Niamh went home today.
It wasn’t that she was unwilling to stay at the hospital as Clifford’s caregiver; she just wanted to cook for him herself—something he’d enjoy, and that would help him recover.
She visited the morning market and picked out the freshest ingredients she could find.
Maybe it was because Clifford’s surgery had gone well and he was in good spirits, or maybe it was because her divorce from Jonathan was finally moving along. Whatever the reason, Niamh felt lighter than she had in a long time.
Before lunch, she packed her homemade dishes into an enormous four-tier insulated carrier and headed for the hospital.
When Niamh stepped into Clifford’s hospital room, she found not just the nurse but Jonathan there as well.
Honestly, Clifford’s affection for Jonathan wasn’t wasted.
She knew how busy Sprague was with work, but Jonathan had his own demanding career, too! Yet ever since Clifford’s condition had stabilized, Sprague and Marigold rarely visited anymore.
Sure, they’d made arrangements and slipped a little extra to the medical staff, but paid help could never match the care of family.
It was Jonathan, like her, who stayed by Clifford’s side, refusing to leave—even when Clifford tried to chase him off.
“Nia, I keep telling you, focus on your own work. You don’t need to be here fussing over me. I’ve got plenty of help—you don’t have to worry,” Clifford said, trying to sound stern, but he couldn’t hide the smile that crinkled his eyes when he saw her.
“My work isn’t that busy,” Niamh replied, already unpacking the insulated carrier.
As she set out the steaming dishes, the room filled with the rich aroma of home-cooked food, making everyone’s mouth water.
Clifford had just come out of surgery, so his diet required extra care.
Niamh had prepared everything with his health in mind—low salt, low fat, easy to digest. There was gently poached cod, beef stew with carrots, a hearty tomato and vegetable soup, and a bowl of creamy oat porridge.
Clifford’s eyes brimmed with tears. He was deeply touched.
At first, he’d admired Niamh for how devoted she was to Jonathan, for her practical, down-to-earth kindness.
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