in the chicken soup.”

Hearing this, I smiled. As I smileg, tears began to fall.

Over the past few years in the Gildon family, I had been eating cilantro. But before that, I never didwhen I was with my parents.

There was a saying that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I lived in the Gildon’s family as Chrisfiancée and Bree treated me as her own daughter. But I always knew that I wasn’t truly one ofthem.

In many small details, I compromised myself to avoid seeming demanding or spoiled. Forcingmyself to eat cilantro was only one of the examples.

When Kelly called me to eat, I had already fallen asleep. Leven had a dream. where I was getting amarriage certificate with Brandon. I was just about to sign when I was woken up.

I

“Didn’t you and Brandon talk things out?” Kelly asked at the dinner table.

Thinking about the interrupted dream, I snorted. “We were about to get the marriage certificate, butthen… you called. So, we didn’t sign.”

“What?” Kelly was confused. “The two of you are getting married just like that? You’re not evengoing to talk for a couple of days?”

I sighed. “No. I meant in my dream.”

“Maddie, you’ve got good taste. If you miss out on Brandon, you’ll regret it. If I were 50 yearsyounger, I’d pursue him myself,” Kelly teased.

I burst into laughter. Kelly was indeed funny.

“Don’t laugh. I’m serious. If you don’t act quickly, that widow will snatch him up, ” she said.

At this point, it was just me and Kelly at the table. I couldn’t help but ask, “Mrs. Rhodes, where’sBrandon?”

“He went out to drink with a friend.”

I ate a spoonful chicken soup, savoring its flavor. “Doesn’t he have to drive? Isn’t it bad to drink?

“He

only helps out occasionally. He doesn’t drive all the time,” Kelly explained. Then, she looked at meand asked, “Are you really going to get married?”

“No, I was just dreaming about it,” I clarified, earning another eye roll from Kelly.

I didn’t see Brandon for the rest of the night. But just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard him comeback.

Kelly’s voice followed as she said, “Make sure to lock the door. We have a young lady in the housenow.”

“It’s all locked. You can sleep now.” Brandon’s voice was low and clear. It was particularly pleasantto hear at night.

I smiled and then heard Kelly add, “Brandon, you need to hurry. Maddie said she dreams ofmarrying you.”

I sat up in bed abruptly. I had never said that!

Kelly was really talkative, spreading rumors just like that.

Now I really wouldn’t be able to face him. As I stewed over this, I heard Brandon’s reply. “Got it. Ihurry.”

I was speechless.