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 just an act?" I pressed, intentionally

close.

He just watched me as I stared back

stairwell, our gazes locked in

Ellie lived crossed my mind, along with thoughts of her illness and my first

head back to my room. However,

laughed. "No, I

that, I then playfully added, "I value my

a bit as he

gesture was reminiscent of soothing a child.

Brandon asked, "Why?"

have

he took my wrist and guided me into his room. "Let

hand was so inviting that I found myself

cup of tea for me. I noticed it was in a cartoon cup featuring a cat's head. This was clearly a cup meant for girls. But Ellie wasn't

want to use someone else's

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you." Brandon's words

sipped the tea, and its sweetness

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

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