Love's Redemption

"Don't do that." Ellie pushed my head back onto Brandon's shoulder. "Maddie, just lean on Bran like that. I love seeing you two all lovey-dovey."

I looked at her helplessly.

"Bran, Maddie." Ellie looked at us with her clear eyes. "I was going to wait a few days to say something, but since we're on the topic, I might as well say it now."

"Don't overthink it, and don't say anything silly." I already had a feeling about what she was going to say.

However, Brandon said, "Let her speak."

Ellie smiled at him. "You really are my brother. You know me best."

After that, she looked at me. "Maddie, listen to me first."

She giggled, then cleared her throat with a couple of coughs before gripping both mine and Brandon's hands tightly. "Here I go."

Both Brandon and I stayed silent, but our breathing became noticeably tense.

"Bran, Maddie, I want to donate my organs." Her words caught Brandon and me by surprise, and they shocked us.

"What are you talking about?" Brandon asked in a heavy tone.

"I said I want to donate my organs, but only if my surgery fails or if something happens to me in the future," Ellie said in all seriousness.

My breathing became heavier as well. "Why would you even think of that?"

"Since my surgery needs someone else's heart, I want to give back if the time comes. Even if my heart can't be used, my liver, kidneys, and corneas could still help someone else. I want to donate them to give others a chance at life." Ellie had a baby face with eyes as pure as a child's.

However, what she said was like thunder, and I felt a rush of blood from my feet to my head.

Brandon didn't speak. I couldn't tell what he was feeling and turned to look at him.

He was staring at Ellie with a tremor in his eyes as well. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He was just as shocked as I was by Ellie, whom he had raised.

"Bran, why aren't you saying anything?" Ellie knew Brandon was the one who could decide her fate, and she looked at him nervously.

"Bran, it doesn't matter if you agree or not. I've already made up my mind. After all, I'm an adult now. I have the right to make my own decisions," Ellie said.

I was too stunned to speak at that moment, and all I could do was look at Brandon.

After a long pause, he finally looked at Ellie and asked, "Have you really made up your mind?"

"Yes, I've had this thought for a long time," Ellie answered firmly.

"Then, why didn't you bring it up before?" Brandon asked again.

Ellie glanced at me, then lowered her voice as she said, "I was afraid that you wouldn't agree."

"Bran, if something happens to me in the future and I end up in a coma or something, don't count on a miracle. Don't let me just lie there like a living corpse. Just follow my wishes, donate what needs to be donated, and take my ashes back to my little courtyard. Bury me under the peach tree at the entrance."

Her words gripped my heart like a hand. I felt like I couldn't breathe.

Yet, Ellie smiled brightly. Her eyes reflected a rainbow of colors. "That way, I can become the most beautiful flower every year."

"Bran, please, just promise me, okay?" Ellie had said so much, but seeing that Brandon still hadn't responded, she began to plead.

Then, she looked at me. "Maddie, help me convince Bran."

I couldn't persuade him. Ellie had spoken so lightly, but for Brandon, it was far too cruel.

If that day ever came, how could he bear to slowly separate from the sister that he loved so much?

"Okay."

Just when I thought Brandon would never agree, he actually did.

"I promise you." Brandon's voice was choked with emotion.