Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

I was surprised that Brandon had agreed to her request, but his agreement made my heart ache even more.

He clearly didn't want to, yet he still respected Ellie's wishes.

Perhaps afraid that Brandon might change his mind, Ellie immediately took out her phone and registered online. Watching her carefully fill out the registration information, I realized that she carried incredible energy with her. This energy was positive, uplifting, and full of gratitude.

"Brandon, let's sign up together too." I couldn't help but make my decision as well.

Brandon looked at me, and even Ellie paused her registration. "Mae..."

"Alright," Brandon agreed without hesitation and pulled out his phone.

"Bran, Mae, you guys..." Ellie seemed both excited and uneasy.

That was just how people were. Ellie could be stubborn when making decisions for herself, but when it involves others, she couldn't easily accept it.

But in the end, Ellie didn't try to stop us. Instead, she turned her unease into a smile. "Bran, Mae, let's apply together then. Hopefully, we'll stay healthy for decades and won't need to use this."

She made both Brandon and me laugh. I teased her by asking, "So, your grand act of love is just a formality and not from the heart?"

"Mae, let's just

turned into something lighthearted

loving people, and let's wish

and I each took a cup and clinked it with

It tastes so sweet," Ellie

that her surgery would be successful and that she would stay healthy and

she might feel lonely eating alone. Thus, we planned

you won't be able to eat much at dinner later, and that would be a waste." Ellie laid out her little plan so clearly that it

dinner. Don't worry about me. I've been eating alone for years." Ellie made us stop

lonely she had been all these years, just like me after losing my parents. Even though I was surrounded by noise and laughter in the Gildon family, there was still an

and I went to the restaurant that Xander had mentioned. He remained silent

on him. Even

didn't want to agree, why didn't you just refuse? If you said no, Ellie wouldn't have insisted," I

able to receive someone else's donation, but if something happens

I just held his hand. He looked at

stopped, I saw the hotel logo and remarked, "Mr. Roulder inviting me to dine at Hilcord's finest