NovelStartBriony didn't have much of an appetite. She shook her head.
Stewart gazed at her pale, thin face, a pang of concern tightening his chest. He knew she was unwell and couldn't force her to eat.
He had taken it upon himself to look after her. Once the nurse refreshed her IV and offered a few instructions, she left them alone.
The hospital room was quiet.
Stewart sat at the edge of her bed, silently watching over Briony.
His unwavering gaze made her feel a little uneasy.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe atmosphere grew awkward.
Briony cleared her throat. "How long was I asleep?" Stewart settled in the chair beside her, his expression gentle. "You slept for a whole day and night." She tried again, "The kids-did they give you any trouble?" "Not at all. They've been angels. I video-called them and explained that you'd be busy with work for a few days and wouldn't be home. They even remindedto make sure you ate." A warm feeling blossomed in Briony's chest.
The children really were little angels-so thoughtful it almost broke her heart.
She glanced around, noticing this room felt different from a typical hospital room. "Which hospital is this?" "This is Clarke Memorial," Stewart replied. "Cedric Clarke arranged it. You need peace and quiet to recover. Here you'll have private care and state-of-the-art equipment. You can focus on getting better." Briony nodded.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, neither saying a word.
They'd made their peace, agreed to co-parent with civility. But as her ex-husband, Briony felt Stewart didn't owe her this much care.
"Have you been here the entire time?" He nodded. "You're still sick. I couldn't leave." "There are doctors and nurses here. You really don't need to be by my side every minute." Her tone was gentle. "I'm not trying to chase you away-I just don't want to trouble you. You must have your own things to take care of..." He shook his head, voice earnest, almost urgent, as if he was afraid she wouldn't believe him. "You know everything about my work now. The assignment's done. I'm free. Bryn, you don't have to worry. No one's going to hurt you or the kids ever again." She blinked in surprise. "That's not what I meant." "Then... are you uncomfortable withstaying here?" Stewart studied her, searching her face.
Briony fell quiet, then sighed, as if resigned.
"Stewart, didn't we agree? From now on, we're just the kids' parents. We only need to co-parent. Taking care oflike this-it's not your responsibility. I don't want to feel indebted to you." "Bryn, you don't have to worry. I want to help. As soon as you're well, I'll leave." He looked at her, determined. "At the very least, letdo this. I let you down before; I know I can never make up for it. But right now, you're in the hospital and need care. If just walked away, how could I live with myself?" "Stewart, I have my pride. I don't need your pity." "It's not pity!" Stewart said quickly. "I owe you so much. Anything I do now is the least I can offer." "But I don't need you to take care of me." Briony's voice was calm. "James and Stella are here too-" "Stella has her own family, and Aster is still young and needs her mom.
She doesn't have the tto be here around the clock like I do. As for James you're close, but he has a job and his own With responsibiliti you gone, he's also helping watch the kids. And Mrs. Winslow and Professor Winslow-do you really want to burden them at their age?" Briony frowned. "I can hire a nurse.....” "You should. A female nurse, for things I shouldn't be doing as your ex-husband." Briony was at a loss for words.
Stewart let out a breath, his tone softening. "Bryn, look at it this m way-I'm the kids father. If I help you recover, you'll be there for them sooner Taking care of you is really just taking care of our children too. So you don't need to feel bad about it." She fell silent.
No wonder he was a lawyer-when it cto arguing, she never stood a chance.
Just as the stalemate dragged on, someone knocked at the door.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmStewart jumped up to answer it.
Stella stood outside.
"Is Bryn awake?"
He stepped aside to let her in. "She just woke up. She hasn't eaten Ingo downstairs and make sEn.
soup-you stay with her." Stella nodded, her expression cool.
Stewart strode out, practically fleeing the room, which made Stella chuckle.
"When I cto visit before, Stewart never left this fast. What, do i Rave his fast, e 'danger written on my face today?" She closed the door behind her and sat by Briony's bedside.
Briony looked at her with a sigh. "I was still in the middle of a conversation with him when you cin." Stella raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What were you two talking about?"
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