Redmption 347


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    Thinking that my parents'' car ident had happened over a decade ago, I let out a mockingugh. "Is this necessary?"


    "In case anythinges up, it''ll be easier to contact you," he replied. His response was unexpected.


    What could possiblye up after all this time? Still, I left my phone number as he had requested and then left.


    With the death confirmation certificate in hand, I still needed the cremation certificate. I could only turn to Zack, but he was still ill, so I had to go to Bree instead.


    "Maddie, what brings you here?" Bree was more surprised than pleased to see me.


    "Bree, I have something to discuss. Let''s talk inside," I said. I didn''t know if it was from running around so muchtely because of Ellie or my period, but I felt weak and a bit dizzy today. "Oh, sure. Let''s sit over in the gazebo; it''s stuffy inside," Bree said while linking her arm with mine.


    I went along without thinking much of it. She had already called the housekeeper. "Xena, bring some fruit and the oatmeal I just made over to the gazebo."


    Xena acknowledged, and Bree turned to me. "Maddie, you don''t look well. Are you sick?"


    "It''s my period." I used that as an excuse.


    "Do you have stomach cramps? The oatmeal will warm you up nicely. I''ll ask Xena to add some sugar to it,


    Bree said as she stood up. "Maddie, sit here for a bit."


    I didn''te here today for a casual chat, so I stood up as well. "Bree, I have something to take care of today."


    Bree paused. I took the death certificate out of my bag. "Bree, I need to close my parents'' records, but I still need the cremation certificate."


    "Close their records?" A sh of shock crossed Bree''s eyes, followed by a look of sympathy. "Why do you need to close it?"


    I lowered my gaze, eyes fixed on the death certificate. "My parents'' house is going to be demolished. I can only sign off on it once I''vepleted all these procedures."


    Bree didn''t say anything. After a moment, she hugged me and said, "Maybe it''s for the best."


    Sheforted me for a while before letting go. "The document is in


    Zack''s drawer. I''ll go get it for you


    Wait here for me." Bree patted my


    head and made me sit down.


    I wanted to go inside with her and grab the document before leaving immediately. But now, it felt awkward to insist on following her.


    Just then, the housekeeper came in


    with some fruit and oatmeal. Bree


    instructed her, "Add a few more spoonfuls of brown sugar to the porridge. It will make it taste better. Maddie''s not feeling well because of her period."


    The housekeeper nodded and brought over the oatmeal first. She told me to wait a moment while she went to get the brown sugar, but I stopped her and said, "No need, Xena."


    "You need it! Otherwise, Mrs. Gildon will be upset. She treats you like her own daughter."


    I understood that the housekeeper was afraid of being scolded by Bree, so I didn''t stop her again. Chapter 347


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    As I waited, Xena returned with the brown sugar, added it to the oatmeal, stirred it, and then left.


    The oatmeal with brown sugar tasted great. I had plenty of it over the years.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    But since leaving the Gildon family, I haven''t had it once. Not because I couldn''t afford it, but because I haven''t had the time.


    I finished the bowl of oatmeal, but Bree still hadn''t returned. Could she not find it?


    I was running out of time before office hours ended, and I still had the record closure to deal with.


    I didn''t want to wait any longer, so I got up and walked toward the house. But just as I reached the door, I heard Bree''s voice.


    "You do as I say and stay here. If you dare to stir up any trouble, don''t say I didn''t warn you."


    Bree''s voice was very harsh. This was rare.


    But who was Bree threatening?