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

pulled me into his arms, and I buried my face in his shoulder as I sobbed. My fists thumped against his

so full of love, yet their lives ended so abruptly and

me opened up. It hurt so much that I could have keeled over, but I was helpless against it. It made me want

time. When I awoke, it was to the warm yellow lights overhead and the man slumped over

were in check, and I was unlikely to

helped me up and picked up the glass of warm water on

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

Brandon said gently but firmly as he tipped the rim against my

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

is it?" I dared

for good measure, "It's still the

something, but he patted my head affectionately and asked, "Are

hadn't eaten anything. As such,

"All right.