Chapter 742

He was right; he clearly couldn't hold a spoon.

"Then never mind." Stewart lowered his hand. "I won't eat. You should go get some rest."

Briony stared at him. "Stewart, you're playing the victim."

Caught, Stewart looked down and cleared his throat awkwardly. "You saw right through me."

Briony's lips thinned. After a moment of silence, she sighed. "Fine. You're still on anti-inflammatories, so you should eat something."

At her words, Stewart's head snapped up, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Sit down," Briony urged. "I'll feed you."

Stewart's brow twitched. He could hardly believe she was actually going to feed him.

He immediately walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

Briony picked up the bowl of plain porridge, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to his lips.

Stewart instantly leaned forward to take it—

Briony's brow furrowed, and she quickly pulled the spoon back.

The man paused, looking at her in confusion.

"You need to blow on it first," she scolded gently. "This was just made; it's very hot."

A low chuckle escaped him. "Alright."

Briony didn't know what he found so funny. She shot him a look before offering the spoon again. This time, Stewart's dark eyes never left her face as he opened his mouth, blew on the porridge as she'd instructed, and then finally accepted the spoonful.

At thirty-four years old, he had never imagined he would experience such treatment in his lifetime. Pride and dignity seemed unimportant now. To be fed by Bryn herself was a moment so precious that, for Stewart, it felt like he could die without regrets.

Briony tried to avoid his gaze, keeping her eyes fixed on the bowl and spoon, working like an assembly-line worker as she fed him mouthful after mouthful of porridge.

Soon, the bowl was empty.

Briony let out a quiet sigh of relief. She placed the empty bowl back on the tray, picked it up, and shot him a quick glance. "Get some rest."

She was about to leave when the man behind her spoke again. "I haven't washed up yet."

Briony paused and turned to look at the perfectly composed man, raising an eyebrow. "Stewart, you don't expect me to brush your teeth for you, do you?"

"That won't be necessary," he said, a smile in his eyes. "I was just wondering if you have any mouthwash."

"I'll have Marlene bring some up for you."

"Okay."

"Anything else you need help with?" Briony asked.

Stewart thought for a moment. "Could you also have Marlene bring me a pair of plastic waterproof gloves?"

Briony's brow furrowed as her eyes swept over his hands. She understood his intention immediately.

She gave

Marlene slight nod. "Alright, I'll tell

bring you an extra-large

pair. With such thick bandages anything smaller wouldn't fit

Stewart looked momentarily abashed before replying in a warm voice, "Okay."

"I'm going downstairs then," Briony said before turning to leave.

Stewart watched her go, his eyes filled with a soft, lingering tenderness.

...

When Briony brought the bowl downstairs, Marlene was cleaning up in the kitchen.

Briony entered and placed the empty bowl in the sink.

Marlene looked at her, a knowing smile in her eyes.

Briony felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Marlene, please don't look at me like that. I'm not used to it."

Marlene chuckled. "I was just noticing how red Ms. Kensington's cheeks are."

Briony subconsciously touched her face. "The herbal medicine Dr. Ellsworth prescribed is supposed to

improve circulation. It's probably just the medicine kicking in."

“Oh, is that so?” Marlene saw through the excuse but didn't press, deciding to give

the young woman some space.

"Stewart needs mouthwash and a pair of extra-large waterproof

gloves Could you take them net

tip to

him later? Briony said, turning to leave. "I'm going to bed." .net

“Of course! I'll bring them up to Mr. Wentworth as soon as I'm done here!”

Back in her room, Briony closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a heavy breath. Her heart was pounding wildly.

She raised a hand to her cheek. It really was warm...

She went to the bathroom and splashed her face with water before turning off the lights and getting into bed.

That night, Briony tossed and turned, only drifting into a restless sleep in the dead of night.

She had no dreams.

In the morning, Briony rolled over and opened her eyes to see it was already half- past eight.