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? Ian

to fall immediately

taken aback. How did

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

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

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

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

glanced at Chris and then said considerately, "Chris, there's

took my plate, picked a piece of fish, and carefully removed 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

was always like this-hitting me with one hand and

you so well."

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

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

are you in your pregnancy?" I

don't eat your foie gras

trying

assured me the child wasn't his. Why wasn't

was a hidden secret about the child or he was

I was his

is already off," I

lost my appetite after learning that he had brought

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

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

The waiter politely asked, "Would you like the foie gras sliced,

at Chris. "Chris, could you help me cut it? You've done it before; you

Goodwin," I spoke up again. "The restaurant offers slicing services. Let's not trouble Chris, especially since he is busy with helping me debone

her lip. "Sorry, Madeline. I

food handled by others, especially now that she's pregnant