Love's Redemption



So, it was all just an illusion. Even my dad's voice was just a figment of my imagination.

They had been gone for ten years.

How could I possibly have heard their voices just now?

I stood there, disoriented. As the last light from the window faded, the room fell into darkness. I started sobbing uncontrollably. The profound sorrow of losing my parents and never seeing them again engulfed me.

That night, I slept restlessly, even dreaming of my parents.

When I woke up, I felt utterly exhausted, as if I had been through a lot of physical labor.

I tried to get up, but I couldn't.

At that moment, I realized that I was ill. I lifted my hand to feel my forehead-it was warm.

"Mae, are you up?" Brandon's voice resonated from outside the door.

I opened my mouth and tried to respond. However, my voice came out in a whisper, and my throat felt painful like I had swallowed shards of glass. I had no choice but to text him on my phone. "I'm sick. You can use the key to come in."

He had a key from when I had given it to him before.

Within seconds, I heard the door unlock, followed by Brandon's urgent footsteps.

His cool hand touched my forehead, relieving me from the heat. It felt soothing, making me want to stay close. However, he withdrew his hand. "Mae, you've caught a fever. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Feeling miserable, I grasped his hand and pressed it against my face. The next moment, his lips brushed my forehead.

"I'm here. Everything's alright. We're going to the hospital."

I struggled through the pain in my throat.

"I'll... just take some medicine."

"Take the meds first, then we'll go to the hospital," Brandon said.

He gently rubbed my face and then went searching for the medication.

In no time, he brought water and some medicine. He helped me up and held me as I swallowed the pills.

After a brief rest, he said, "I'm taking you to the hospital for a check-up."

As I shook my head, Brandon kissed my forehead again.

"Listen, you've suddenly come down with a fever. It's best to go for a check-up."

After dealing with Ellie's health

issues, he became particularly cautious about illness. I didn't argue and let him take me to the hospital. By the time we arrived, the

е

medication had taken effectand my

fever had subsided.

"I'm feeling b

though

better now. There's no a check-up," I said, was just afraid of needles,

need for

blood draws. Content bespecially

"Let's at least see the doctor," Brandon insisted.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

to

Since I couldn't argue with him, I

reluctantly agreed to get a consultation. Still, the doctor recommended that I get a blood test, which was my biggest fear.

Nevertheless, I almost forgot that Brandon was there.

He covered my eyes with his large hand.

"I'm taking you to dinner later tonight. Mr. Roulder invited us," he whispered in my ear.

The dinner seemed sudden. Why would Xander invite us to dinner?

I was feeling confused. But before I could ask, the doctor said, "All done."

Brandon moved his hand away and rested on my arm.

I glanced at my arm and then at the doctor, surprised that the blood draw was already over.

Surprisingly, I didn't feel a thing.

Aside from the doctor's skill, I knew that Brandon successfully distracted me. And that made the procedure painless.

Indeed, having a boyfriend who was truly caring makes even being sick feel like a comfort.

"You've drawn so much blood. Let's go get something nice to eat so you can recover."

While we waited for the test results, Brandon took me to a restaurant across from the hospital.

As we walked in, I spotted someone familiar.

It was Lisa.

As I was about to approach her, Brandon stopped me. He then gestured for me to look in another direction.