Love's Redemption

Redmption 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.

“What’s so funny?” She looked at me with innocent yet wary eyes.

I brushed a stray hair from my cheek. “Even if Chris likes me, he can’t withstand other people’s temptations.”

“Madeline, why are you so harsh with your words?” Jewel snapped, her face turning red.

“Isn’t it true? Ms. Massey, yesterday you ostensibly came to the company to explain things to me. You actually wanted to see Chris, didn’t you?” I realized this at dawn, even though I had slept soundly all night.

Jewel had shown up at the company yesterday, deliberately causing a scene by getting hit by a car as Chris rushed to her side, all in front of everyone. It

was all part of her calculated plan.

Jewel widened her eyes deliberately and shook her head. “How can you think

of me like that?”

“Then explain why Chris showed up at the cafe yesterday,” I pressed.

Jewel fell silent for a moment, a flicker of embarrassment evident in her eyes

at being caught out.

“Jewel, if you want to be with 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?” Jewel looked genuinely surprised.

I added, “All thanks to you.

“Oh, by 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,

extending my phone toward her. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Jewel’s expression turned sour. “I don’t have money on my phone.”

I found that hard to believe and somewhat unexpected.

“Madeline, ever since lan’s accident, no one’s been giving me money. That’s why I’m using Chris‘ card,” Jewel explained pitifully.

While I wasn’t sure if her excuse was true or not, pressing her for money would make me seem callous.

“Well, forget it then.” I took back my phone.

“Let’s do this instead!” Jewel stopped me. “I’ll follow you on Instagram, and I’ll transfer you the money later.”

“It’s fine.”

“Please, I insist,” Jewel insisted, pulling out her phone and opening the QR

Scanner.

Seeing her determination, I realized something and opened my phone for her to scan. As she sent me a follow request, I couldn’t help but comment, “Jewel, are you adding me on Instagram just to post things to upset me?”

Jewel’s gaze flickered briefly befo they dimmed. “Madeline, don’t assume

that I’m such a malicious person.”

“Let’s hope you don’t give me reasons to let this malicious view of you come true,” I warned as I put away my phone and walked away.