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.

he wasn't

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

so it's my problem. I shouldn't have said anything. I should be

he

left me in tears, but

the argument, the

for a way to ease the tension.

you. You go take a shower," Brandon said before pushing me back into the bathroom and shutting

Brandon

at my teary reflection in the mirror when he said

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

now, despite Brandon's indulgence and affection, I found myself

to stop this," I said to

warmed up the milk. He was

walked over, and he set aside his computer to take the

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

you upset about?" His hand moved through my hair and

because you deceived me and

"Hmm?" He seemed confused.

nibbled on the edge of my cup. "I thought the boss behind Xander was you. I assumed you were deliberately hiding your