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?

gone. Before he died, he held my hand and asked me to take care of Jewel..." Chris' voice trembled, and

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

didn't mean anything else. I just noticed

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

what I witnessed just now happen again. I didn't want to

"Okay, I understand."

when we heard the urgent sound of wheels squeaking against

a group of people pushing a stretcher toward us in haste. Just as I was about to move aside, I heard Chris utter in a low voice, "Watch out." He then

of the time shortly after I had arrived at the Gildon estate, when I had attended

had rushed over and held me. He had then reassured me and carried me to the infirmary. That was the first time I had heard his heartbeat

had truly fallen

was still racing, and it

about anything else, and nuzzled my face against Chris' chest. "Let's

Chris said as he released me, kissing

into the ward, I waited outside the door. I didn't hear what Chris said to Jewel, but when he came out, I heard

on the couch

said that after being married for so long and seeing each other every day, they didn't have anything much to talk

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

this was what love eventually

"Mom, Dad."

"Bree, Zack."

and I

still food left for

to me. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to

had hardly eaten dinner, but at this

upstairs and rest? The household staff will bring you some

went upstairs. But as soon as I pushed open

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

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

during the