Chapter 496

Brandon stared at me without saying a word. My heart pounded wildly like I was a criminal waiting for the verdict. After what felt like forever, he tugged at my arm. "Madeline, let go." The knot in my throat loosened, and it felt like I was dropping into a bottomless pit. A wave of pain and humiliation hit me hard. I had swallowed my pride and tried to make things right, but it still wasn't enough. Brandon had made up his mind. He loved me—he really did. But he wasn't going to be with me. He was as stubborn as ever. Frustration took over, pushing me to my limit, and I bit down hard on his shoulder. I heard him groan, but he didn't push me away. He let me keep biting him. The more I bit him, the angrier I got. Maybe he was lost in his own head, I thought. I just wanted to hurt him, to snap him back to reality, and make him change his mind. However, Brandon stayed quiet even when my jaw was aching and I couldn't bite anymore. It felt like he'd turned to stone. I had tried everyt