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.

in a frail voice, "Lucky? Ian

began to fall immediately after

was taken aback. How did

name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't

eat alone like this," Jewel murmured as she took the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions are all over the place because of the pregnancy.

out and held onto her. "You're worrying about something you don't have to. We already ordered

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 froze mid-action,

there's

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

me with one hand

treats you

he be good to if not me?" I replied, putting the fish in my mouth. After a moment, I added, "It would be a problem if

subtle exchange between them wouldn't have been so evident

how far along are you

you don't eat your foie gras soon, it will get cold, and the texture

tell he was trying to stop

he had assured me the child wasn't

a hidden secret about the child or he was too

was

texture is already

my appetite after learning that he had brought

looked at me sharply when he sensed my change in tone. I

had when we first entered the

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

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

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

I didn't think it

by others, especially now that she's