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

tears began to fall immediately after her

did a simple conversation lead

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

took the tissue from Chris and wiped her eyes.

something you don't have to. We already ordered the food. Try the grilled fish

interrupted, "Chris, you should use the serving utensils, not your own fork, to serve

"Chris, there's no need

I remembered the

always like this-hitting me with one hand

Chris treats you

I added, "It would be a problem if he treated others

wouldn't have been so

Goodwin, how far along are you in your

Chris interrupted, "Maddie, if you don't eat your foie gras soon, it will get cold, and the

wasn't stupid; I could tell he was trying to stop me from

he had assured me the child wasn't

a hidden secret about the child or he was

I was his

the texture is already off,"

that he had brought foie gras to

in tone. I returned his gaze, and

first entered the restaurant was gone. Indeed,

foie gras dessert and juice were served. The waiter

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

offers slicing services. Let's not trouble Chris, especially

suddenly bit her lip. "Sorry, Madeline. I didn't think it through. I'll do it

food handled by others, especially now that