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."

parents had. I saw images of

fists thumped against his solid frame. No one knew how upset I was or how much agony

full of love, yet their lives ended so

it. It made me want to tear myself into pieces to end the m However, Brandon held me firmly enough to keep me from hurting myself. Lost in my fit, I bit him

time. When I awoke, it was to the warm

darkness claimed me, and I closed my eyes in exhaustion. I was still hurting, but my emotions were in check, and I was unlikely to have another breakdown.

picked up the glass of warm water on the nightstand. He brought it to my

it myself," I said. It wasn't until my hand trembled as it clasped around the

gently but firmly as he tipped the rim against my

a glass. Water spilled down the corners of my mouth, but Brandon wiped it off. I glanced at the weary expression

it?" I dared

He added for good measure, "It's

lips to say something, but he patted my head

anything. As such,

"All right.