Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 2

When Chris heard the noise, he looked up. His gaze fell on my face. I didn't even have to see it to know how dark my expression was.

"Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, frowning slightly.

I walked to his desk without a word. Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I said, "If you don't want to marry me, I can let your mom know."

Chris' frown deepened when he realized that I had overheard his conversation with Derick.

My throat felt dry as I continued, "I never thought that I'd end up being a burden to you, Chris—"

"To everyone else, we're already like a married couple," Chris interrupted me.

So what? Was he marrying me because of what everyone else thought? I wanted him to marry me because he loved me and wanted to spend his life with me.

With a click, Chris capped the pen in his hand and looked at the marriage license application form I was holding. "We'll register next Wednesday."

This was what I wanted to hear, but at that moment, it only made me feel terrible.

I lowered my head and shook it slightly. "Chris, you don't have to force yourself. I'm not some charity case."

"Madeline Crown!" he said sternly.

I trembled and looked up to meet his impatient gaze, only to see him reaching his hand out toward me. My grip on the marriage license application form tightened.

His jaw clenched, and he ordered, "Give it to me."

I didn't move, and the atmosphere grew tense.

A few seconds later, he got up and stood in front of me. His tall frame loomed over me as he exhaled lightly with a hint of helplessness. "I was just joking with Derick. Did you take it seriously?"

Was it really just a joke?

"You know how prideful men can be," he explained. He raised his hand and gripped my arm before sliding down to take hold of my hand. Then, he pulled the document from my grasp.

"Don't believe everything you hear in the future." He then turned around and put the document away in a drawer before grabbing his coat. "I need to go out for a bit."

Lately, he had been going out frequently, and he would stay out for a long time each time.