Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

"Maddie, Mr. Gildon would like to speak for you." Kara Spraggins, who had come with me, held out the phone.

I had underestimated Chris' persistence. In this situation, I had no choice but to take the phone. I spoke very formally. "Mr. Gildon, what can I do for you?"

"Maddie." Chris' hoarse voice was filled with guilt. "Why did you leave so early today? I came home but couldn't give you a lift."

Realizing he wasn't talking about work, I walked a bit further away. "I went out for breakfast."

"I'm sorry. I couldn't leave last night. That's why I didn't come home."

My heart grew cold, a sarcastic smirk on my lips. "Why couldn't you leave?"

When he didn't answer me, I held my breath and gave him an out. "Couldn't find a nurse?"

He said hesitantly, "Yes."

I didn't say anything more.

Chris continued, "Maddie, when will you be done? I'll come pick you up, and we can have lunch together."

We hadn't had lunch together in a long time.

According to what Yerick said last night, Chris had been spending his time with Jewel.

Was he suddenly asking me out of guilt for leaving me halfway last night, or did he suddenly have a conscience?

I didn't know, and I didn't want to tire my brain cells guessing. I replied indifferently, "I'm not sure. It might not even be finished by noon. Besides, don't you have something to do every day at noon now?" "Maddie." Chris must have caught my sarcasm. He called out my name sternly, only to pause for two seconds before he said, "Don't overthink it."

He left me in bed when we were in the middle of doing it last night. What else could I be overthinking about?

Not wanting to discuss personal matters during working hours, I told him, "I'm busy right now. I'm hanging up if there's nothing else."

He didn't say anything, so I hung up the phone.

fieldwork included discussions between partners and on-site inspections. After finishing the discussions by ten, Kara and I

overseeing all the projects. Now, 80% of it was complete. I had to check on-site to see if there were any discrepancies between the finished work

the drawings closely,

making my rounds, my feet were swollen, and my toes were aching. I found a place to sit and

noticed something was off. "Maddie, are you now feeling

hurt/" I admitted. If I weren't on site, I would have taken off my shoes to give my feet a

looked at my face. "Maddie,

pointed at her

Besides, no matter how well a woman

getting my period soon." I gave her a random excuse and took out my phone, pretending

was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up the pretense if

Thinking it was Kara, I didn't pay

my shoes, placed my foot on his knee, and started massaging

say anything; my throat

"Are you still

trying to

didn't let go as he continued to massage my foot. "It won't happen again," he quietly

The custom cufflinks on his shirt sparkled in the

the people walking by. Some girls passing by showed envious looks, whispering about finally seeing a real-life version of

last night melted away

so lucky!" Kara mouthed to me from

I kept holding onto last night's incident, it would make me seem petty, as

for

appetite even though I was feeling a

have pan-seared foie gras; it's really good," Chris suggested while helping

in, his soapy scent wafting past my nose, making my breath hitch. Sensing my reaction, he smiled, buckled my

I couldn't answer him.

I always felt so pathetic-Chris

of Jewel, I asked, "How is Jewel

fine.