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?

to take care

emotional. This

"I didn't mean anything else. I just noticed how much Jewel

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

just now happen again. I didn't

"Okay, I understand."

had just finished speaking when we heard the urgent sound of wheels squeaking

a group of people pushing a stretcher toward us in haste. Just as I was about to move aside,

echoed loudly in my ears. This sound reminded me of the time shortly after I had arrived at the

me and carried me to the infirmary. That was the first time I had heard his heartbeat sounding so

when I had truly fallen

still racing, and it was because of

closed my eyes, unwilling to think about anything else, and

Chris said as he released me, kissing

I didn't hear what Chris said to Jewel, but when he came

home, his parents were still awake, sitting on the couch

she said that after being married for so long and seeing each other every day,

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

was what

"Mom, Dad."

"Bree, Zack."

I

there's still food left

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

eaten dinner, but at this moment,

rest? The household staff will bring you some

sit right with me. However, without dwelling on it, I went upstairs. But as soon

I forgot to mention earlier. We need to clear out Chris' room to make it your shared bedroom.

moving out after we get married. Why do we need to

that you won't stay here sometimes, like during the holidays or when it