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 me with innocent yet wary

my cheek. "Even if Chris likes

your words?" Jewel snapped, her face turning

You actually wanted to

yesterday, deliberately causing a scene by getting hit by a car as

of her calculated

widened her eyes deliberately and shook her head. "How

of me like that?"

explain why Chris showed up at

silent for a moment, a flicker of embarrassment evident in

at being caught out.

me to boost yourself up. Also..." I paused. "Chris and I

added, "All thanks

a third. Or if you want to cover Chris'

"I don't have money on my

that hard to believe

giving me

if her excuse was true or not, pressing her