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?

take care of Jewel..." Chris' voice trembled, and so did his hand that was hanging by

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

saw him this way. "I didn't mean anything else. I just

because she's pregnant that she 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

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

"Okay, I understand."

urgent sound of wheels squeaking

I saw 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 pulled

reminded me of the time shortly after I had arrived at the

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

had truly fallen for

was still racing, and it was because

else, and nuzzled my face against

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

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

awake, sitting on the couch watching TV without speaking

it, and she said that after being married for so long and seeing

parents used to be passionately in love when they were

what

"Mom, Dad."

"Bree, Zack."

and I greeted

eaten? If not, there's still food left for you," Bree informed

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

dinner, but at this moment, I

and rest? The household staff will bring you some

it, I went upstairs. But as soon as I pushed open the door, I froze and turned to Chris. He was

back downstairs, Bree had already come upstairs. "Maddie, I forgot to mention earlier. We need to clear out Chris' room

married. Why do we need to prepare a shared

like during the holidays or when it gets too late," Bree scolded him, then took him to