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."

had. I

in his shoulder as I sobbed. My fists thumped against his solid frame. No one knew how upset I was or how much agony I was

love, yet their lives ended

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

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

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

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 take

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

gently but firmly as he

but Brandon wiped it off. I

is it?" I

he answered. He added for good measure, "It's still the

lips to say something, but he patted my

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

"All