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?

fall immediately

was taken aback. How did a simple

as he called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don't think too

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

about something you

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,

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

was always like this-hitting me with one hand

treats you

in my mouth. After a moment, I added, "It would be

wouldn't have been so evident if I were

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

Jewel could respond, Chris interrupted, "Maddie, if you don't eat your foie gras soon, it will get cold,

could tell he was trying to stop

he had assured me the child wasn't his.

was a hidden secret about the child or

I was

is

my appetite after learning that he had brought foie

he sensed my change in tone. I returned

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

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

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

slicing services. Let's not

"Sorry, Madeline. I didn't think it

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