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.

heard her whisper in a frail voice, "Lucky? Ian has left me and...

began to fall immediately after her

How did a simple conversation lead

heavy as he called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue.

Jewel murmured as she took the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions are all

something you don't have to. We already ordered the

let go of her and was 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 serve Mrs. Goodwin." Chris

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

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

was always like this-hitting me with one hand and offering

treats you so well." Jewel

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

between them wouldn't have been

along are you in your pregnancy?"

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

trying to stop me from

assured me the child wasn't his.

hidden secret about the child or he was too concerned about this

was his

now, the texture is

after learning that he had brought foie gras to

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

atmosphere we had when we first entered the restaurant was gone.

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

help me cut it? You've done it before; you

Let's not trouble Chris, especially

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

doesn't trust food handled by others, especially now