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.

forgotten that there was someone out there who looked just like

comes from within, not just from

too. Then, he quietly opened the

massaging the woman on the bed. When she noticed us, she stood up right

take a break now. We'll call you

giving me a quick look, probably because of

who take care of her when you're not here?" I asked, trying to

can't be here all the time," he said, setting the fruit on the table and

spread out over the pillow. Her eyes

beautiful, like Sleeping Beauty from the fairytale. The tear-shaped mole on her cheek made her look even

the woman in the bed and spoke quietly, "She's amazing. She skipped grades

"If it hadn't been for that accident, she'd probably be the youngest professor by

happened? Was it an

right away. After a long pause,

guilt was obvious. It was clear that