BookAmazoneChapter 76 I can't see them, but I picture Bree's gentle and kind face as she sits on the edge of his small bed, the way her hands must smooth the covers. My fingers curl into fists at my sides; I'm frozen here in the hallway, trapped between wanting to rush in and reclaim my place and telling him he only has one mother and the knowledge that Max deserves all the love he can get.
"Max," she starts cautiously, "do you remember your mother?" There's a pause, filled only by the sound of my own ragged breathing.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"No," he admits, so quietly I almost don't catch it. “Is that bad?" "Of course not," Bree assures him. "But... is that what you're asking? If I'm your mother now?" "Can you be?" His voice is hopeful yet uncertain.
"Max, I care about you a lot," Bree says, the weight of her words palpable even through the wooden barrier of a door between us. “But I can't replace her. Your dad loved your mom very much, and it might make him sad if we pretend I'm someone I'm not." I press my forehead against the cool wall, closing my eyes against the sting of unshed tears at the thought of my late wife. Bree's refusal is right, respectful even, but it twists something fierce inside my chest. The ghost of my wife seems 0.00 < Chapter 76 17 Vouchers to stand beside me, almost like I can feel her trying to calm me, even as another part ofyearns for Max to have the maternal love he's been missing.
"Do you not want to be my mom?" he asks.
"No, Max, it's not that. It's... complicated," Bree responds, her voice filled with tension and pain I've never heard before. Bree pauses, and I can almost hear her collecting her thoughts. "Oh, sweet Max," she sighs. "It's not that I don't want to. I just... I can't replace your mom. It wouldn't be fair to you or your dad." "But," Bree continues gently, "what I can promise you is that I will look after you, care for you, and love you like my own... as long as your father and you are okay with that." The knot in my chest tightens further as conflicting emotions crash ontolike waves on a stormy night. Relief and sorrow, gratitude for Bree's sensitivity and regret for the way Max's question must have made her feel.
"Okay," Max murmurs after a moment, and I imagine he's nodding in acceptance. "It's okay, Bree. I just like having you here." "And I'm here, Max. As long as you wantaround," she promises.
Their conversation ends with the soft rustle of sheets and a final goodnight. I want to move away from the door but find myself frozen in place.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBree's silhouette emerges from Max's room, the door closing. She doesn't seeat first, her gaze fixed on the floor as if the weight of her conversation with Max still presses down 37.72% O < Chapter 76
upon her. It's when she takes a step forward, her foot catching the edge of the rug, that our worlds Collide! our Instinctively, reach out, my hand wrapping around her arm to steady her. Her eyes snap up, meeting mine, surprise flickering within them. She startles when she walks into me. "Max is asleep," she blurts.
"Sorry," I mutter, releasing her as if burned by the contact. “You almost fell." I stand awkwardly watching her, my word's lodging in my throat, threatening to suffocate me. Bree watchesback just as intently as an awkward silence moves between us. "How long have you been standing there?" Bree asks, her voice threaded with a mix of curiosity and concern.
I can't bring myself to look directly at her, the weight of guilt and longing heavy in my chest. "Not long, a el m answer tersely, my words clipped and colder than I intended. She seems taken aback by my words but doesn't comment on it. Without another word, I turn on my heel, the sound of my footsteps louder than the drumming of my heart as I stomp away, leaving her alone in the dimly lit hallway.
71.77%
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
