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 trembled, and so did his hand that was

he mentioned lan's death, he always seemed emotional. This

heart sank a bit when I saw him this way. "I didn't mean anything else. I

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

see what I witnessed just now happen

"Okay, I understand."

when we heard the urgent sound of wheels squeaking against the

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

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

and carried me to the infirmary. That was the first time I

was when I had truly fallen

this moment, his heartbeat was still

and nuzzled my face

I'll just tell Jewel," Chris said as he released me,

going into the ward, I waited outside the door. I didn't hear

on the couch watching

married for so long and seeing each other

in love when they were young. Alas, their

this was what

"Mom, Dad."

"Bree, Zack."

and I greeted them

not, there's still food left for you," Bree informed us

me. "Are you hungry? Would you like

had hardly eaten dinner, but at this

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

that smile didn't sit right with me. However, without dwelling on it, I went upstairs. But

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

be moving out after we get married. Why do

out doesn't mean that you won't stay here sometimes, like during the holidays or when it gets too late," Bree scolded him, then took him to my