Chapter 228
Ten years ago, Uriah’s wife died in a tragic accident.
Since then, he had moved out of the Malcolm household, retreating into the solitude of his run-down clinic. His temper had grown increasingly eccentric, the edges of his personality sharpened by time and grief.
The clinic sat in a forgotten corner of the city, surrounded by crumbling old buildings. Hardly anyone came seeking treatment. And those few who did often left in a huff, driven away by his prickly disposition.
For an entire year, not a single patient crossed his threshold. But he didn’t care. Treating people had never been the point of coming here. He was simply keeping watch over the place that still held the memories of her.
Still, a gift like his could never truly be buried. Not even in a place like this.
Word of his legendary skills began to spread again, quiet and insistent like water slipping through stone.
Then he met Sharon.
He had lived a long life, met all kinds of people, and seen through countless masks. But never had he come across someone like her-so determined, so quietly resilient.
Of course. Without that steel inside her, how else could she have tolerated a husband like that for so long?
She often came to the clinic when she had free time. Always brought him handmade snacks.
But Uriah wasn’t the kind who accepted gifts with a smile out of politeness. If something didn’t taste good, he’d tell her flat-out: not even a dog could eat this.
Sharon never got upset. Instead, she would ask calmly, “What flavors do you like? I’ll try something different next time.”
He didn’t hold back. Told her everything he liked and disliked in one breath.
Eventually, she made a small notebook just for him, neatly listing all his preferences.
Over time, she started getting it right-baking things he actually enjoyed.
When the weather turned cold and she knitted gloves for Theo, she made an extra pair for Uriah too.
To Sharon, he was like the grandfather she never had. Sharp-tongued, yes, but with a soft heart beneath it.
And he knew she was genuinely kind to him.
So before he returned to his family, he’d planned to give her a parting gift.
He hadn’t expected Carter to show up before he had the chance.
A gift walking in on its own-why not take it?
If he didn’t teach them a lesson, he thought, he wasn’t worthy of his own name.
Sharon glanced toward the front of the clinic, then lowered her voice. “Mr. Malcolm… is Kelly really terminally ill?”
Uriah chuckled. “Of course not. Look how lively she is. Does she look like someone with a terminal illness?”
Sharon didn’t look surprised.
In a quieter tone, she asked, “Then why didn’t you expose her? Why go along with the lie?”
Uriah sighed. “Those two idiots are completely blinded by lust. That woman just needs to squeeze out a few tears, and they’re done for. No matter what I say, they wouldn’t believe it.”
1/2
Chapter
Uriah had never made life easy for anyone.
Back when Sharon first met him, she’d suffered more than a little under his scrutiny.
Now it was lunchtime. The three of them sat at the table-Sharon, Matty, and Uriah-eating together.
Kelly stood off to the side, alone, sorting through medicinal herbs.
“Aah!” A thorn from one of the dried plants sliced across her finger. She flinched in pain, the sting sharp enough to bring tears
to her eyes.
But none of the three at the table so much as turned their heads. No one asked if she was alright.
Matty calmly picked up a dish and placed some on Sharon’s plate. “Sharon, this dish is really good. You should have more.”
Sharon gave her a gentle smile. “Thank you. You should eat plenty, too.”
Matty straightened her back, full of resolve. “Yeah! I need to eat a lot. I still have to help Mr. Malcolm pick herbs this afternoon!” Kelly’s fingers curled around the edge of the table. No one acknowledged her. She bit her lip.
Finally, she forced herself to walk over to them, her voice soft and pitiful. “I… I cut my finger. It really hurts…”
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