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.

voice, "Lucky? Ian has

to fall

did a simple conversation lead

Jewel a tissue.

the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions are all over the place because of the pregnancy. I

Chris reached out and held onto her. "You're worrying about something you

was about to place a piece of fish on her plate with his fork when I interrupted, "Chris, you should use the

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

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

one hand

you so

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

subtle exchange between them wouldn't have been so

how far along are you

respond, Chris interrupted, "Maddie, if you don't eat your foie gras soon, it

stupid; I could tell he was trying

assured me the child wasn't his. Why

child or he was too

I was his

is already

that he had brought foie

sharply when he sensed my change in tone. I returned his

first

juice were served. The waiter politely asked, "Would you

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

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

Madeline. I didn't

by others, especially now that she's pregnant and