Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162 

Zack halted abruptly. I even felt his body sway. 

I reached out to steady him. “Zack…” 

He turned to look at me. “Maddie, what prompted this question?” 

I recalled what Brandon said, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell Zack. I could only make up an excuse. Just curious, that’s all.” 

The smile vanished completely from Zack’s face, leaving behind an expression that sent shivers down my spine. 

“Maddie, the car accident that your parents were in all those years ago truly was an accident. I was at the scene. There are police reports and assessments to back it up,” he said heavily. 

I hadn’t been there and didn’t know the whole situation. I knew Zack stopped me from going because he wanted to protect me. He didn’t want me to see how gruesome it had been, but it also became one of my biggest regrets in life. 

“Maddie, if you still have any doubts or don’t believe me, you can check the records from back then.” Zack’s face was ashen. The joy on his face from when we were chatting earlier had disappeared completely. 

I knew that Zack had a strong bond with my father, not unlike that of real brothers. The mention of my parents‘ passing probably made him recall how tragic it had all been. It had upset him. 

I held his arm. “No need. I believe you. I was just curious, that’s all.” 

Zack gazed at me. I thought he was going to say something, but in the end, he didn’t. 

After a pause, he sighed. “Maddie, go downstairs first. I need some time alone.” 

My heart sank. He had wanted to go downstairs with me but changed his mind. “Zack…” 

“I’m fine. Run along now.” Zack waved his hand. 

After I left the study, I didn’t immediately go downstairs. Instead, I leaned against the wall and contemplated. 

Zack’s reaction was abnormal, but his sincerity left me unsure if he was truly hiding something. 

After a while, I made my way downstairs. I heard Bree and Brandon talking. 

I had been worried they wouldn’t get along or Bree would make things difficult for Brandon. But when I heard the occasional laughter from Bree, I felt relieved. 

What could he possibly have said to make Bree, who had reservations toward him, laugh? 

I walked down curiously and heard Bree say, “Such a mischievous child. She was only this tall, and whenever she saw me, she wouldn’t hesitate to call me ‘Mom.‘ I used to say, ‘If only you were my real daughter.” 

“Her mother suggested we arrange a marriage between her and one of my sons, either Chris or Conrad. But Conrad was much older than her, so we settled on Chris.” 

This was the first time I had learned why they chose Chris and not Conrad as my husband in the arranged marriage. 

“After her mother said that, Maddie immediately declared she wanted to marry Chris. She wasn’t shy at 

Chapter 162 

all!” Bree chuckled. 

212 

So, it wasn’t Brandon who had made her laugh, but rather her own nostalgic musings. She was probably telling Brandon all this to agitate him. 

“Mae’s like that. She also loves calling others ‘brother‘ and asking them to carry her,” Brandon said. 

I was shocked. He spoke as though he knew my childhood, but then I realized that he was simply responding to Bree.