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.

her whisper in a frail voice, "Lucky?

fall

aback. How did

Chris' voice was heavy as he called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't think too much. You shouldn't cry so much. It's not good for the

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

worrying about something you don't have to. We already ordered the food. Try the grilled fish

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

there's no need to serve

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 we ate fish

one hand

Chris treats you

my mouth. After a moment, I added, "It would be a problem if he treated others the same way, wouldn't it, Mrs.

exchange between them wouldn't have been so evident if I were

are you in your pregnancy?"

eat your foie gras soon, it will get cold, and the texture will be

tell he was trying to stop me from asking

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

hidden secret about the child or he was too

I was

the texture is already off," I

after learning that he had brought foie gras to Kewel

sensed my change in tone. I

and happy atmosphere we had when we first entered

The waiter politely asked, "Would

could you help me cut it? You've done

again. "The restaurant offers slicing services. Let's not trouble Chris,

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

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