Love's Redemption

Redmption 21

Looking at myself in the mirror, I tried to force myself to smile. I told myself to smile today and to be happy every day from now on.

When I went downstairs, Zack and Bree had already prepared breakfast, and the house was decorated with new couches and tableware usually reserved for special occasions.

“Maddie, after you get your marriage certificate, come back so we can

celebrate and discuss the wedding details,” Bree exclaimed. She seemed more

excited than I was.

“Sure,” 1 agreed.

Bree looked at me. “You look great today. It would be even better if you wore white.”

“It’s a little too eye–catching to be dressed fully in white,” I explained.

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. Nowadays, people don’t wear white like they did back in our time. Maddie, wear whatever you like. Don’t mind what she says,”

Zack corrected her.

I smiled as a warm sensation washed over me.

Bree pulled me to the dining table.

Besides the usual lavish breakfast, there were also two eggs and a sausage arranged in a way that made me blush.

Before I could ask, Bree whispered in my ear, “This is a secret ritual passed down from your grandmother. It symbolizes the early birth of a child. I don’t have any preference for a boy or girl; I just hope you and Chris can have a baby

soon.”

With my face flushed, I couldn’t bring myself to eat the eggs and sausage.

“Just eat a little of everything for formality purposes,” Bree informed me. She was already peeling an egg for me and handing it over.

Since this was something she wanted, I couldn’t refuse her. Blushing, I took a bite of each and then focused on drinking the potato soup.

213

It wasn’t until I was almost finished that I realized Chris was missing from the dining table. “Bree, where’s Chris?”

“He hasn’t come down yet,” Bree replied.

Right then, we heard footsteps at the staircase. Chris was coming down. I wasn’t sure if it was just my imagination, but he seemed visibly tense.

My heart sank as I watched him approach me.

“Maddie, I’ve consulted Mr. Xenos. He said the best time for us to get our marriage certificate is at precisely 10:58 am. We don’t need to go so early.”

“Oh,” I responded softly. However, for some reason, the joy I secretly felt had vanished. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

I knew about William Xenos. He was Chris‘ fortune–teller.

Brée and Zack quickly agreed, “We’ll do as Mr. Xenos says.”

Chris sat down to eat breakfast. Despite the lavish spread, he finished quickly. He didn’t quite wolf the food down, but he definitely ate faster than usual.

9

When Bree handed him the eggs and sausage that I didn’t eat, he also quietly

ate them.

“Maddie, wait for me at home. I need to go and prepare something,” he said mysteriously.

Bree winked at me, mouthing that he was preparing a gift for me.

Remembering his comment last night about a prize for being first, I naturally assumed this was it. I watched him leave before I went upstairs.

Just as I was taking off my coat, my phone rang. It was a call from Gordon.

“Good morning, Mrs. Gildon.”

It seemed Gordon also knew I was getting married to Chris today.

I put on a small smile. “Good morning, Mr. Yates. Is something the matter?”

“Ms. Crown, I’m sending you an address. Please come over now. I’ll be waiting for you there. Mr. Gildon has a gift for you,” Gordon mysteriously instructed me.

“Okay,” I agreed and hung up the phone.

Gordon sent me the address to a place called Dazzle Residences.

I drove over and found Gordon already waiting for me. Without saying a word, he handed me a set of keys. Only then did I realize that the gift Chris had prepared for me was a house.

Chris knew me well; he knew that no matter how good things were at the Gildon estate, I would still want my own space.

My heart was wrapped in a mix of emotions–sweet, warm, and a bit sour.

Happily, I took the keys and opened the door to the sight of a brightly lit room.

As I put just one foot over the threshold, a familiar figure emerged from the bedroom.

I froze when I saw Jewel standing there in her sleeping gown.