Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Charles stopped and looked at me with surprise.

I realized I might have overstepped, so I quickly added, "I didn't mean anything bad. I just..."

"It's fine," Charles interrupted. "Before she got sick, she was full of energy and loved making friends. She'd be happy to see you," he said, still not looking at me, seeming almost like he was talking to himself. Seeing him like this made me feel sad.

"Madeline, come with me," he said, then started walking again.

As I followed him, I suddenly felt how heavy his burden had to be, like he was carrying too much.

Charles took me to a rehabilitation ward that looked almost as fancy as the VIP ward. The place was really nice, which meant that it was expensive. It was clear that the woman lying here came from a wealthy family.

Charles hesitated at the door, seeming like he wanted to say something.

Thinking that he might be having second thoughts, I quickly said, "If it's not a good time, we can skip this."

"Madeline, she really does look a lot like you... just thinner now," he finally said.

there was someone out there who looked just like

smiled softly. "Real beauty comes

gave a slight smile too. Then, he quietly opened

a blue uniform, gently massaging the woman

call you if we need anything," Charles

a quick look, probably because of how much I looked like the woman lying

not here?" I asked, trying to break the heavy silence in the

downcast. "Yeah, I have to work, so I can't be here all the time,"

saw the woman lying there. Her skin was so pale that it was almost see-through, and her hair was spread out over the pillow. Her eyes were gently closed, and her lips were slightly open. She didn't look like she was in a coma. She just

beautiful, like Sleeping Beauty from the fairytale. The tear-shaped mole on

woman in the bed and spoke quietly, "She's amazing. She skipped grades and got into Beckham University without taking any exams. By 26, she was

sad. "If it hadn't been for that accident, she'd probably

happened? Was

right away. After a long pause, he said,

that this was really weighing