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,

to fall immediately after her

did a simple conversation lead to

voice was heavy as he called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't

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

worrying about something you don't have to. We already

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."

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

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

this-hitting me with one hand

treats you so well."

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

between them wouldn't have been so

how far along are you in your pregnancy?" I changed

don't eat your foie

stupid; I could tell he was trying to stop me from asking Jewel

me the child wasn't his. Why wasn't I allowed to

hidden secret about the child or he was too concerned

was

now, the texture is already off,"

learning that he had brought foie gras to Kewel

when he sensed my change in tone. I returned his gaze, and

and happy atmosphere we had when we first entered the restaurant was

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

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

services. Let's not trouble Chris, especially since he is busy with helping me debone the

lip. "Sorry, Madeline. I didn't think it

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