No More Waiting, She Chooses Love novel Chapter 195

The words I had uttered earlier hung heavy in the air, and I found myself momentarily breathless. I was about to stammer an explanation when Ernest, who had been half-kneeling by the sofa, got up and said, “Dinner’s ready, come have something to eat.”

It was only then that I realized how tightly I had been holding onto him. It turned out that in my dream, it wasn’t my parents I was clinging to, but Ernest—and I had even snapped at him.

Embarrassment made me let go, and as he raised his hand, I saw the deep marks I had left on the back of his hand.

Ernest walked away, and I got up from the sofa, feeling somewhat sticky. It seemed I had broken a sweat, and my fever had subsided.

“Put this on, don’t catch a cold,” Ernest said, bringing over a throw blanket.

I reached out to take it, but my hands, weakened from the fever, failed to grasp it.

Ernest ended up draping it over me. He then handed me a washcloth soaked in warm water to wipe my hands.

In that moment, I felt like a small child again, being taken care of by my parents when I was sick.

“Can you manage on your own?” Ernest asked, setting a bowl of steaming porridge in front of me.

Would he have fed me if I said I couldn’t? If he were my boyfriend, I would have let him without hesitation. But he wasn’t, and the awkwardness of my drunken tirade from the night before still lingered.

I mumbled a quiet yes and tried to scoop a spoonful to show him I could manage, but my hand shook uncontrollably.

He gently steadied my hand, “Take your time.”

“I’d like some water first,” I said, feeling drained after sweating so much.

He seemed prepared, handing me a glass of water that was warm and sweet with honey. It was impossible not to feel touched, yet I couldn’t bring myself to say thank you.

Ernest had prepared a light yet nutritious dinner: shrimp, salad, beef stew, and mushroom soup. All of them were my favorites.