Crossroads

Even though he was right and I knew that I was at fault, why did I feel like I was the one who had been wronged? Why did I end up crying?

Brandon turned back and, seeing me crying uncontrollably, reached out to hold me again. "It's my fault for being too harsh. I won't say such things again." The more he said this, the more upset I felt.

I raised my hand and hit him. "You're not at fault. Why are you saying it's your fault? It's clearly my mistake."

"No, Mae, you're not wrong. It's my fault for having ill thoughts and speaking carelessly." Brandon insisted on taking the blame.

This made me even more distressed. I hit him again and again.

Finally, overwhelmed by my tears, I bit him.

"That hurts," Brandon said.

It was the first time he had ever said that.

I sighed in relief. Tears were still streaming down my face as I looked at him. Brandon wiped my tears away. "Once you're done biting, no more crying. Otherwise, your eyes will be swollen tomorrow, and that won't look good."

"It's all your fault," I blamed him again.

"Yes, it's my fault. I won't do it again," Brandon said as he wiped my tears away.

wasn't

my arms around his waist and pressed my teary face against his chest. "I've become this way because

I should be punished. Do you want to bite me again?" Brandon

but he just

me in tears, but it

the tears and the argument, the awkwardness

way to ease the tension. "I'd like some

a shower," Brandon said before pushing me back into the bathroom and shutting the door

you're always right," Brandon

my teary reflection in the mirror when

Chris. I never acted out of line. I monitored his every mood, and if he frowned, I would worry that I had upset him in some

despite Brandon's indulgence and affection, I

need to stop this," I said

the shower, Brandon had already warmed up the milk. He

and he set aside his computer to take the towel from my hand and dry my

milk, I thought about the dinner we had and said, "Brandon, do you know I've

upset about?" His hand moved through my hair and

you deceived me and didn't tell me the

"Hmm?" He seemed confused.

I assumed you were deliberately hiding your identity from me." "Why did you think it was me?"