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.

voice, "Lucky? Ian has left

fall immediately after her

aback. How did a

Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't

and wiped her

to stand up, Chris reached out and held onto her. "You're worrying about something

go of her and was about to place a piece of fish on her plate with his fork when I interrupted, "Chris,

"Chris, there's no need

piece of fish, and carefully removed the bones for me. I remembered the time I got a fishbone stuck in my

like this-hitting me with one hand and

treats you so

"It would be a problem if he treated others the

subtle exchange between them wouldn't have

far along are you in your pregnancy?" I

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

trying to stop me

child wasn't his. Why wasn't I allowed

the child

was his

now, the texture is already off,"

appetite after learning that he had brought foie gras to

in tone. I returned his gaze, and we silently

we first

Jewel's foie gras dessert and juice were served. The waiter politely asked, "Would you like the foie gras

declined, then looked at Chris. "Chris, could you help me cut it? You've done it before; you know just the right

offers slicing services. Let's not

lip. "Sorry, Madeline. I didn't

asserted. "Jewel doesn't trust food handled by others,