Chapter 835

The next morning, sunlight seeped through the blinds, casting mottled shadows on the floor. Tyler leaned sideways in the visitor’s chair, his brows furrowed from a lack of sleep.

The black shirt he wore still had wrinkles from last night. His knuckles rested on his knee, and even in sleep, his posture carried a tense, unrelenting edge.

After hearing two knocks on the door, his eyes snapped open. They were obviously bloodshot.

Rachel pushed the door open and entered with a thermos, placing it gently on the nightstand.

She looked at the dark circles under Tyler’s eyes and reached out to smooth the crease between his brows. The moment her fingertips brushed his skin, he caught her hand.

Tyler’s eyes were wide open as he stared at her.

“Did I wake you?” Rachel asked.

His voice was hoarse from sleep, but his palm burned with startling heat. “No. You know I never sleep well, especially when you’re not beside me.”

Rachel had expected this. She pried his fingers open and pressed a cool towel over his eyes.

“Go back to sleep. I found a caregiver to stay here.”

The chill soothed him, making him squint comfortably. Her fingertips grazed across his cheekbone.

“You’ve already been tired from all that business travel, and now you’re helping me deal with my dad’s affairs.”

“It’s fine.”

He pulled off the towel and sat upright. His gaze shifted to the thermos she brought.

“Once we send him off for the last time, your responsibility will be over,” he said.

Rachel knew Tyler’s temperament and didn’t push further. She opened the thermos and laid out oat porridge, eggs, and some other side dishes one by one. Then, she turned to the bed.

“I brought some light breakfast. See if it suits your appetite.”

The oat porridge in the bowl was soft and smooth, sprinkled with shredded meat. The egg looked delicate.

Thomas, who had his eyes half-shut, opened them a little wider. He glanced at the dishes, and his tone remained indifferent.

“You went through so much trouble,” he said.

He lifted a spoonful of oat porridge. The warmth spread across his tongue as his peripheral vision caught Rachel carefully adjusting Tyler’s shirt collar. Her movements seemed natural, as if she had done it countless times.

Tyler noticed Thomas’ cold tone and frowned. “She got up early just to buy these. That’s all you have to say?”

“You’re so protective.” Thomas set the spoon down, but the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

Tyler had gotten more emotional. He used to look so detached and cold.

The ward door was pushed open again.

William came in with some food. When he saw Rachel, he stopped walking. His gaze lingered on her. There was a faint trace of longing and something unspoken in his eyes.

“Tyler.”

William placed the food on the table. He brought bread, oat porridge, and eggs, but clearly the food lacked Rachel’s standard of delicacy.

“Rachel and I will attend her father’s funeral later. Stay here and look after your grandpa.”

Tyler picked up a boiled egg, peeled it, and brought it to Rachel’s mouth.

“Eat some.”

Rachel instinctively took a bite. When she looked up, she met his mischievous eyes.

The affectionate gesture was a slap in the face for William. His grip tightened around the plastic bag in his hand. He watched Tyler wipe a crumb from Rachel’s lips with his fingertip, and his Adam’s apple bobbed twice.

“It’s about time. Let’s go.”

Tyler grabbed his jacket from the chair and said to Thomas, “I’ll come back tonight. Rest well.”

“Okay.”

Their footsteps faded down the corridor.

Tyler walked behind Rachel. In the elevator, they were seen holding hands through the mirrors.

As the car pulled out of the hospital gates, Tyler suddenly reached into his pocket and retrieved a velvet box. When he opened it, a jade bracelet glowed with a soft luster under the sunlight.