Chapter 688

Hawthorne gently patted Gwyneth's cheek, hoping to rouse her, but she didn't stir at all.

With no other choice, he scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the old wooden bed. He fetched a basin of hot water, wrung out a towel, and carefully wiped her face.

He'd lost count of how many times he'd cared for her like this. Hawthorne had never thought of himself as a particularly attentive man—at least, not until he met her.

Gwyneth was limp as a rag doll, letting him move her as he pleased. Sometimes, the alcohol in her system would make her groan in pain.

He spent the entire afternoon tending to her, brewing tea and coaxing a few sips between her lips, but she could barely swallow any of it.

Resigned, Hawthorne simmered some plain nourishing soup for her in a clay pot. Judging by her condition, she wouldn't wake until the next day.

He longed to stay by her side, but as he glanced around the room, his gaze fell on a sheet of paper carelessly dropped on the floor. Two words, scrawled in thick ink, leapt out at him.

"Divorce."

He felt his blood turn to ice.

Hawthorne looked at the sleeping Gwyneth, an emptiness hollowing out his chest. He closed the window for her and tucked the blanket snugly around her shoulders.

After a moment's hesitation, he stood and left. On his way out, he found the landlady a friendly woman in her forties.

Her husband worked out of town and only came home for the holidays, leaving her to raise their two children alone.

This area was near a scenic spot, and anyone with a bit of business sense had converted their homes into guesthouses for tourists. During holidays, the place was lively with visitors.

Hawthorne slipped her some money, asking her to look after Gwyneth.

The landlady glanced from

the

Hawthorne to the beautiful young woman upstairs and drew her own conclusions. She assumed. Gwyneth must be his secret lover on side after all, that sort of thing happened often enough here. Cóntent belongs to s

Young women, some naïve, some desperate, would end up with older men for a

bit of security, sometimes out of necessity, sometimes because there was no other way.

With her fresh, innocent features, Gwyneth looked more like a recent college graduate than anything else. And Hawthorne-well, with his good looks and air of refinement, what woman wouldn't fall for him?

The landlady was used to these fleeting romances. She didn't mind the money— she'd seen plenty of men like that, and women too. After pocketing the cash, she gave Hawthorne a bright, knowing smile.

Her still-attractive face softened with a hint of flirtation as she reassured him, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Miss Langford."

She watched him leave, unable to help herself from admiring his figure. Most men who came here with mistresses were either balding or unattractive this one was a rare catch. If she were given the choice, she thought, she wouldn't mind being kept by a man like him. For someone like Hawthorne, a woman might even pay for the privilege. s

Gwyneth finally woke from her hangover late the next morning. The room was

filled with the inviting aroma of homemade chicken soup.

She struggled upright, spotting a figure bustling about, ladling the soup into a bowl.

"Miss Langford, you're awake! I made you some soup-come have a bowl while it's hot. The men around here wouldn't dare touch the kind of liquor you did last night. You really can hold your drink!"

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It was only when Gwyneth saw the woman's face that she realized it was the

landlady, not Hawthorne as she'd half-dreamed in her haze.

Dream and reality felt miles apart, and embarrassment crept up on her. "Sorry for the trouble..."

Even after a full night's sleep, her head still throbbed as if someone were driving a spike into her skull. One thing was certain-she'd never drink like that again.

The landlady was all warmth, bringing not only the soup but also a couple of salted eggs to go with it. Newest update provided by Find_Novel(.)net

Gwyneth's heart was warmed by the kindness. She thanked the woman, then tasted the chicken soup. The rich, comforting flavor nearly brought her to tears.