Love's Redemption

Redmption 19

Gordon Yates was Chris‘ secretary.

I still didn’t say a word.

Seeing this, Chris lowered his gaze. “Madeline, what do you want me to do? Just tell me, okay?”

His tone was feeble, helpless, and even a bit resigned. It was a side of him I rarely saw.

“Chris, we’ve broken up. You don’t need to feel so conflicted. You can take care of her however you want.” I expressed my thoughts.

He shook his head and approached me, trapping me between the washbasin and his chest. “Don’t even think about it. We’re getting married tomorrow.”

“Chris, do you really want to marry me?” I echoed the conversation I overheard between him and Derick that day. Bluntly, I continued, “We’re so familiar with each other that you’re not interested in sleeping with me, no?”

“Madeline, I told you that was just a joke. You saw how I reacted to you that night-”

“Chris.” I cut him off, not wanting to think about what happened that night.” That night was a nightmare I can never erase from my life. Do you understand me?”

His pupils contracted. He looked lost when he finally asked, “What do you want me to do so that you can forgive me and not mention breaking up again?”

I had already said it, but he kept asking. Not wanting to repeat myself, I pushed him away. “Step aside. I’m hungry. I want to eat something.”

“Fine, I won’t contact Jewel anymore,” he announced. Taking out his phone, he clicked on his WhatsApp and the contact list to block Jewel’s number. “Is that better?”

Listening to the frustration in his tone, I smiled bitterly. “Chris, are you afraid that you’ll get an earful if I tell your parents about the breakup? I can hold off on telling them.”

“Madeline, that’s not what I meant. I want to marry you.” Chris paused. “Even though we haven’t gotten the certificate, haven’t had a wedding, and haven’t even… been intimate, in my heart, I’ve long since considered you my… wife.”

My heart trembled at the word “wife“.

Before my parents passed away, Dad had never referred to Mom as his wife in public. Dad would only introduce my mom as his spouse.

Dad had said that being someone’s wife was the highest and most formal recognition, and it was different from being someone’s girlfriend, spouse, or

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Chris just said that he had long considered me his wife. He wouldn’t say that if he didn’t truly mean it.

My hardened heart began to crack slightly.

“Maddie, we’ve heard about what happened at the company yesterday, and we scolded Chris too. He knows that he was wrong.” Bree brought up the issue at

the dinner table.

7

“It’s okay, Bree. I didn’t take it to heart,” I replied. Despite seeing them as my real parents, I couldn’t bring myself to be as spoiled in front of them as a biological daughter might be. However, discontent was still discontent.

“Maddie is a sensible girl. She has been with Chris for so many years. I’m sure they know how each other feels,” Zack added in reassurance.

“That’s why I’m worried someone else will sweep her off her feet! She’s an amazing person. Chris needs to hurry up and marry her.” Bree skillfully redirected the conversation to tomorrow’s wedding registration.

Chris looked at me then, his gaze tinted with a hint of panic.

I looked back at him. “Chris, in front of Zack and Bree, please confirm your true feelings. Do you really want to marry me?”

“What are you saying, Maddie? Chris, say something quickly,” Bree interjected.

Chris kept his gaze on me, his eyes deep with emotions I couldn’t quite decipher.

“Madeline, I want you to be my wife. Please don’t refuse.”

Chap

213

As he spoke, everyone at the table turned to look at me, awaiting my response.