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.

in a frail voice, "Lucky? Ian has left me and... our

to fall immediately after

was taken aback. How did a simple

as he called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't think too much. You shouldn't cry so

took the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions are all over

held onto her. "You're worrying about something you don't have to. We already ordered the food. Try the grilled

place a piece of fish on her plate with his fork when I interrupted, "Chris, you should use the serving utensils, not

and then said considerately, "Chris, there's no need to serve me. I can help

bones for me. I remembered the time

one hand and

Chris treats you

putting the fish in my mouth. After a moment, I added, "It would be a problem

wouldn't have

are you in your

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

could tell he was trying to stop me from asking

me the child wasn't his.

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

I was

the texture is

after learning that

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

first entered the restaurant was gone. Indeed, three's a

foie gras dessert and juice were served. The waiter politely asked, "Would you

you help me

not trouble Chris, especially since

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

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