Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 16

"Madeline, please don't misunderstand."

Jewel's words made me want to laugh.

Thinking about what she said while choosing bed linens earlier, it seemed she implicitly considered Chris her boyfriend,

"Is this for Chris?" I asked, looking at the bed linens that she had chosen. It was the blue-gray color that Chris used to like. But things had changed since then. Under my influence, he now preferred brighter colors.

Jewel bit her lip, hesitated for a few seconds, and then shook her head. "No, please don't misunderstand. I'm buying this for my brother."

As I couldn't be bothered with her games, I asked directly, "Is Chris going to live with you now?"

He had said that he couldn't let anything happen to Jewel's child, so it made sense for him to keep an eye on her at all hours of the day.

"Madeline, how can you say that?" Jewel looked visibly agitated.

"You're buying him bedding, Jewel. How am I supposed to interpret that?" I mocked,

"Madeline, you're too jealous. Chris won't like this about you," Jewel retorted, which only made me laugh.

so funny?" She looked at me with innocent yet wary

from my cheek. "Even if Chris likes me, he can't withstand other

why are you so harsh with your

explain things to me. You actually wanted to see Chris, didn't you?"

getting hit by a car as Chris rushed

part of

shook her head. "How can

of me like that?"

why Chris showed up at

silent for a moment, a flicker of embarrassment evident

at being caught out.

it on your own merits. Don't step on me to boost yourself

added, "All

we're going Dutch, you owe me a third. Or if you want to cover Chris' share too,

don't have money on my

that hard to believe and somewhat

no one's been giving me money. That's why I'm using Chris' card," Jewel explained

excuse was true or not, pressing her for money would make me