Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

"Ellie can have the surgery now. It can be done in the next few days!" Lisa's voice came through the speakerphone. Brandon immediately looked at me, and I nodded to confirm the good news.

"Have they found a heart donor?" Brandon asked.

Lisa paused on the other end, then said jokingly, "It's pretty late, Mr. Howell. What are you still doing at Maddie's place?"

She was clearly teasing Brandon, but now wasn't the time for that. I cut her off, saying, "Cut it out. Get to the point."

Lisa chuckled lightly and explained, "It's not a new donor. The family of the previous donor changed their minds again." "What did Mr. Marrow say?" Brandon asked.

"He said that Ellie's test results are all good. As long as there are no unexpected complications or infections, the surgery can happen within three days." The fact that Lisa could say that had to be because she had talked to Keith.

Both Brandon and I were a bit excited. The veins on his forehead were even twitching. I held his hand as he asked Lisa, "Is there anything else I need to confirm with Mr. Marrow?"

"Not really," Lisa replied. Then, she added, "Actually, yes. You need to prepare the payment for the surgery."

I glanced at Brandon and immediately caught his meaning. "Don't worry. We have enough for the surgery. We won't owe your hospital anything."

"Okay. Then, I won't keep you any longer," Lisa said. Just as I thought she was about to hang up, she added, "Mr. Howell, Maddie is now on her period, so the two of you can't be intimate."

I fell silent.

Brandon did too.

We were happy that Ellie could have the surgery, but we were also anxious. After all, any surgery comes with risks.

That night, neither of us slept well.

Before dawn, Brandon got up. I then heard the clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen.

He was making breakfast.

If I was not mistaken, the breakfast was probably for Ellie as well.

I got up and stared out the window

for a while before grabbing my phone. I checked Instagram and saw that Jason, who had added me the day before, was now on my friends list. He hadn't sent me any messages.

Why did he add me if he wasn't going to send me a message? Did he just want to add me on social media? What a waste of time.

I stared at a profile picture for a moment, then opened his feed.

I saw that Derick had posted an update from a billiards training venue. Then, I liked the post and commented, "I want tickets."

I wasn't sure how Brandon knew that I was up, but just as I was looking at the feed, he came in with a glass of warm water.

He handed me the water. "I've made some potato soup. Can we bring it to the hospital and have breakfast with Ellie?" I smiled. "Of course we can."

Brandon fixed my messy hair. "Mrs. Howell, we're getting more in sync with each other."

"Brandon, believe that Ellie will be

fine.

the

wouldn't have agreed

So if he wasn't confide

bet

about it," I reassured him.

Brandon nodded and stroked my cheek. "Finish your water and get up. I'll get the breakfast ready."

After I finished the water and got up, I looked out the window and saw a few cigarette butts scattered on the ground below.

They had been left by Chris the night before. He had returned and even found this place.

Still, he probably didn't come to see me because he saw me with Brandon.

Brandon and I went to the hospital. Since it was early, there weren't many people around.

But because there were so few

people, I spotted Charles right away.

He was standing on the steps

hospital lobby while looking up

the sky.

the

He wasn't doing anything but just standing there in that pose. I felt an indescribable sadness from that man.

"Stop the car," I told Brandon.

He stopped the car, and I pointed to the distance. "Look, it's Charles."