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.

Or is this all just an act?"

close.

He just watched me as

the dim light in the stairwell, our gazes locked in

crossed my mind, along with thoughts of her illness and my first impression of Brandon. Eventually, I looked away and chuckled. "You're so poor, it couldn't be

back to

"No, I

playfully added, "I value my life and don't

coldness in Brandon's eyes softened a bit as he reached out

was reminiscent of soothing a child. I blinked at

Brandon asked, "Why?"

smiled slightly. "She must have been

more intense as he took my wrist and guided me into

hand was so inviting that I found myself

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

don't want to use someone else's stuff," I said, both deliberately and as a test.

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

tea, and its sweetness gave me a feeling of being

drink alcohol alone. It's not

before that nothing would happen with