Redmption 161


    Ever since I wasn’t obligated to practice calligraphy with Zack, I hadn’t picked up a brush on my


    own in years. Despite being older now, I avoided doing work if could, just like when I was younger.


    “Don’t worry, just write freely. Express yourself however ites,” Zack encouraged while handing


    the brush to me once more. How could I refuse now?


    The brush felt considerably heavier in my hand nowpared to when I had held it in the store.


    Perhaps it was the ink weighing it down, or maybe it was the weight of Zack’s expectations.


    He hoped that I was still able to write skilfully and that I still loved Chris as before. That way, I would


    still be closely rted to them.


    I started writing. My hand trembled, so the strokes were uneven despite my best efforts. I knew


    Zack wasn’t really interested in the technical aspects of my calligraphy, he just wanted to glean


    what I was feeling.


    “Live in the moment,” Zack read what I wrote out loud. Just like him, I also used my words to


    express my emotions.


    He didn’t say anything else and just nodded. Then, he looked at me solemnly and said, “Maddie, I


    wish you nothing but happiness.”


    He reached out his hand to shake mine, but I surprised him by pulling him into a gentle embrace.


    “Thank you, Zack,” I murmured.


    Zack patted my back softly. “I’m sorry. You’ve been mistreated. It’s my fault for not keeping a closer


    eye on my son.”


    Earlier, Zack hadn’t apologized when Breeined. Yet here he was, apologizing to me. Tears


    welled up in my eyes all of a sudden.


    Sensing my shift in mood, he patted my head before gently pulling away.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    He looked at my reddened eyes and said, “I’m aware of Chris‘ foolish actions, and I’ve already dealt


    with it. If he mistreats you again, I’lchase him out of the house. He should know better.”


    Initially, I was here toin about Chris and to ask Zack to take care of things, but Zack had


    addressed it before I could bring it up.


    He knew me well. The ten years we had spent together, even though we were not biologically


    rted, had forged a bond as strong as any blood rtion.


    “Thank you, Zack.” I bowed.


    I wasn’t only thankful for his siding with me and protecting me, but also for the love and care he had


    given me over the past decade.


    Zack reached for my hand. “Don’t do that. It makes me feel like… you’re nning to sever ties with


    us.”


    I shook my head. “You and Bree will always be family.”


    Zack smiled. “Yes. When I go downstairs, I’ll tell that Brandon to treat you well. If he doesn’t, I’ll


    make his life a living hell.”


    This was the first time the gentle and elegant Zack threatened someone. I smiled as well. “I’ll


    definitely remind him.”


    Zack patted my head again. “Maddie, no matter your decision, I only have one wish, and that’s for


    you to


    be happy.”


    He was every bit the father figure I had never had. Tears welled up in my eyes once more, and I


    nodded.


    solemnly.


    “Alright, let’s get downstairs. Bree is probably giving Brandon a hard time. She only sees you as her


    daughter–inw and won’t ept anyone else.”


    His words perfectly illustrated the saying, “A husband knows his wife best.”


    I linked my arm through his. “It’s okay. Let her test him. If he can’t handle it, then he’s not the one


    for me.”


    Zack chuckled and smiled at me dotingly. Just as he was about to lead me downstairs, I tugged at


    his arm to stop him. “Zack, there’s something I want to ask you.”


    “Of course,” he said.


    I pursed my lips. My heart raced as I said, “Was the car ident my parents were in really an


    ident?”