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."

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

into his arms, and I buried my face in his shoulder as I sobbed. My fists thumped against his solid frame. No one

full of love, yet their lives ended so abruptly

cried, the more the 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 myself into pieces to end the m However, Brandon held me firmly enough to keep me from hurting myself. Lost

this time. When I awoke, it was

exhaustion. I was still hurting, but my emotions were in check, and I was unlikely to have another

up the glass of warm water on

my hand trembled

as

the corners of my mouth, but Brandon wiped it

time is it?" I

for good measure, "It's

parted my lips to say something, but he patted my head affectionately and asked,

he hadn't eaten anything. As such, I

"All right.