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

loves to read, I said, "Once you're healthy, you can have

that the idea

of love? That was

I went to look for Brandon. He wasn't in his room, and I couldn't find him in the yard

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

afar. Now, I can identify Brandon from a distance. When someone is in your heart, everything about them becomes a part of

him. He was so lost in thought that he didn't

softly said, "What

did you know it was me? Why didn't you think it was one of

of jealous questions even made me laugh

else would dare, and besides..."

a part of him, too. He can recognize

front of him, looking at his face. "Why are you out here alone? Is something on your mind?" Chapter

some-fresh air," he said, gazing at the lake. However, the worried expression on his face gave away

arms. "You're worried about Ellie,

didn't respond,