Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 226

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Brandon looked puzzled. "Hmm?”

I stepped closer to him, so close that I could smell the soap from his recent shower. It had a pleasant

scent.

I remembered how, back when my parents were alive, our home always used bar soap for washing hands and bathing. Nowadays, people mostly used hand sanitizer or body wash, and it was rare to even smell the fragrance of bar soap.

"Are you wearing a disguise?" I asked, probing him.

Brandon furrowed his brow and glanced at himself. "How much have you had to drink? You seem off."

I had only had one drink, but he noticed it.

His response made me smirk as I reached out and tugged on his shirt. "Brandon, stop playing dumb. I'm not talking about your clothes. I'm asking if you're hiding something about your identity. Are you extremely wealthy? Maybe even a hidden big boss?"

Brandon's jaw tightened. "I don't understand what you're saying."

He started to step back, trying to distance himself from me.

you not understand, or are you pretending? Or is this all

close.

said nothing. He just watched me as I stared

in the stairwell,

of the small courtyard where Ellie lived crossed my mind, along with thoughts of her illness and my first

let go and turned to head back to my room. However, Brandon stopped

"No, I had

"I value my

in Brandon's eyes softened a bit as he

a child. I

Brandon asked, "Why?"

"She must have been

wrist and guided me into his room. "Let

so inviting that I found myself following him

a cartoon cup featuring a cat's head. This was clearly a cup meant for girls. But

cup is this? I don't want to use someone else's stuff," I said, both deliberately

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I bought it just for you." Brandon's words made my heart skip a

sipped the tea, and its sweetness gave me a feeling of being

don't drink alcohol alone. It's not safe," Brandon

Derick. I told you before that nothing would happen with him around," I