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.

frail voice, "Lucky?

began to fall immediately after

aback. How did a simple conversation lead

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

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

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

let go of her and was about to place a piece of fish on her plate with his fork when I interrupted, "Chris, you

considerately, "Chris, there's no need

me. I remembered the time

was always like this-hitting me with one hand and offering me a sweet treat with the

Chris treats you so well." Jewel

a moment, I added, "It would be a problem if he treated others the same way, wouldn't

have been so evident

are you in your pregnancy?" I changed the

interrupted, "Maddie, if you don't eat your foie gras

stupid; I could tell he was trying to

had assured me the child wasn't his. Why

child or he was too concerned about this

I was

now, the texture is

appetite after learning that he had brought foie gras to

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

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

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

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

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

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

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