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,

close.

nothing. He just watched me as

stairwell, our gazes locked in a silent

small courtyard where Ellie lived crossed my mind, along with thoughts of her illness and my first impression of Brandon. Eventually, I

to my room. However, Brandon stopped me and

laughed. "No, I

added, "I value

softened a bit as he reached out to pat

was reminiscent of soothing a child. I blinked at him. "Brandon, I

Brandon asked, "Why?"

smiled slightly. "She must have been very cherished by

more intense as he took my wrist and guided me into his

decline, but his warm hand was so inviting that I found myself following

a cartoon cup featuring a cat's

to use someone else's stuff," I said, both deliberately and as a test. Chapter

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

sweetness gave me a feeling of

don't drink alcohol alone. It's not

that