Chapter 97


    Chapter 97


    Nathan didn’t wait for a second thought. He hopped into his car, mmed his foot on the gas, and sped


    away.


    Howard looked down with dismay, his face darkening.


    The small box looked fancy but had a cheesy slogan. “Happy Wife, Happy Life.”


    He flipped it over, and the back was even worse.


    It read, “Talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Pleasing your wife is an art.”


    Howard’s gaze was steely, an icy aura emanating from him. Where on earth did this no–brand junk


    come from?


    “Mr. Chadwick!” Gwendolyn called out, finding him. “Did Mr. Thomas leave?”


    Howard stuffed the little box into his suit pocket, looking up at her fresh, radiant face and replying,


    “Yeah, he’s gone.”


    Gwendolyn approached, noting his grim expression with concern. “Are you not taking to the


    countryside well?”


    “No, it’s that fool, Nathan. He’s caused some trouble,” Howard said tly.


    ve suv


    Gwendolyn pushed his wheelchair toward the house. “He looks like a decent guy, warm and chatty. My


    grandma talked with him all day, and now she’s sound asleep.”


    After a moment of hesitation, she added, “Our home is modest. There’s only one clean. room left. If you


    mind, I can make do on the floor.”


    The Quigley family’s little brick bungalow was modest, with most rooms used for storage, save for hers


    and her grandmother’s bedrooms.


    Howard looked up at her. “I don’t mind. It’s not the first time.”


    Back at home, they had shared space before.


    Gwendolyn’s eyes flickered away. Those were idents, once when he was drunk, another when she


    had fallen asleep from exhaustion.


    “I’ll fetch some water for you to wash up, then apply your medicine,” Gwendolyn said, taking him to the


    bedroom before leaving.


    Howard curiously surveyed her room, bookshelves lined with medical texts, traditional medicines, a bed


    by the window with a pot of wildflowers on the sill, and a string of wind chimes.


    There was a subtle, sweet fragrance, a woman’s touch.


    That was simple yetforting.


    She was a home–loving, gentle soul.


    Gwendolyn promptly returned with the water, setting it on the washstand. “Mr. Chadwick, could you


    please undress?” She fetched the pajamas from the suitcase and ced them on the bed.


    “Sure.”


    Howard was no fuss, stripping off his suit and shirt, setting them aside. Gwendolyn helped him sit on


    the bed, carefully slipping him into the pajamas.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    She wrung out a towel and gently cleaned his back. Then, taking the ointment, she meticulously


    applied it to his wounds.


    Howard’s fingers absentmindedly yed with the cuff, speaking softly, “You haven’t put on any


    ointment yourself.”


    Gwendolyn waved it off. “My injury isn’t serious, no need for medicine.”


    As she picked up his suit, something fell out. Howard quickly grabbed it, and Gwendolyn didn’t get a


    good look.


    “Just some trinkets,” Howard said calmly.


    “Oh.” Gwendolyn didn’t pry, hanging the suit in the wardrobe.


    Howard tucked the small box under his pillow, cursing Nathan silently again.


    “Mr. Chadwick, it’s gettingte. I’ll turn off the light.”


    “Okay.”


    Howard slept by the window, and Gwendolyn was on the outer side for easy ess.


    The sheets rustled. The edge of the bed sagged slightly. Reserved, Gwendolyny on the outer edge,


    upying only a sliver of space.


    She dared not touch Howard. It was their first time sharing a bed while fully conscious!


    Gwendolyny still, barely breathing, her hands folded neatly on her belly, in the most. standard


    sleeping position, willing sleep toe.


    “Move in a bit. You’re about to fall off,” Howard said evenly.


    Gwendolyn shifted closer, feeling his body’s warmth.