Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 384

Sally sounded sincere when she said that.

It was also clear that she was lonely.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone from confronting me one moment to wanting to be friends the next.

"I don't have many friends. Arthur doesn't let me make any friends, but I can tell he treats you differently, so I thought maybe we could be friends. I'm sure he wouldn't mind," Sally said as she walked toward me.

I didn't respond.

"Madeline, I mean it. I really want to be your friend, and Tiffany really likes you. She's mentioned you several times." Sally brought up her daughter.

"I know you probably look down on someone like me, but maybe you could take it as being friends with Tiffany instead." Sally no longer had the arrogance or haughtiness from earlier.

In fact, she looked almost pitiful now, as if she was begging me.

"I'm swamped and don't have time to make friends." I refused.

It wasn't that I was being heartless, but getting involved with Arthur's woman would only bring trouble and no benefits.

Most importantly, I didn't want to get caught up in any of Arthur's mess.

The hope in Sally's eyes extinguished like a candle in the wind.

She lowered her head and let out a mocking laugh. "I know someone like me doesn't deserve it."

It seemed like she was trying to use self-pity to make me feel bad.

But she didn't know me. The more people tried that, the less likely I was to let my sympathy show.

I turned and walked away, but even as I got far, I could still feel her gaze on me.

By the time Bree called me, it was already evening. "Maddie, did you know Chris is back?"

I thought of the figure I saw in the car that night and answered honestly, "I know."

"Has he come to see you yet?" Bree asked.

What he did that night didn't really count as coming to see me, did it?

"No," I denied. "Bree, is something wrong?"

Bree immediately let out a huff. "I haven't even seen him, so how could anything be wrong?"