Love's Redemption

Redmption 37

I softly hummed in agreement. “That’s a good suggestion. I’ll think about it.”

“Think about it seriously.”

Lisa paused before adding, “Maddie, the best way to forget someone and move on from a relationship is to start a new one quickly.”

“Got it, Ms. Carline.” I hung up and lay on the bed, staring blankly.

Outside, I heard Brandon’s footsteps. I could tell it was him by the steady, powerful sound.

After a while, the tap turned on and Kelly’s voice sounded. She asked, “Why are you alone? Where’s Maddie?”

didn’t hear Brandon’s response, but I did hear him say, “Don’t put cilantro in the chicken soup.”

Hearing this, I smiled. As I smileg, tears began to fall.

Over the past few years in the Gildon family, I had been eating cilantro. But before that, I never did when I was with my parents.

There was a saying that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I lived in the Gildon’s family as Chris fiancée and Bree treated me as her own daughter. But I always knew that I wasn’t truly one of them.

In many small details, I compromised myself to avoid seeming demanding or spoiled. Forcing myself to eat cilantro was only one of the examples.

When Kelly called me to eat, I had already fallen asleep. Leven had a dream. where I was getting a marriage certificate with Brandon. I was just about to sign when I was woken up.

I

“Didn’t you and Brandon talk things out?” Kelly asked at the dinner table. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Thinking about the interrupted dream, I snorted. “We were about to get the marriage certificate, but then… you called. So, we didn’t sign.”

“What?” Kelly was confused. “The two of you are getting married just like that? You’re not even going to talk for a couple of days?”

I sighed. “No. I meant in my dream.”

“Maddie, you’ve got good taste. If you miss out on Brandon, you’ll regret it. If I were 50 years younger, I’d pursue him myself,” Kelly teased.

I burst into laughter. Kelly was indeed funny.

“Don’t laugh. I’m serious. If you don’t act quickly, that widow will snatch him up, ” she said.

At this point, it was just me and Kelly at the table. I couldn’t help but ask, “Mrs. Rhodes, where’s Brandon?”

“He went out to drink with a friend.”

I ate a spoonful chicken soup, savoring its flavor. “Doesn’t he have to drive? Isn’t it bad to drink?

“He

only helps out occasionally. He doesn’t drive all the time,” Kelly explained. Then, she looked at me and asked, “Are you really going to get married?”

“No, I was just dreaming about it,” I clarified, earning another eye roll from Kelly.

I didn’t see Brandon for the rest of the night. But just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard him come back.

Kelly’s voice followed as she said, “Make sure to lock the door. We have a young lady in the house now.”

“It’s all locked. You can sleep now.” Brandon’s voice was low and clear. It was particularly pleasant to hear at night.

I smiled and then heard Kelly add, “Brandon, you need to hurry. Maddie said she dreams of marrying you.”

I sat up in bed abruptly. I had never said that!

Kelly was really talkative, spreading rumors just like that.

Now I really wouldn’t be able to face him. As I stewed over this, I heard Brandon’s reply. “Got it. I hurry.”

I was speechless.