Love's Redemption

Redmption 220

Derick didn’t give me a chance to say no, and I knew exactly what that meant.

Clutching the phone, I looked over at Brandon. After a brief pause, I walked over to him. Just as I was about to speak, Brandon said, “I’m leaving the day after tomorrow.”

“Leaving?” I was taken aback “Where to?”

Brandon kept walking forward. “Back home.”

I wondered if he wanted to go back to Amaty. But Brandon had said he would stay, and he even rented an apartment.

Thinking about the apartment made me recall the upcoming demolition and the favor Olivia had asked of me. I hadn’t even mentioned it to Brandon yet.

I wanted to ask why he suddenly decided to go back, but I hesitated. Instead, I said, “I’ll come by tomorrow night to check the setup.”

Brandon looked at me, his eyes seeming to say, “You might have time, but I don’t.”

I waited for him to refuse. But after staring at me for a few seconds, he simply said, “Okay.”

I knew he was holding back when he said that.

Brandon was still upset, but he didn’t make things difficult for me. He was the one making the sacrifice.

At that moment, I suddenly felt like a terrible person. I was taking advantage of Brandon’s feelings for me, treating him unfairly because I could.

People were like this. The one who chased always ended up hurt. Just like how it was for me with Chris. All those memories of being wronged came flooding back.

I thought about the quote, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

“Brandon,” I called out to him. “I have to go see Derick tonight because I asked him to look into

something for me, so I have to go.”

Brandon’s gaze darkened slightly before he responded quietly, “Okay.”

“Tomorrow night, you can cook dinner for me, and then we can come together to check the lights,” I teased, trying to coax him.

Brandon’s lips twitched slightly. “Madeline, I’m not a child who can be placated with a treat.”

I pouted. “Oh.”

Brandon’s brow furrowed slightly. I leaned in closer and asked, “Bran, is that not enough? What will work?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I noticed Brandon stiffen. His ears turned red, and his eyes wavered with intense emotion.

I was just teasing him, but I didn’t expect the word “Bran” to have such a strong impact.

Seeing Brandon, this tough guy, flustered and stirred up by my teasing was both refreshing and thrilling.

Just when I thought he might do something in response, I heard him say in a low voice, “You reject me,

avoid me, and then you flirt with me. Madeline, are you deliberately stringing me along?”

His serious expression and the hurt in his eyes made me feel like I had wounded him deeply.

Feeling a bit guilty, tswallowed hard and said, “Well, see you tomorrow. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

With that, I stepped back, turned around, and breathed out. On the way back, I realized I might have gone too far.

Yet, at that moment, I couldn’t help but tease him.

I didn’t want to get emotionally involved with him, but I couldn’t help but tease him just to see the way he reacted to me. It was frustrating and self–defeating.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how selfish and wrong I had been. I regretted that I hadn’t controlled myself.

The feeling made me shake my head in self–mockery. I even considered giving myself a good pinch for my actions.

Just as I was lost in my frustration, Jewel’s voice suddenly called out from ahead, “Madeline.”

Looking up, I saw Jewel standing not far away. Given my earlier behavior, she must have seen everything. It was pretty embarrassing.