Redmption 124


    At this point, Bree couldn’t bring herself to say anything more, even if she harbored other thoughts.


    She nodded. “Maddie, in my heart, you’re as good as my own daughter.”


    But if she truly saw me as her own, she wouldn’t have entertained the idea of me being with


    Conrad. Then again, it could have been Conrad’s suggestion, given how he had alreadyid his


    feelings bare.


    “Sure. Let’s wait until Conrad and Chris are avable, and we’ll have a little ceremony. I’ll formally


    acknowledge you and Zack as my godparents.”


    I noticed a glint in Bree’s eye as I spoke. It was clear she wasn’t entirely willing to ept me as her


    goddaughter, but after ten years of her kindness, I chose not to doubt her intentions.


    “Alright,” Bree reluctantly agreed.


    After seeing her home, I ran into Chris. He wore a baseball cap and jersey instead of his usual CEO


    attire. Seeing him like this stirred memories of the guy I once admired.


    I remembered Chris from high school, who often sneaked off on motorcycles. Back then, he thrilled


    and worried me in equal measure.


    He looked effortlessly cool in his motorcycle gear and helmet, embodying the rebellious spirit I once


    admired.


    I recalled one instance when he took me for a ride. I clung to him in fear, and that was the closest


    we’d ever been. N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    After the ride, he teased me, “How could you cling onto me so tightly? Were you trying to im


    me?”


    didn’t know when he stopped riding motorcycles, but his casual attire gradually shifted to business


    suits, and he morphed into a formidable CEO.


    Now, seeing him revert to his youthful appearance stirred something within me. Yet, despite wearing


    the same outfit, I knew he wasn’t the same old Chris. The baseball cap hid an injury, not a return to


    his former self.


    “What’s this about? Are you back for more today since it wasn’t thrilling enough. yesterday?” Chris


    quipped with his cheeky grin in ce.


    Before I could reply, Bree raised her hand to hit him. “How dare you say that? If Maddie hadn’t held


    back, you’d be beaten to death.”


    “Mrs. Gildon, you shouldn’t be so harsh even if you have two sons. Am I your child, or is she?”


    Despite being a reputable CEO at work, Chris sometimes. acted like a child at home.


    “I’d prefer if Maddie were mine. Who asked you toe out of me?” Bree’s humor shone through.


    “Fine. Let her be your daughter in your next life, and I’ll stay as far as I can.” Chris pulled Bree close


    to avoid another swat.


    Watching their yful banter, I felt a pang of envy. If my parents were still here, I’d still be their


    daughter to joke around yfully.


    But too bad, there were no “ifs” in life.


    Their closeness made it hard to breathe.


    I looked at Bree. “Bree, I should go now.”


    “Wait,” Chris called. “I need to talk to you.”


    “There’s nothing more for us to talk about.” I genuinely didn’t want to argue with him. If provoked,


    might lose control again.


    I realized that once you started hitting someone, it was hard to stop.


    “I do,” Chris insisted.


    Bree pinched him. “Stop being stubborn, or I’ll finish you off.”


    “Mom, don’t worry. Maddie’s my wife. What could go wrong?” Chris grinned. shamelessly.


    Perhaps the two years at thepany had made me forget his yful side behind the CEO


    facade.


    “Go inside. Stop spying on us.” Chris gently pushed Bree away.


    But Bree kept ncing back anxiously as she left.