Redmption 158


    I didn’t say anything and just listened. I didn’t want to upset Brandon by saying something wrong. I


    was also thinking about my own parents‘ car ident. Was it truly an ident, or something more


    sinister? I was really young when their ident happened and didn’t know the details. Zack had


    dealt with everything. Perhaps he was the only one who knew what really happened. I would ask


    him when I saw him


    Seeing that I wasn’t speaking, Brandon remained quiet as well, and we continued in silence.


    The Gildons had inputted my car details in the automatic gate recognition system, so I was able to


    drive straight into their yard.


    The housekeeper was in the yard. When she saw us, she greeted me warmly. “Maddie, you’re


    back! I’ll go inform Mr. and Mrs. Gildon right away.”


    “There’s no need, Xena. I’ll head inside myself,” I said with a smile.


    Her gaze flickered to Brandon, who had gotten out of the car and walked to my side. I knew she


    was curious about his identity, so I held his arm and said, “Xena, this is my boyfriend, Brandon.”


    While Xena was a housekeeper, she had spent a longer time with the Gildons than I had. She also


    had a close rtionship with Bree. So, it was also necessary to put on a show for her.


    Brandon nodded at Zena politely. “Hello, Xena.”


    “Hello,” Xena said while looking at me. Her disapproval was evident.


    In everyone’s eyes, I was Chris‘ wife, so it was only normal that they felt uneasy seeing me with


    another


    man,


    Xena’s reaction was just the beginning. I had to deal with Zack and Bree’s reactionster.


    I walked past Xena and headed toward the main hall while holding Brandon’s arm. Even before


    entering. could hear Bree criticizing Zack “You’re great at being a chairman and managing


    thousands of employees, yet you can’t even manage your own sons! Both of them are nothing but


    troublemakers!”


    Zack remained silent. I knew he must be pretending to be deaf again and burying himself in his


    phone or a


    magazine.


    “Zack, are you pretending to be deaf again?” Bree roared in anger.


    Even though they loved each other, it didn’t mean that they didn’t argue. Bree must be particrly


    upset today. What could have made her so angry?


    “I’m not pretending. If I respond, you’ll just nag even more, Zack finally said,


    “So now you find my nagging unbearable? How typical! You men are ungrateful creatures!


    “I gave birth to your children and took care of them, and now I’m a nuisance? Zack, you’re a


    scoundrel! Don’t you dare touch me! Get away!”


    When Brandon and I entered the main hall, we saw Bree sitting on Zack’sp. Zack was holding her


    firmly while she protested.


    It was a rare disy of affection for a couple of their age. Many middle–aged couples fell into a


    routine and lived without such intimacy anymore. Even if there was any intimacy, it was likely that


    they were just satisfying each other’s sexual needs.


    We froze in the doorway and were unsure whether to enter or retreat. Embarrassment washed over


    me.


    We were pretending to be in a rtionship, yet we ran into a scene of genuine affection between a


    married couple.


    Forget it. It was best to avoid them for now.


    Just then, Bree’s dog barked joyously at me to wee me. I had spent a lot of time with it when I


    lived with the Gildons, and it seemed like it hadn’t forgotten me.


    The barking drew Zack’s attention, and he looked up. When he saw Brandon and me standing at


    the door, his face flushed with embarrassment for a second, and he released Bree.


    “You old rascal.” Bree yfully pinched his ear.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Zack took her hand and muttered, “Maddie’s here.”