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.

whisper in a frail voice, "Lucky?

to fall immediately after her

was taken aback. How did

he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't think too

lan were here, I wouldn't have to eat alone like this," Jewel murmured as she took the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions are all over the place because of the pregnancy. I don't want to spoil the mood. I

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

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

glanced at Chris and then said considerately, "Chris, there's no need

took my plate, picked a piece of fish, and carefully removed the bones for me. I remembered the time I got a

hand and offering me a sweet treat with

you so well."

good to 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 it, Mrs. Goodwin?" Jewel glanced at Chris again and softly replied,

have been so evident if

you in your

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

tell he was trying to stop me from asking

he had assured me the child wasn't his.

the child or he

was his

the texture is already off,"

learning that he

he sensed my change in tone. I returned

warm and happy atmosphere we had when we first entered the restaurant was gone. Indeed, three's a

juice were served. The waiter politely asked, "Would you like

help me

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

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

"Jewel doesn't trust food handled by others, especially now that she's pregnant and