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."

the love between you and my brother is so sweet, just like

said, "Once you're healthy, you can have a sweet love story of your

that

dream of love? That was probably why she

went to look for Brandon. He wasn't in his room, and

Where did he go?

and looked around under the moonlight. In the distance, by the river, I saw his figure. Even in the darkness, I could recognize

be able to tell when Chris' car was approaching or recognize his footsteps from afar. Now, I can identify Brandon from a distance. When someone is

over to him. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice me approaching, so I playfully hugged him from

softly said, "What brings you

Why didn't you think it was one of the ladies around

of jealous questions even made me

else would dare, and besides..." Brandon paused slightly.

him, too. He

him, looking at his face. "Why are you

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

arms. "You're worried about

respond,