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."

by my old nickname, the way my parents had. I saw images of my parents, and I couldn't help the scream

as I sobbed. My fists thumped

of love,

so much that I could have keeled over, but I was helpless against 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

I awoke, it was to the warm yellow lights overhead and the man slumped over my

my eyes in exhaustion. I was still hurting, but my emotions were in check, and I was

mostly so he would not fret over me anymore. He helped me up and picked up the glass of warm water on the

until my hand trembled as it clasped around the glass that

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 on his face, then at

time is it?" I dared

for good measure, "It's

lips to say something, but he patted my head affectionately

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

"All right.