Redmption 119


    As Brandon spoke, his grip on my hand tightened. His eyes narrowed slightly, and something


    flickered in them briefly.


    Then, the pressure on my hand eased as he let go.


    I quickly stepped aside and rubbed the spot where his grip had hurt. “I’ve made all the changes you


    marked. Do you want to take a look now?”


    Brandon remained lounging in the chair. He even closed his eyes again. “No need. You should go


    rest.”


    “Okay. Good night,” I said before turning to leave.


    “Mae,” Brandon suddenly called out from behind me.


    I froze. What did he just call me?


    Mae…


    It was my nickname. Only my parents had ever called me that when they were, alive, and


    sometimes Lisa, though she usually called me “Maddie“.


    Yet I distinctly heard Brandon say “Mae” just now.


    I turned back in surprise and looked at him. “What did you call me?”


    “Nothing,” he said, still with his eyes closed. “Just… make sure to close the door.”


    Bewildered, I stared at him for a moment. Then, ensuring the door was firmly shut, I left his room.


    Instead of heading straight back to my room, I leaned against the hallway wall, trying to steady my


    breath and racing heart.


    But the more I forced myself to calm down, the more images of my interaction with Brandon shed


    through my mind–his gaze locked with mine, and his arms around me as he helped with the


    document.


    Ultimately, I had to pat my head to force myself back to my room. After copsing onto the bed, I


    hoped sleep woulde soon.


    To distract myself, I grabbed my phone and noticed several unread messages


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    on WhatsApp..


    One from Lisa read, “The viins always get to live forever. He’s not dead or even hurt. Just lost lots


    of blood.”


    I chuckled at her message and replied, “I’ll hit him harder next time.”


    Lisa didn’t respond. She was likely asleep or back in surgery.


    Then, I switched to my chat with Derick. He had sent several messages about Chris


    Derick: “You really headshot your ex. That’s impressive.”


    Derick: “Keep this between us, but good job.”


    Derick: “If you’d had this attitude earlier, maybe things wouldn’t have gone this far.”


    Derick: “Chris is the type who needs a reality check to stay grounded.”


    As I read Derick’sst message, an image of Jewel’s soft, maniptive facade shed through my


    mind. She always yed innocent around me, and I could only imagine it was worse with Chris.


    Would Chris eventually grow tired of her?


    After a brief distraction, I remembered her im that Chris owed her and that, he had ruined her.


    I replied, “Derick, does Chris… owe Jewel something?”


    Since it was alreadyte, Derick didn’t respond immediately. So I pondered for a few seconds and


    added, “Or does Chris owe something to Jewel’s husband?”


    I stared at my phone screen for a long time, but no reply came. So, I set my phone down and


    prepared to close my eyes.


    Then, through the quiet air, I heard a voice. “Brandon… You’re so heartless…”


    I let out a soft chuckle and turned to look at Kara, who was asleep in the bed across from me.


    How badly had Brandon treated her for her to curse him even in her dreams?


    Instinctively, images of my earlier encounter with Brandon surfaced. Strangely, the more I thought


    about it, the less shaken I felt, and soon, I drifted into


    Chapté 119


    dreams.


    I dreamed of Brandon in his youth, chasing after me as I ran wild. “Mae, be


    careful. Don’t fall…”