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.

almost forgotten that there was someone out there

softly. "Real beauty comes from

a slight smile too. Then,

massaging the woman on the bed. When she

now. We'll call you if we need anything," Charles said

and left, but not before giving me a quick look, probably because of how much I looked like the

care of her when you're not here?" I asked, trying to break the heavy

downcast. "Yeah, I have to work, so I can't be here all the time," he said, setting the fruit on the table and then sitting

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 looked like

The tear-shaped mole on her

grades and got into Beckham University without taking any exams. By 26, she was already our

"If it hadn't been for that

"What happened?

a long pause, he said, "It was my

was obvious. It was clear that