Chapter 857

"I didn't think you'd show up," Jewel said. "So, why did you want to see me?" I studied her, thinking about our past. Some of the memories had faded, but one thing remained clear—she had altered the course of my life. Without her, Chris and I might have tied the knot by now, and we could have a toddler crawling around. "Madeline, have you been to the Goodwin residence recently? Have you seen the child?" Jewel's question caught me off guard. The child had once been Jewel's pawn, but after serving her purpose, she was abandoned. She didn't even spare the baby a glance and hadn't seen her in over a year. Now, out of the blue, Jewel was asking about her. "I've seen the child. She's doing well," I replied truthfully. Jewel nodded and smiled. "I suppose she is doing well without a mother." I couldn't help but mock her. "Stop making excuses for your irresponsibility. What's your point? Don't tell me you're planning to swoop in now and declare yourself the kid's mother?" Jewel sneered