Love's Redemption

Redmption 332

It seemed that they had been watching us for a while.

So, they had to have seen those intimate moments between Brandon and me.

I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but their expressions were quite somber.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Since we had run into them face to face, I had to greet them.

I walked over with Brandon. "Bree, Zack, Conrad."

Bree was the first to smile. "Maddie, Brandon, what are you doing here?"

I glanced at Brandon. "We're here to visit a friend."

I didn't mention Ellie's situation because I knew that Brandon didn't want her condition to be shared with others.

If Zack and Bree knew about Ellie being hospitalized, they might go to visit her. Then, if Ellie asked about our relationship with them, I would have a hard time explaining.

So, it was better not to say anything.

After I finished speaking, I looked at Zack. He had to be supported to stand up, and he didn't look well at

all. It was clear that he was sick.

"What's wrong with Zack?"

"He-"

Bree began speaking, but Zack interrupted, "It's just high blood pressure. It's nothing serious."

Bree glanced at him. It was clear that he was not being truthful.

It seemed that Zack, like me, was keeping something to himself. Our relationship had clearly drifted further apart.

I remembered that when he was sick before, he would always tell me first and ask for help finding medicine.

"Maddie, do you need any help with anything here?" Conrad asked.

"No, thank you," I declined his offer.

There was a moment of silence until Brandon broke it saying, "Zack, let me and Mae accompany you to see the doctor."

His words were considerate, putting me in the position of someone who wanted to help.

"It's fine," Zack declined. "You two should just go about your business."

Bree added, "Maddie, you can come visit Zack again once you're done."

"Alright. Brandon and I will head out then."

Brandon nodded at Zack and Bree, and we left hand in hand.

We hadn't walked far when Bree sighed. "She has grown distant from us."

"Don't say such things. It's just your own thinking," Zack chided.

I swallowed hard, but Brandon's grip on my hand tightened.

Since a heart donor had been found, Ellie was now entering the

el

pre-surgery examination phase. So, Brandon and I spent the day accompanying her through the tests.

Swn

Ellie was in high spirits, like a bird released from its cage. Even during the examinations, she remained cheerful, and her positive mood lifted us.

Coincidentally, we ran into Zack again while we were with Ellie for her heart checkup.

The earlier fabrications were immediately exposed, but they were innocent omissions, and no one paid them much attention.

After the checkup, Ellie asked me, "Maddie, are they your relatives?"

"They're my adoptive parents," I clarified Zack and Bree's relationship.

"Is the younger man who is a bit taller their son?" she inquired further.

"Yes, I call him Conrad. Don't tell me you're also finding him attractive?" I teased.

She shook her head. "No, but he kept staring at you. His gaze was a bit... hard to describe."

I laughed. "You've been watching him quite a bit too."

"I have to keep an eye out for Bran. What if another man likes you and tries to pursue you?" Ellie's cuteness was absolutely irresistible. Brandon tapped her on the head with his finger. "Oh? And you think you can stop anyone from pursuing her?"

"I can," she

tell him that

Your Sticking out her need to get my approval die is

yours. If he wants to pursue

he'll

Brandon and I both laughed at her. Then, she asked, "Maddie, does Conrad have a brother?"