Niamh couldn’t miss the subtle note of hope in Jonathan’s voice.
She smiled, brushing it off with a casual reply.
“Because I have a conscience. I’m not about to argue with someone who’s unwell
As she spoke, she reached into the grocery bag and pulled out a container of soup.
“That’s it? Just your conscience?”
Niamh’s hand paused for a moment.
“Niamh, is it really that difficult for you to admit you still care about me?” Jonathan suddenly reached out and took her hand.
This time, his palm was warm.
Jonathan half–expected her to jerk her hand away immediately.
But Niamh didn’t.
“Jonathan…” She shot him a sideways glance, her eyes as calm and still as a winter lake.
Jonathan, on the other hand, felt a sudden wave of restlessness.
“We were together for years, Jonathan. You should know me by now. Think about it–three years ago, would I have shown up at your hospital room with some takeout soup from the diner across the street for your dinner?”
As the words left her mouth, Jonathan’s grip on her hand loosened, his palm suddenly cold and clammy.
A deep frown creased his brow, his face darkening with frustration.
She was right.
Three years ago, Niamh would have cooked for him herself, no matter how late it was. She’d have handpicked the freshest ingredients and made sure he had the most nourishing meal.
Jonathan had been sick before during their three years of marriage. Every single time, she made him homemade soup.
When Jonathan let go, Niamh poured the takeout soup into a disposable bowl and handed it over.
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Chapter 419
“I don’t want this.”
Without a word, Niamh took the bowl back.
“Then order something yourself,” she said.
Jonathan shot her a frosty look and reached out again.
Niamh handed the bowl over once more.
Jonathan took a spoonful. The soup from the little diner tasted bland, almost bitter, nothing like the comforting flavors of Niamh’s cooking.
He found himself missing her food terribly.
Back when he could eat her meals, he never imagined there’d come a day when he’d have to go without.
After just one bite, he put the bowl aside.
He didn’t order anything else, either.
So, he ended up going hungry the whole night.
Niamh didn’t seem to care.
She stayed to look after Jonathan, but only in the most detached, professional way. She was no longer the devoted wife who doted on him without complaint. She was just a caretaker now, nothing more.
Jonathan couldn’t help noticing how businesslike she’d become, but he still clung to the hope of finding some trace that she still cared.
Today, Niamh showed up at the hospital with an enormous three–tiered lunchbox.
Jonathan’s eyes lit up at once.
He’d been living on takeout for a week, trying a different restaurant every day, but nothing ever truly satisfied.
But today felt different.
The moment he saw that big lunchbox, he started fantasizing about tasting Niamh’s cooking again. He was already hungry long before noon.
But lunchtime came and went, and Niamh never returned.
Two o’clock rolled around. Niamh was still at the tech park.
Elmer worked there.
Chapter 419
“Elmer, you lucky guy–your girlfriend brings you lunch?”
“Is this the legendary homemade lunch from the wife?”
His boss and coworkers teased him, voices dripping with envy.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Elmer protested, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed
him.
“Come on, that’s just what someone would say when he’s still chasing the girl.”
“Face it, Elmer. She’s bringing you lunch. That’s practically a done deal.”
“You’ve got to step up your game, Elmer!”
Elmer could only shake his head and laugh as the teasing continued.
When Niamh returned from washing out the lunchboxes, she noticed everyone in the office giving her knowing, conspiratorial looks.
She’d heard from Lana that Elmer’s project wasn’t going well lately. He’d been working late every night, barely eating, and his stomach was acting up again.
Niamh felt bad for upsetting Elmer recently, so she’d gone out of her way to prepare some gentle, nourishing dishes and brought them to him for lunch.
By the time she finally made it back to the hospital, it was almost three in the afternoon.
