Redmption 212


    Ellie was so lonely that I knew she wanted me to stay. However, I only had two days off, so I


    extended my Teave by another two days to keep herpany.


    But then again, all good things muste to an end, and I had to leave eventually.


    Before I left, she made me coffee and packed food that she had cooked with flower petals and She


    made sure she gave me the best of everything she had.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    pollen.


    I knew she was genuinely fond of me, and that affection made me feel a responsibility I couldn’t put


    into words.


    “Maddie, please visit me whenever you can,” Ellie said as her eyes avoided mine.


    I could tell she was holding back her tears and didn’t want me to see it. She was the kind of girl who


    appeared fragile but had a strong spirit.


    I


    “Of course,” I replied while keeping my words brief.


    I felt a lump in my throat. I didn’t dare to say more out of fear that I would start crying before she did.


    Goodbyes were like the softest knife that left the deepest ache.


    “I already asked a friend to help find a doctor for you. Once everything is arranged, Bran and I will


    come get you,” I told her as I hugged her goodbye, offering a new glimmer of hope.


    “Okay, I’ll be waiting, Maddie,” Ellie said. Her words became a driving force for me.


    On the way back, I sent Lisa another message. She told me to go straight to her ce after I


    landed.


    I had taken the train on the way here and now I was taking a ne back. I spent the entire flight


    sleeping and dreaming about the moments I had spent with Ellie the past few days.


    From tending to the nts, washing clothes in the river, and talkingte into the night as wey


    side.


    y side by


    It was already evening when a flight attendant woke me up after the nended. I took a cab but


    headed straight to the repair shop to pick up my car instead of going home.


    Before I even got there, my phone rang. It was a call from Chris. Ever since he and Jewel’s


    rtionship had gone public, he hadn’t bothered me. So, I figured something must be up for him to


    call now.


    I answered. Before I could say anything, Chris asked, “Is it true that my dad’s hair turned white


    overnight?”


    His question made my heart tighten. How could he just find this out now? The incident had


    happened days ago. The fact that he was asking me meant he hadn’t even seen Zack. Ldidn’t know


    what to say to him that would convey the anger I felt.


    “Maddie, say something,” Chris urged while sounding desperate.


    I


    “What do you want me to say? Can’t you just go see for yourself?” I snapped.


    My temper which had softened by my time spent with Ellie had red up again thanks to Chris.


    Chris went silent. Just as I was about to hang up, he said, “They won’t let me in the house


    anymore.”


    Served you right! The words shed through my mind.


    “Maddie, I’mpletely alone now.” Chris‘ voice was filled with destion.


    However, I didn’t feel any sympathy toward him. Instead, I mocked him, “You brought this on


    yourself.”


    Chrisughed bitterly: “Yeah, I deserved this.”


    At least he knew that much.


    “Maddie, do you think my dad ispletely disappointed in me?”


    He asked an incredibly foolish question.


    Zack’s hair had turned white because of him. It was more than just disappointment. It was


    heartache, helplessness, and anger only he could truly understand,


    Even though Zack used to say his parents treated him and Conrad equally, as an outsider, I could


    see clearly that they had always favored Zack a bit more. However, he had let them down


    completely. “Maddie, can I ask you for a favor?” Zack begged humbly, which was rare of him.