Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 356

Abortion?

Jewel was still stirring up trouble.

But if she wanted to make a mess of things, that was her choice. I didn't have the energy to concern myself with anyone else's problems.

"Let her be," I said to Lisa.

"Huh? Is there no saintly act this time?"

Even Lisa was teasing me, showing how much I used to meddle in other people's affairs.

I let out a sarcastic scoff and replied, "The saint's gone dark."

"Ha! Love you for that." Lisa laughed, clearly amused.

After she hung up, I headed to the Demolition Permits Office to finalize the paperwork. The clerk gave me a notice and told me I had three days to pack up and move out.

I braced myself when I first saw the demolition notice and started packing. But now, with a deadline, it hit me that my home was truly about to be torn down.

AsI returned to my neighborhood, I stood outside my block for a long time and didn't go up. The usual neighbors I often saw were nowhere in sight—they'd probably already moved out.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice when Brandon appeared beside me. It wasn't until I felt too tired to stand and decided to go upstairs that I realized he was there.

"Hungry?" Brandon asked as he looked at me.

He didn't pry into anything else, just checking in with a simple question.

I shook my head slightly, not saying a word.

At that moment, I felt utterly exhausted to even speak.

"Tired?"

Brandon was always good at reading people.

I nodded in response.

Brandon opened his mouth to speak. Before he said something, I lifted my feet and started walking upstairs. He fell in step beside me, taking my bag from my hand.

He understood me well. As we climbed the stairs, he didn't say anything more. We just walked in silence.

While we reached the top, I held out my hand to him. But he didn't hand me my bag right away; instead, he looked at me.

I knew he understood what I wanted, but he was waiting for the word.

I dropped my hand and finally spoke.

When I finished, I repeated what I'd said all those years ago.

"If this is good writing, then I'm definitely going to be a great writer."

"Of course. My daughter will be a great writer."

Suddenly, I heard my dad's voice.

I froze and quickly looked beside me. That wasn't what my dad had said back then. He tapped me on the head and said, "You've got to be humble if you want to be better."

But just now, I had clearly heard him say something different.

I had really heard it.

I stood up and looked around the room. But the house was empty, and I was alone.

But I swear I had heard it.

"Dad, Mom," I called out as I rushed to the kitchen.

The kitchen was empty. I looked back at the couch, but there was no one there.