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?

asked me to take care of Jewel..." Chris'

seemed emotional. This wasn't the first

him this way. "I didn't mean anything else. I just noticed how much

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

to see what I witnessed just now happen again.

"Okay, I understand."

urgent sound of wheels squeaking

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

nestled into his embrace, the pounding of his heart echoed loudly in my ears. This sound reminded me of the time shortly

then reassured me and carried me to

had truly fallen for

his heartbeat was still

unwilling to think about anything else, and nuzzled

Chris said as he released me,

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

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

so long and seeing each other every

in love when they were young. Alas, their love settled

this was what

"Mom, Dad."

"Bree, Zack."

and I

you two eaten? If not, there's still

replied before turning to me. "Are you

this moment, I

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

without dwelling on it, I went upstairs. But as soon as I pushed open the door, I froze and

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

after we get married. Why do we need to prepare a shared bedroom here?"

sometimes, like during the holidays or when it gets too late," Bree scolded