Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 295

I heard my father's voice. "Mae, let's go stargazing tonight. I'll count the stars with you."

"Mae, be a good girl and eat your medicine, alright?"

"Mae..."

"Mom! Dad!" I cried.

I reached for them, but something pinned my hands down. Someone was calling my name. "Mae. Mae, wake up... Wake up..."

I I felt someone cup my face, and the next second, I was staring at Brandon's anxious face. His thumb brushed my cheek as he murmured, "Mae, it's me."

It was Brandon. I snapped out of the painful dream, but the hurt was even more vivid now that I was fully awake.

I bit my lower lip hard enough that I might have drawn blood if Brandon hadn't stopped me. He gently pried my lips open as he said, "Mae, don't hurt yourself. Let go... Come on, sweetheart."

me by my old nickname, the way my parents had. I saw images of my parents, and I

pulled me into his arms, and I buried my face in his shoulder as I sobbed. My fists thumped against his solid frame. No one knew how upset I was or how

so full of love,

I was helpless against it. It made me want to

amid my outburst. I did not dream this time. When I awoke,

in exhaustion. I was still hurting, but my emotions were in check, and I was unlikely to have another breakdown. Instead of lashin "Do

not fret over me anymore. He helped me up and picked up the glass of warm water on the nightstand. He brought it to my lips and waited for me to

myself," I said. It wasn't until my hand trembled as

said gently but firmly as he tipped

but Brandon wiped it off. I glanced at the weary

it?" I

added for good measure, "It's still

something, but he patted my head affectionately

looks, I reckoned he hadn't eaten anything. As

nodded. "All right.