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."

my parents had. I saw images of my parents, and I couldn't help

buried my face in his shoulder as I sobbed. My fists thumped

of love, yet their lives ended so abruptly

it. It made me want to tear

I did not dream this time. When I awoke, it was

were in check, and I was unlikely to have another

hummed quietly, mostly so he would 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

I said. It wasn't until my hand trembled as it clasped around the glass that I realized how

but firmly as he tipped the rim against

my mouth, but Brandon wiped it off. I glanced at the weary expression on his

time is it?" I

10:00 pm," he answered. He added for good measure,

something, but he

reckoned he hadn't eaten anything. As such, I nodded and said, "I want.

nodded. "All right.