Chapter 76

When Asher focused again, the small table was fully laden: stir-fried greens, beef, fragrant white rice, and a bowl of soup.

“You’ve made so much,” Asher said with a gentle smile. “What kind of soup is this?”

“Chicken soup with Chinese yam.”

Kimberly lifted the bowl, carefully blowing on a spoonful before offering it to Asher. “Try it.”

Asher smiled, lowering his gaze, but suddenly his expression froze. “What happened to your hand?”

Kimberly’s right index finger had a blister. She tried to hide it, but it was too late. “I… just burned myself a bit in the kitchen. It’s nothing, just a small blister.”

Asher’s eyes reddened. “Does it hurt?”

Kimberly shook her head. “Not at all.”

After sipping the soup, Asher gently took her wrist, lowering his head to softly blow on the injured spot. After a few moments, he looked up at her, his eyes filled with concern. “You’re lying. Burns always hurt.”

Kimberly’s eyes reddened at the corners. “It really doesn’t hurt. Compared to your injury, this is nothing.”

Asher reached up to softly pinch her cheek. “When you’re hurt, I feel it too. Even a small injury is too much.”

Kimberly pressed her lips together, her eyelashes fluttering as she inadvertently slipped into a softer tone. “Asher…”

Her gentle voice was impossible for Asher to resist. He pulled her closer, kissing her smooth forehead, her flushed cheeks, and finally her soft lips. Kimberly’s ears grew hot, her heart as sweet as honey.

A moment later, she placed her hands against his chest to create some distance. “Asher, eat first. The food will get cold.”

Asher drawled, his eyes crinkling. “Alright, and more kisses after?”

Kimberly made a small sound of protest, lowering her eyes without responding to his teasing. Asher took a bite of the stir-fried greens.

Kimberly watched him anxiously. “How is it? Is the taste okay?”

Asher’s eyes danced with amusement as he teased her: “Delicious. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Is that your strategy, Kimmy?”

Kimberly puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance. “So if I can’t win your stomach, I can’t win your heart?”

Asher laughed, pinching her cheek again. “How could that be? You just have to exist, and you’ve already won.”

Kimberly made a small “hmph” sound, but joy sparkled in her eyes. Asher finished every bit of the food Kimberly had prepared, even drinking the soup to the last drop. Afterward, he rested against the headboard. Kimberly carefully gathered the dishes, preparing to wash them.

“Let the nurse or attendant handle that,” Asher said.

Kimberly shook her head. “It’s no trouble.”

Asher’s voice lowered, carrying a barely perceptible tenderness. “When did you learn to cook?” His Kimberly was a pampered heiress who had never had to lift a finger for household chores. How had cooking and washing dishes become her responsibility?

“Just these past few days,” Kimberly answered.

Asher was about to ask more when the hospital room door suddenly opened, and several people entered. Lady Blackwood Jr. led the group, carrying a food container. “Son, I’ve brought you some food.” Behind her were Alexander, Charlotte, and a nurse.

Noticing Kimberly, Lady Blackwood Jr. smiled. “Kimberly, you’re here too. Have you eaten? Would you like to join us? I’ve brought plenty of food, freshly prepared by our cook.”

Kimberly smiled and declined. “No thank you. I’ve just eaten.”

Asher’s voice followed immediately. “I’ve eaten as well.”

Lady Blackwood Jr. paused, noticing the thermal container in Kimberly’s hand. “Kimberly, did you bring food for Asher?”

“Yes.”

Lady Blackwood Jr. looked to Asher. “Are you full? Would you like a bit more? I’ve brought all your favorites.”

“No need,” Asher replied. “Kimberly cooked everything herself. It suited my taste perfectly, and I’ve finished it all.”

Hearing this, Lady Blackwood Jr.’s face softened into a doting smile. “Good. If you’ve eaten, then that’s that.”

Alexander wore a mischievous expression. “Oh? Kimberly cooked for you?”

He set down the fruit basket and tonics he’d brought, grinning at Asher. “You lucky bastard.”

Asher retorted: “Indeed. A joy single dogs like you wouldn’t understand.”

Alexander’s smile froze. “Fine, I’ll find a girlfriend soon, and we’ll see how you like being surrounded by our nauseating displays of affection.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise. “Kimberly, you can cook?”

Kimberly gave a slight smile. “Just learned recently.”

“Love really is miraculous,” Charlotte said, circling Kimberly in disbelief. “I remember visiting your flat at university once, and you made me fried eggs. When I bit into them, they were crunchy – you said eggshells were good for calcium. Now you’re actually cooking proper meals.”

Kimberly touched her nose awkwardly. “Eggshells are good for calcium.”

Charlotte laughed. “Right, right. So it’s crunchy eggs with shells for your friend, but gourmet meals for your fiancé?”

Kimberly’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “I’ll cook you a proper meal next time.”

Charlotte grinned widely. “I’m holding you to that.”

Alexander glanced at her. “Cooking is something special between the two of them. Why are you butting in?”

Charlotte lifted her chin haughtily. “That’s none of your business.”

After the friendly banter had continued for a while, Lady Blackwood Jr. noticed the container in Kimberly’s hand again. “Kimberly, are you going to wash those?”

“Yes,” Kimberly replied.

“Give them to the nurse.” Lady Blackwood Jr. shot a meaningful glance at the attendant.

The nurse quickly stepped forward. “Miss Jordan, please let me handle it.”

Kimberly handed over the container. Lady Blackwood Jr. stayed only briefly before receiving a call and departing hurriedly. Kimberly had work to attend to in the afternoon, so after spending some time with Asher, she also left.

Just as she exited the hospital, she encountered someone she had hoped to avoid. Drake approached her. “Kimberly, I’ve finally found you. Why haven’t you been home these past few days?”

The “home” he referred to was the apartment in Riverside Manor. Currently, that was the only address Drake knew for her.

Kimberly regarded him warily. “What are you doing here?”

Drake’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he stared at her. “I heard your engagement ceremony was cancelled?”

Kimberly responded irritably. “How is that any of your business? Move aside!”

Drake blocked her path. “Kimberly, do you believe in fate? Your engagement ceremony being disrupted is a sign that heaven doesn’t approve of your match.”

“Hah.” Kimberly’s expression turned cold. “It’s the 21st century. How is your feudal superstitious thinking still not eradicated?”

Drake wasn’t bothered. The cancelled engagement had delighted him more than anyone. Moreover, Asher had been stabbed and nearly died. Even fate seemed to be on his side!

His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Kimberly, you know who the attacker was, right? She’s Asher’s obsessed admirer who’s been pursuing him for ten years. Many people at the engagement party saw her. It’s all over town now.”

“Think about it – if a woman has been pursuing Asher so passionately for ten years, how could he possibly remain completely indifferent?”