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

fall immediately after her

aback. How did a simple conversation lead to

was heavy as he called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't think too much.

wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions are all over the place because of the

"You're worrying about something you don't have to.

his fork when I interrupted, "Chris, you should use the serving utensils, not your own fork, to serve Mrs. Goodwin." Chris froze mid-action, and the

there's no

plate instead. Then, he took my plate, picked a piece of fish, and carefully removed the bones for me. I

like this-hitting me with one hand and offering me

treats you so

if not me?" I replied, putting the fish in my mouth. After a moment, I added, "It would be a problem if he treated others the same way, wouldn't

subtle exchange between them wouldn't have been so

you in your pregnancy?" I changed the

you don't eat your foie gras soon, it will get

tell he was trying to stop me from asking Jewel about

wasn't his.

there was a hidden secret about the child or he was too concerned about

was

the texture is

appetite after learning that he had brought foie

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

warm and happy atmosphere we had when we first entered the restaurant was

The waiter politely

declined, then looked at Chris. "Chris, could you help me cut

offers slicing services. Let's not trouble Chris,

bit her lip. "Sorry, Madeline. I didn't

asserted. "Jewel doesn't trust food handled by others, especially now that she's pregnant and has to be