Chapter 57
Chapter 57:
After a brief hesitation, she asked more quietly, “I won’t get caught up in it, will I p>
Austin caught the wary look on her face. She resembled a startled kitten, bristling defensively, and he couldn’t help a soft laugh.
He set the document aside and extended his hand. “Come here p>
Brinley scowled, but she rose anyway and walked over.
He took her hand gently, the warmth of his touch seeping into her skin and wrapping her in a quiet sense of safety.
Holding her gaze, Austin spoke in an uncharacteristically serious tone. “As long as I’m here, no one can touch you p>
Brinley snorted, tugging her hand back. “Even without you, no one can touch me p>
With that, she returned to the sofa, picked up her magazine again, and pretended to bury herself in it. But the faint flush creeping up her ears gave her away.
𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘯
Austin continued to watch her, amusement flickering in his eyes.
These days spent confined to bed might have been the most restful Austin had experienced in years.
With her by his side, even the pain seemed to dull.
Sunlight poured through the blinds, stretching across the room and scattering warm, golden shadows around them.
After one more day in the hospital for observation, Austin was finally discharged.
Brinley stood at the gates of Hillcrest Villa, her brow faintly furrowed.
“What’s on your mind?” Austin asked, his voice still rough from illness.
Still weak, he leaned on Miguel for support. His face remained pale from recovery, yet his eyes were clear and bright.
“Nothing,” Brinley blurted, turning away as she clutched her phone, which still displayed a message from the butler.
It read, “The chef and staff have arrived. Dinner will be prepared according to Mr. Moore’s dietary requirements p>
She slipped the phone into her pocket and asked in an airy voice, “What do you feel like eating tonight p>
Austin replied with a smile, “Whatever you cook will be fine p>
“Don’t even dream of it.” Brinley shot him a glare. “The doctor said your stomach lining is badly damaged. For the next three months, you’re on light meals only. The chef is back, and he’ll be handling your food from now on.” She added firmly, “I won’t be stepping into the kitchen again p>
There would be no more reckless experiments. She couldn’t risk endangering him again.
Seeing the indignation written all over her face, Austin softened into a smile. He already knew what was on her mind.
Miguel had told him that after learning her meals had contributed to his gastric bleeding, Brinley had stood in the corridor outside his ward, muttering for half an hour, “It’s all because my cooking is awful p>
“All right,” Austin said gently, indulging her. “I’ll do as you say p>