Love's Redemption

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had been staying here for a few days and hadn’t seen Kelly’s children come to visit her. I didn’t ask about it. But it felt like she had adopted both Brandon and. me as her own children.

One night, Lisa called me and asked when I was coming back. I told her I hadn’t decided yet because I was genuinely happy here. I was happier than I had been since my parents left. I was even considering extending my vacation until I got tired of it.

“Are you reluctant to leave Soldier Boy?” Lisa teased me.

I thought about a few but inexplicably heart–fluttering interactions with Brandon. I replied, “Not reluctant. But his presence definitely makes my heart. feel more alive.”

“Wow. It looks like our Ms. Crown is quite resilient,” Lisa said jokingly.

I didn’t respond. Lisa fell silent for a few seconds before asking, “That jerk Chris still hasn’t contacted you? Not even a Whatsapp message?”

I licked my lips and said, “No…”

Lisa snorted. “He thinks you’ll never leave him.”

I knew that all too well. Looking at the moonlight outside, I murmured, “This time, I’ll show him.” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

I fell asleep while chatting with Lisa. When I woke up again, it was still dark, and the call had ended. Lisa left me a message, “No one in this world is indispensable.*

Yes. I could live without Chris. These past few days, I proved it. I ate well and slept well.

I smiled faintly and was about to go back to sleep when my phone beeped with a.message. Who could be messaging me in the middle of the night?

I opened my eyes and was stunned to see it was from Chris. “Come back once. you’re done causing trouble!”

These words made me boil with anger.

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After all this time, it was only now that he thought of me? And he still spoke as if I was causing trouble, completely unaware of his own mistakes?

I didn’t reply and turned off my phone. But now I couldn’t sleep. So, I got up,

opened the door, and walked into the small courtyard. I headed toward the Honey Locust.

Just then, I heard the sound of a door opening.

I turned around to see Brandon coming out, carrying a backpack and pulling a suitcase. He seemed surprised to see me at this hour. He paused for a moment, and then continued walking without saying a word.

“Where are you going?” I blurted out.

“Going out of town,” he replied without stopping and left the courtyard.

I stood there in a daze for a moment before turning and heading toward his room. Surprisingly, the door wasn’t locked.

I pushed it open and turned on the light to see his room. It was both what I expected and not what I expected.

It was what I expected because the bed was neatly made. Everything in the room was meticulously organized. It was different because many of the items in the room were at least ten years old.

Thinking about what my dad had said, I couldn’t help but feel that these items were the ones that my parents had left behind.

When Kelly came looking for me, I was still in the room. She seemed to understand my thoughts and explained to me without asking.

“These were left by your parents. I had initially wanted to replace them with the new ones that are in the room you’re staying in now. But Brandon insisted on keeping them, saying that they were fine to use.

Touching these items made me feel a pang of sorrow in my heart. Because of these items, I wanted to stay here even more, even if Brandon was gone.

But then I received a voice call from Kara. She sounded on the verge of tears. Ms. Crown, the lights at the amusement park have some major issues. Please come back soon.