Love's Redemption

Redmption 20

Under Zack’s and Bree’s hopeful gaze, I finally nodded.

But deep down, I left myself with a reminder: if Chris had any involvement with Jewel again, I would leave him even after getting married.

Everyone at the dinner table breathed a sigh of relief after I agreed to the marriage. The atmosphere relaxed and became warm.

Of course, I couldn’t leave after dinner.

Back in the bedroom, Chris and I were both somewhat awkward, even more so than last time.

“You should take a shower first,” Chris said.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Lisa calling. I glanced at Chris. “Go ahead and shower. I’ll take this call.”

After Chris went into the bathroom, I answered Lisa’s call. “Maddie, you didn’t come back to my place yesterday, and you didn’t come over today either. You’re not back at the Gildon estate again, are you?”

Looking at the large bed in the room, I hummed softly in reply.

“Are you and Chris back together?” Lisa sounded surprised.

I bit my lip. “We’re getting married tomorrow.”

Lisa didn’t say anything for a while. When she finally did, she asked, “Have you thought it through?”

I walked to the window, looking at the half–moon outside. “The moon waxes and wanes, just like human beings where there are good days and bad days. He’s blocked Jewel’s contact information and said he won’t contact her again. I want to give him one more chance.” After saying that, I paused. “One last time.

Lisa knew me well. Since I’d made up my mind, there was no need for her to persuade me. She simply reminded me, “Maddie, just remember that safety and happiness are what you’re looking for in a man.

“Okay.” I hung up the phone and stood there contemplating, but my mind was

empty. I felt neither sad nor happy.

There was a chill behind me as Chris embraced me from behind wearing only pajama pants. There were still water droplets on his arms where he hadn’t dried off.

The man was wild and sexy.

His lips brushed against my neck, lightly nibbling, sending tingles through me, making every nerve in my body tense.

I knew what he wanted to do, but I held his hand. “Let’s wait until tomorrow.”

We were getting married tomorrow anyway. One day wouldn’t make a difference.

Chris stiffened. Even though he held onto my hand tighter, he didn’t force me. Instead, he kissed my cheek.

“Take a shower, and go to sleep early. We’ll go to register first thing in the morning. Let’s try to be the first in line.”

He spoke urgently, as if he was pressed for time.

I laughed. “Is there a prize for being the first?”

He hesitated and then said, “There is.”

He was eager, but I was against it. It was wise to leave at this moment.

I went to the bathroom and stayed there for almost an hour. When I felt that he would be asleep, I came out. Perhaps not wanting me to feel embarrassed, Chris was really sound asleep, with his phone silently set on the bedside table.

Although nothing had happened between us tonight, what had happened the other night had left me traumatized and afraid that his phone would ring.

It was a restless night for me as it was filled with dreams. I had a dream that Chris drove to a riverside. As he drank in a cave with his car door open, a snake slithered in and out. It eventually transformed into a monkey jumping around.

When I woke up, it was still dark outside, and Chris was in a deep sleep.

I slowly turned to look at him, taking in his high nose bridge, long, curled eyelashes, and perfectly shaped under–eye area. Men with slightly thick lips

Chap 20

like his were said to be fortunate and faithful.

As I was lost in my thoughts, Chris suddenly opened his eyes, catching me off guard. Despite how familiar we were with each other, my heart skipped a beat, and my cheeks flushed.

“Morning,” I quietly greeted him.

“Good morning,” Chris mumbled, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep. “Mrs. Gildon,”

I was startled. As my cheeks reddened even more, I shifted back slightly and quickly got out of bed to freshen up in the bathroom.

When I came out, Chris had already left the bedroom. I picked out a white shirt dress from the closet and paired it with a pale yellow coat. I felt refreshed.

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