chapter 253

Chapter 253

He liked it, so naturally, I loved it, too. How could it feel forced?

Bryant’s deep eyes sparkled intensely. Tm pot unwilling, either Come on, eat up

My heart ached for him. “You know your stomach has been acting up.”

“You’ve been putting up with it for three years. Can’t I handle it just this once? You’re underestimating me.” He said earnestly

I lowered my peze. “Fine, if you insist”

After dinner, he offered to do the dishes, leaving me guilt–free to continue my work.

It was different with Mark. If Mark did the dishes, I’d feel a twinge of quilt since we were just friends. But with Bryant, I’d taken care of him for three years. His cooking and doing the dishes didn’t seem too much to ask.

“Got any painkillers?” I was deep into planning the style for our company’s first batch of new products when Bryant, rubbing his stomach, made his way to the couch beside me.

I almost chuckled, getting the pills and placing them before him. “So much for not underestimating you, huh?”

His stomach issues started when he first took over the Ferguson Group. Facing resistance at every turn, he’d often skip meals to settle shareholder disputes and manage his team, not to mention the endless social drinking on an empty stomach. It was a recipe for disaster.

Bryant looked into my eyes. “You’ve

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I asked. “In what w

His lips pursed slightly. “You used to panic seeing me in pain.”

I paused before replying, “Back then, love clouded my judgment.”

Seeing him unwell, I would scramble for any home remedy I could find, brewing stomach–soothing broths daily. I’d avoid flaunting our relationship before the board, waiting instead for him to come home and drink it

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm, pulling me close. “And now?”

Caught off guard, I fell into his embrace, his familiar scent overwhelming me. The warmth of his body seared my skin, and my heart skipped a beat. Tension spread between us.

I scrambled up. “Now, um, I’m more inclined to ask, shouldn’t you be heading home after your medicine? It’s getting late.”

It couldn’t go on like that.

I reminded myself inwardly, Jane, don’t fall for his traps again.”

Bryant’s expression visibly fell, and he fell silent.

“Drink up: You’ll be fine.” I pointed to the medicine and turned to leave for my room,

Just before I entered, his voice tightened, “Can I, maybe not leave tonight?”

“The couch is all yours.” After saying that, I went straight to my room.

Driving with an upset stomach wasn’t safe, and if something happened, it’d somehow be my fault. It was too late to ask Kevin to pick him up.

aintly crossed my mind. Right, I wasn’t being soft–hearted. It wasn’t because I was soft hearted. As I drifted off to sleep, the thought faintly

The next day, stepping out of my room, I noticed the tall figure sprawled on the couch, belatedly realizing what had transpired the night before. The memones of the previous night slowly pieced together.

The winter sun streamed in, covering him with a blanket, his body curled up on the couch, breathing softly, looking unexpectedly harmless.

But that didn’t last long.

His phone suddenly rang, and he woke up groggily and answered the call after a glance. It must have been Kevin, and Bryant hung up after a few words.

Bryant checked the time, sat up, and looked toward me, somewhat forlornly. “I can sleep so peacefully only when I’m close to you.”

“But,” I met his gaze, my voice merciless, “I’ve found that only by keeping my distance from you can I feel at peace.”

His fingers twitched as he watched me, his voice still hoarse from sleep, finishing his thought. “Do you… still hate me?”

“It’s not that bad.” It wasn’t about hate. I just wanted a more peaceful life. I pursed my lips. “Are you free today? We should go get our divorce papers.

Chapter 254