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 has left me and...

fall immediately

was taken aback. How did a simple conversation

called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't think too much. You shouldn't cry so much.

wouldn't have to eat alone like this," Jewel murmured as she took the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions

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

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

and then said considerately, "Chris, there's no need to serve me. I

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 I got a fishbone stuck in my throat. Ever since then, Chris always removed the bones for me

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

you so well."

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

subtle exchange between them wouldn't have been so evident if

you in your pregnancy?" I

don't eat your foie gras soon, it will

he was trying to

he had assured me the child wasn't his. Why wasn't I

there was a hidden secret about the child or he was too concerned

was

now, the texture is

appetite after learning that he had brought foie gras to Kewel

sensed my change in tone. I returned

had when we first entered the restaurant was

Jewel's foie gras dessert and juice were served. The waiter politely asked,

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

"The restaurant offers slicing services. Let's not trouble Chris, especially since he is busy

I didn't think it through. I'll

food handled by others,