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?

he held my hand and asked me to take care of Jewel..." Chris' voice

he mentioned lan's death, he always seemed emotional. This wasn't the first time he reacted this

him this way. "I didn't mean anything

feels insecure by herself," Chris explained on her behalf. His dark 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 for lan's sake, you should know that men and women

now happen again. I didn't want to

"Okay, I understand."

when we heard the urgent

Just as I was about to move aside, I heard Chris utter in a low voice, "Watch out."

time shortly after I had arrived at the Gildon estate, when I had attended a school event and accidentally fallen from

over and held me. He had then reassured me and carried me to the infirmary. That was the first

when I had truly fallen

was still racing, and it was because

to think about anything else, and nuzzled my

Jewel," Chris said as he released me, kissing my

I didn't hear what

returned home, his parents were still awake, sitting on the couch watching TV

so

his parents used to be passionately in love when they were young. Alas, their love

what love

"Mom, Dad."

"Bree, Zack."

and I greeted them

there's still food left for you,"

already eaten," Chris replied before turning to me. "Are you hungry?

eaten dinner, but at this moment,

you two go upstairs and rest? The household staff will bring you some milk

But as soon as I pushed

already come upstairs. "Maddie, I forgot to mention earlier. We need to clear out Chris' room to make

Maddie and I will be moving out after we get married. Why do we need to

because you're moving out doesn't mean that you won't stay here sometimes, like during the holidays or when it gets too late," Bree scolded him,