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.

She looked at

brushed a stray hair from my cheek. "Even if Chris likes me, he can't withstand other people's

harsh with your words?" Jewel snapped, her

things to me. You actually wanted to see Chris, didn't you?" I realized this at dawn, even though I

at the company yesterday, deliberately causing a scene by getting hit by a car as Chris rushed to her side, all in front of

of her calculated

widened her eyes deliberately and shook her head. "How can

of me like that?"

explain why Chris showed up at the

a flicker of embarrassment evident in

at being caught out.

Chris, do it on your own merits. Don't step on me to boost yourself up. Also..." I paused. "Chris and I have already broken up." "What?"

"All

the way, I paid for the foie gras that night. If we're going Dutch, you owe me a third. Or if you want to cover Chris' share too, that works," I said,

turned sour. "I don't have money on my

to believe

been giving me money. That's why I'm

true or not, pressing her for money would make