Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

"What is it?" I asked with a smile.

Ellie bit her lip. "Mae, is my surgery going to cost a lot of money?"

My heart skipped a beat at her question, worried she might change her mind because of the

cost. "No, it's not that much. And don't worry about the money. Your brother just got a new job as a technical engineer. His salary is quite substantial."

Ellie remained silent. I moved closer to her. There was a concept in psychology called the "proximity effect". It suggested that sometimes trust wasn't built through words but simply by stepping closer to

someone.

I gently stroked Ellie's long, silky hair. "The doctor performing your surgery is a senior of one of my friends. He's incredibly skilled. All you need to do is focus

on getting better. Once the surgery is over, you'll be healthy again."

"Mae." Ellie's eyes began to shimmer with tears. "You're so kind."

I smiled. "Of course. If I weren't, your brother wouldn't have liked me for so long."

you and my brother is so sweet, just like in

novels she loves to read, I said, "Once you're

that the

of love? That was

wasn't in his room, and I

Where did he go?

distance, by the river,

Now, I can identify Brandon from a distance. When someone is in

thought that he didn't even notice me approaching,

up but softly said, "What brings

you know it was me? Why didn't you think it was one of the ladies around here who had a crush

of jealous questions even made me

would dare, and besides..." Brandon

of him, too. He

face. "Why are you out here alone? Is

some-fresh air," he said, gazing at the lake. However, the

into his arms. "You're

didn't respond, confirming my