Love's Redemption



I never imagined that he lived such a hard life behind closed doors.

"But lan was only human. He got tired too. I'd catch him sneaking out in the middle of the night to smoke. And it broke my heart to see that every time. I knew it was my fault that he was so stressed," Jewel said, shaking her head slightly.

"I wanted to leave him—not just for my sake and not because I didn't love him anymore. It was because I loved him so much that I couldn't stand to see him so worn out."

Jewel's words painted her in a new light.

"Well, he's not tired anymore. And he never will be again," I muttered under my breath.

Jewel caught the irony in my voice.

"Madeline, you've never lived a day in my shoes. You'll never understand what it's like," she said loudly, almost screaming.

She looked me in the eye. After a moment, her anger slowly faded.

"Madeline, as for lan's death, I swear I'd never meant to hurt lan. I just wanted him to see me betray him, so he'd finally leave me on his own. I wanted to set him free."

"The car accident wasn't your doing?" I asked in a low voice.

"No, it wasn't. lan was too good to me. I'm not a monster. How could I ever hurt him?" Jewel shook her head vigorously.

"But in the end, he still died because of you."

I didn't let her off the hook, keeping her weighed down by the guilt of lan's death.

Jewel's eyes faltered as she looked at me before lowering her head. "I'll pay him back in the next life."

"You're so evil that I bet if lan meets you in the next life, he'll probably run the other way."

I didn't hold back as I confronted her, with each word more cutting than the last. If she wasn't pregnant, I might have stepped out of the car and given her a few slaps.

I remembered Chris telling me that his best friend, lan, was devoted to his loved ones. He would choose his wife over his life. Ian had treated Jewel like a goddess, and Chris had never seen anyone dote on their wife the way lan did.

Now, hearing Jewel's words, all I felt was heartache for lan. He had been too naive.

Loving someone was one thing. But when that love became unbalanced, it would only lead to destruction.

Jewel was lucky to have had lan and his love in this lifetime. However, her greed had cost her his life.

"Madeline, know I'm not a good

person. But I was desperate. Now that you've found your own happiness, can't you just give me a break? Can you please bring Chris back to me?"

Jewel's focus returned to Chris in the end.

"Hasn't Chris already set everything up for you? You've got a place to dive and plenty of money to spend, Does it really matter if he comes back to you?"

I couldn't understand why she was so desperate to see Chris.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Jewel pressed her lips together. Then, she said, "Madeline, having a place to live and money to spend isn't everything."

I got it now. She wanted to be happy and loved.

"Jewel, you're quite greedy."

I didn't hold back my sarcasm.

Jewel placed her hand on her belly.

"Who doesn't want a complete and happy life? The Goodwin family doesn't want to acknowledge this. child. I wanted to get an abortion, but Chris wouldn't let me. At least he has to come back so my child can have a father."

Hearing that, I couldn't help thinking that Chris was dumber than a bag of rocks.

He got involved with her for a fleeting thrill. And now, he was probably stuck with her for life.

Despite that, he deserved it.

"Madeline, please bring Chris back to me. I know you can reach him," Jewel insisted, completely sure of herself.

I wasn't sure where her confidence came from. But she was right-Chris wouldn't answer anyone's calls except mine.

"Ms. Massey, you said I'm the only one who can reach him. What does that tell you?" I asked mockingly. Jewel's face was tinged with embarrassment

"I know you're the only one on his mind, but I don't care. I just want him. Having him is enough for me," she replied.