Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Jewel came through safely, and the baby was saved. She returned to her hospital room looking pale and miserable, her eyes red from crying. Combined with her delicate appearance, she looked truly fragile and pitiful.

"Don't worry too much. The baby is fine." Chris reassured her.

"Chris, I'm so scared," Jewel cried.

Chris handed her a tissue, and she took it. She held onto his hand, with her tear-streaked face resting on the back of his hand.

Sure, she looked pitiful, but that didn't mean she could just treat someone else's fiancé like her husband.

I walked over to them. "Mrs. Goodwin, the doctor said that intense emotions aren't good for the baby. You've managed to save your child. It would be a problem if something were to happen because you cried." I gently pulled her away from Chris without making a fuss.

But seeing the tears on Chris' hand back, I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable as if something of mine had been dirtied by someone else.

I was a bit of a clean freak, both in daily life and in relationships.

Jewel seemed surprised when I addressed her as Mrs. Goodwin. Her face visibly stiffened, but she quickly adjusted her emotions.

"Chris, I'm sorry. What am I doing?" She reached for a tissue to wipe Chris' hand, only for me to stop her.

"Mrs. Goodwin, you shouldn't move around right now."

Jewel's face froze, her tearful eyes looked at Chris with obvious admiration.

"Does Jewel like you?" I asked Chris directly as we came out of the ward.

"No," Chris denied it.

"What about you? Do you like her?"

If I was going to ask, I wanted a clear answer. I didn't want to be strung along.

Chris' expression visibly stiffened. After a few seconds, he uttered softly, "We're just friends."

Just friends?

hand and asked me to take care of Jewel..." Chris' voice trembled, and so did his hand

he always seemed emotional. This wasn't the first time he reacted this

"I didn't mean

eyes settled on my face. "Maddie, I'll be more careful in the future." With him putting it this way, what more could I say? But I still reminded him, "Even if you're taking care of her

just now happen again. I didn't want to feel disgusted

"Okay, I understand."

urgent sound of wheels squeaking against

to move aside, I heard Chris utter in a low voice, "Watch out." He then pulled me aside. The group rushed past us from

my ears. This sound reminded me of the time

me to the infirmary. That was the first time I had heard his

was when I had

heartbeat was still

and nuzzled

Chris said as he released me, kissing

of going into the ward, I waited outside the door. I didn't hear what Chris said

still awake, sitting on the couch watching TV without speaking to each other. They

asked Bree Foster, Chris' mother, about it, and she said that after being married for so long and seeing each other every day, they didn't

in love when they were young. Alas, their love settled into something ordinary and

this was what love eventually looked

"Mom, Dad."

"Bree, Zack."

I

you two eaten? If not, there's still food left for you,"

replied before turning to me. "Are you hungry? Would

this moment, I didn't feel hungry.

that case, why don't you two go upstairs and rest? The household staff will bring you some milk

about that smile didn't sit right with me. However, without dwelling on it, I went upstairs. But as soon as I pushed open the door,

could go back downstairs, Bree had already come upstairs. "Maddie, I forgot to mention earlier. We need to clear out Chris' room to make it your shared bedroom. Chris will stay

after we get married. Why do we need to prepare a shared

the holidays or when it gets too late,"