Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

"Join us!" Chris said, without asking for my opinion.

Jewel promptly sat down and looked at the dishes in front of her with a longing expression. "Grilled fish! I've been craving this lately."

"Shall I order you some foie gras as well?" Chris asked without a hint of hesitation.

"And add a dessert, please. Frozen yogurt with strawberry jam. For the drink, I'll have orange juice," Jewel said. She turned to me. "Madeline, would you like some orange juice too?" "It's alright. I'll just have water," I replied, putting the foie gras on my fork into my mouth.

The foie gras was smooth and creamy with a milky scent.

"Chris, is the foie gras you brought me before from this place?"

Jewel's words made me pause mid-chew.

I looked at him and saw a slight discomfort in his expression.

He slowly replied, "Yes."

No wonder he knew the foie gras here was good; he had bought it for someone else many times. Meanwhile, today was my first time having this.

He was doing this out of guilt as a form of compensation.

Suddenly, the foie gras in my mouth lost its flavor. I couldn't swallow it.

"So that's why the smell of the foie gras was so familiar when I passed by here." Jewel smiled at Chris, her eyes filled with a delicate tenderness that seemed to ensnare me, making it hard to breathe. She then turned to me. "Madeline, Chris must bring you here often. That's why he bought the foie gras for me; he knows how good it is."

As if stabbing a knife into my heart wasn't enough, she had to twist it. I felt the full impact of her words.

I looked at Chris. "No, this is the first time. I'm not as lucky as you are, Mrs. Goodwin."

Jewel's smile faltered, and she lowered her gaze.

heard her whisper in a frail voice, "Lucky? Ian has left me

began to fall

aback. How did a simple conversation lead

Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't think too much. You shouldn't cry so much. It's not

wouldn't have to eat alone like this," Jewel murmured as she took the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes.

Chris reached out and held onto her. "You're worrying about something you don't have to. We already ordered

on her plate with his fork when I interrupted,

"Chris, there's no need to

on his plate instead. Then, he took my plate, picked a piece of fish, and carefully removed the bones for me. I remembered the time I got a fishbone stuck in my throat. Ever since then, Chris always removed the bones for me whenever

was always like this-hitting me with one hand and offering me a sweet treat with

Chris treats you

fish in my mouth. After a moment, I added, "It would be a problem if he treated

subtle exchange between them wouldn't have been so evident if

Goodwin, how far along are you

could respond, Chris interrupted, "Maddie, if you don't eat your foie gras soon, it will get cold,

trying to stop me

had assured me the child wasn't his.

there was a hidden secret about the child

I was his

texture is already off,"

my appetite after learning that he had brought foie gras

he sensed my change in tone. I returned his gaze, and we silently confronted

had when we first entered the restaurant was gone. Indeed,

Jewel's foie gras dessert and juice were served. The waiter

me

up again. "The restaurant offers slicing services. Let's not

her lip. "Sorry, Madeline. I didn't think it through. I'll do

others,