Chapter 717 Did You Just Slap Me?

Meryl and Chandler stepped inside. The heater was on, filling the room with a cozy warmth, and there was a faint floral scent lingering in the air—lilies.

It was already mealtime, and she was starting to feel a little hungry. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the tortilla soup Chandler had specially brought over earlier. She opened the insulated container, sat down at the dining table, and was just about to take a sip.

But before Meryl could, Chandler snatched the container away. “Now that you’re home, you should have it fresh.” He headed to the kitchen, ladled out a steaming bowl of soup, and placed it in front of her. “Anything else you feel like eating? I’ll make it for you.”

She muttered, “Anything’s fine.”

Chandler frowned, looking a little exasperated. His gaze softened with amusement as he chuckled, “Alright, then I’ll just make you something random. Sit tight.”

He shrugged off his jacket, leaving just a crisp white shirt on. Then, grabbing an apron from the kitchen, he stuffed it into Meryl’s hands. “Honey, I’m gonna have to trouble you to tie this for me.”

Meryl pressed her lips together, convinced Chandler was doing this on purpose. But when she met his earnest gaze, she just couldn’t bring herself to refuse. Reluctantly, she reached around him, pulling the apron strings behind his back and tying them snugly at his waist.

He had an incredible physique—even with a shirt between them, Meryl could still feel the firm, well-defined muscles along his waist and abdomen, radiating strength beneath the fabric.

Once the apron was tied, Chandler turned around and gave her a small smile. “Drink your soup first. I’ll be quick.” With that, he dove straight into cooking. Clearly, he’d already prepared ahead of time—the ingredients were all set out in the kitchen.

Meryl grabbed her phone and casually sent Anne a message, letting her know she wouldn’t be staying over for the next few days. Anne didn’t reply. She probably hadn’t checked her phone yet.

Missing her son, Meryl opened her gallery and scrolled through his photos. She also had made it a habit to call the NICU every day, making sure he was doing okay.

The doctor had told her that the little guy’s lungs were now fully developed, and he no longer needed a ventilator. All his vital signs had stabilized, and for the first time in a long while, Meryl finally felt like she could breathe again.

But this morning, the doctor said they had done a heart ultrasound on the little guy and found that the foramen ovale hadn’t closed yet. Meryl looked it up online—it wasn’t a serious condition.

Her son had been born a little early, and the doctor had said it would typically close by the time he was a month old, or at the latest, by his first birthday. Still, since it involved the heart, she wasn’t about to take any chances. So, she planned to find some time to go to the hospital and check on things herself.

Just as Meryl was thinking about this, Chandler walked out of the kitchen carrying a dish. He set it down in front of her before turning back toward the kitchen. “If you’re hungry, go ahead and eat first. I still have a few more dishes to make.”

Meryl frowned slightly as she looked at the food on the table. “This is more than enough. If you cook too much, we won’t be able to finish it.”

Chandler frowned as well, replying, “I’m just worried you’re not getting enough nutrients.”

Meryl said, “Sit down and eat with me. Stop running around.”

Hearing that, Chandler nodded. He sat across from her and immediately started putting food on her plate. “I looked this up—it helps with wound healing. And this one, in case you’re already bored of the tortilla soup, should balance it out.”

He was thoughtful, his actions carrying the weight of a husband’s responsibility. But Meryl stayed silent. Of course, she could feel his care and concern. But maybe because the emotional wound between them ran too deep, she couldn’t shake the feeling that his kindness had a hint of deliberate appeasement to it.

Meryl then asked, “Have you been to the hospital to check on our son these past two days?”

Chandler put down his fork, saying, “The doctor said he’s doing well, but I still haven’t gotten the chance to see him myself.”

The baby was in the NICU, and parents weren’t allowed to visit. The only reason Meryl had managed to see him that day was pure luck.

She didn’t say anything else and didn’t mention that in a few days, she had an interview for the Brookstone College of Music program. She pressed her lips together before saying, “I want to go to the hospital later.”

Chandler asked, “To see our son?”

Meryl replied, “I want to see Felix.”

Chandler’s breath hitched at her words, and his brows instantly furrowed. She met his gaze without a hint of guilt and spoke, “It’s been days since Felix had his medical acupuncture. I’m worried.”

Chandler swallowed hard, not wanting her to go. “I already checked on Felix for you. He is recovering pretty well. You just had a baby, you know? You really don’t need to make the trip.”

“Is that so?” Meryl set her fork down. “But medical acupuncture helps improve circulation. For someone with internal injuries like him, it’s even more beneficial.”

Chandler had a feeling she wasn’t just going for Felix—there was a bit of payback in this. It was already late. The sun had set. By the time they finished eating, it would be completely dark. So, he stared at her deeply and asked again, “You’re really set on going?”

“Yeah.” Meryl nodded.

Chandler hesitated for a moment before sighing. He couldn’t bring himself to refuse her. “Fine, I’ll go with you. But it’s too late, and it is getting cold. Go change into something warmer first. I don’t want you to get sick.”

Meryl didn’t argue. After dinner, she headed to the walk-in closet. The moment she stepped inside, she froze. Right next to their bed was a small blue crib. It was neatly made, layered with thick, soft bedding—just one look and she could tell how cozy it was.

She wondered, “Did Chandler set this up? Oh, there are even stuffed toys on it. Who would’ve thought a guy like him could be so thoughtful? He really had everything ready ahead of time, just waiting for the baby to come home.”

Seeing the emotions flicker in Meryl’s eyes, Chandler gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Once our son is discharged, the three of us will have a happy life together. I’m really looking forward to it, Meryl.”

She didn’t say anything. For the first time, she thought that maybe Chandler might actually be a good father.

When Meryl stayed silent, he walked over to the closet and pulled out a thick winter coat. “Are you putting this on yourself, or should I help you?” Before she could respond, his large hands brushed against her collar, his fingers already at the buttons, ready to undo them for her.

The space between them was small—so small that Chandler’s breath ghosted over her face. His rough fingertips grazed against her soft skin. Caught off guard, she instinctively lowered her head, and in the process, her lips brushed against his fingers.

The softness of the touch made his brows lift slightly. Maybe it was the closeness, the intimacy of the moment, but his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Without thinking, he reached behind Meryl, his hand curling around her waist, pulling her against him.

Chandler’s voice dropped to a low murmur. “It’s too late, Meryl. How about we just stay home tonight and not go?” But Meryl shook her head.

With one smooth motion, his long arms enclosed Meryl in his embrace, and he coaxed, “If you really want to go, I’ll take you there first thing in the morning. But to me, nothing is more important than your health. Just listen to me, alright? Just look outside—the wind is strong. Trust me, you shouldn’t be out in this weather so soon after giving birth.”

Chandler held her too tightly, making it impossible to break free. Out of instinct, she lifted her hand, intending to push him away—but instead, her nails accidentally scratched his cheek. She hadn’t meant to, but the damage was done. A faint streak of blood marred his handsome face.

The sudden sting made him freeze for a second, surprise flashing in his eyes. “Meryl… did you just slap me?”