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."

chuckled at that. "Mae, the love between you and my brother is so sweet,

read, I said, "Once you're healthy, you

red, showing that the idea appealed to

was

Ellie continued packing, I went to look for Brandon. He wasn't in his room, and I couldn't find him in

Where did he go?

out of the yard and looked around under the moonlight. In the distance, by the river, I saw his figure. Even in the

used to be able to tell when Chris' car was approaching or recognize his footsteps from afar. Now, I

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

up but softly said, "What brings

did you know it was me? Why didn't

even

and besides..." Brandon paused slightly. “Your scent is

I've become a part of him, too.

in front of him, looking at his face. "Why are you out here alone?

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

his arms. "You're worried about Ellie, aren't

respond, confirming