Love's Redemption

Brandon looked over and asked me, "Are you going to head over there?"

I shook my head lightly. At that moment, Charles just needed to be alone.

Brandon didn't say anything more. After a few seconds, I looked away and said, "Let's go."

The car drove a long distance. Through the rearview mirror, I saw that Charles was still standing there in the same position, with an air of despair that seemed almost tangible around him.

Because of Brandon, I remained distracted all the way to Ellie's ward.

Brandon didn't say anything, but when we entered the room, he took my hand.

When his fingers intertwined with mine, I immediately understood his thoughts. I smiled at him and said, "I won't affect Ellie with my mood."

"I just don't want it to affect your appetite," he replied while squeezing my hand. "Everyone has their own sadness. He has to get through it on his own."

"Yeah." I pushed open the door to the ward.

Ellie had been reading a book. When she saw us, she immediately put it down and ran toward us. "Bran, Mae."

Ellie was more lively and enthusiastic now than she had been in that secluded little courtyard. She was like a bird that had just been released from its cage.

"Why are you here so early? Did you bring me food?" Ellie hugged me, but her eyes were fixed on the food container in Brandon's hand.

"We didn't bring you food. We're here to eat together." Ellie's eyes lit up upon hearing that.

She leaned her head on my shoulder. "Then, I'm sure I can eat an extra meatball."

"There are no meatballs. You need to avoid greasy food and stick to a light diet," said Brandon.

Ellie frowned at that.

"I'm practically eating like a monk. I want meat!" Ellie responded brattily.

Brandon put down the food container and tapped her on the forehead. "At most, you'll eat like a nun."

"Mae, look at Bran!" Ellie complained to me.

"After your surgery, Bran will cook

you mea

for all three meals," I said as I stroked her hair. "You'll be able

to have the surgery in three days."

I was sure this good news hadn't been shared with her yet because they were afraid that she'd get too excited.

Ellie looked at me in disbelief. "Three days? Didn't they say that it was postponed?"

"It's back on, so for the next three days, you need to take good care of yourself. Don't get sick, don't catch a cold, and don't eat any greasy food." I held her hands and looked at her face, which was still full of youthful collagen. "Just hang in there a little longer."

Ellie looked at me for a moment and then turned to Brandon. When she saw him nodding, she suddenly smiled.

But as

her

Shed, tears welled up in

os 3. & Yes. She hugged me and

are mean. You

said,

but only told me out

I smiled helplessly. "Yes, we're the bad guys for not telling you right away, Ellie, our little princess."

After breakfast, I went to find Lisa. However, the image of Charles standing on those steps kept flashing in my mind.

A strong sense of foreboding made me uneasy. Thus, I turned around and headed to Emma's ward.

Unlike last time, Emma's room was bustling with activity. There were several people inside, and more were arriving.

I stood quietly at the door and saw that everyone inside was wiping their tears.

Charles was still there. He stood quietly and said nothing. His eyes were fixed on the person in the bed.

It was as if the person on the bed was his entire world.

If I still couldn't tell that he liked Emma, then all my years of dating had been for nothing.

"You should leave."

Suddenly, a middle-aged woman spoke to Charles.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

However, Charles didn't seem to have heard her. He didn't respond or move.

"Charles." The middle-aged woman's voice grew louder. "You should go."

"Are you really going to do that to her?" Charles finally spoke.

No one answered him. Charles turned to a middle-aged man and asked, "Mr. Finnegan, are you really going to do that to her?"