Chapter 314

Brandon narrowed his eyes, and I instinctively tightened my grip on him. "Is that true?" "Why would you say that?" he asked, turning the question back on me. I was about to tell him that Bree had mentioned it when Ellie's voice called out from afar. "Maddie, your phone's been ringing nonstop!" She was running toward us as she spoke, but with her heart condition, she shouldn't be running at all. "Okay, I got it," I said as I quickly stood up from Brandon's lap and rushed over to Ellie. The call was from Bree, and she had called several times. It seemed like there was something urgent. "Bree," I answered the phone. "Maddie, why didn't you pick up? I was starting to worry something had happened!" Bree's voice was filled with concern. "No, I just didn't have my phone with me." Bree let out a sigh of relief. "You had me imagining all sorts of terrible things." "I'll make sure to keep it with me next time." I promised her, then asked, "Bree, is there something you need?" "I'm