Eleven Years All to the Wrong Man novel Chapter 45

They were at an open-air barbecue joint across the street from the hospital's main entrance.

The owner, wearing a sweaty t-shirt with a white towel draped around his neck, was expertly flipping burgers on a large grill. The delicious aroma filled the air as people milled about, with most customers waiting on small stools by the roadside.

Emma was no exception.

She sat on a small stool, her phone resting on her lap as her free hand tapped away at a game.

Nathan stood beside her, holding her IV bag, feeling a bit lost and unsure of what to do.

“Mr. Allen, why don't you sit down? Aren't you tired of standing?”

Emma didn't even look up as she spoke, her eyes glued to her phone screen.

Nathan glanced down at the top of her head. “I'm not tired. I prefer to stand.”

“Oh.”

If he liked standing, then he could stand.

Thankfully, it only took about ten minutes for their food to arrive—two spicy meat dishes and a simple soup.

Nathan looked at the three dishes on the table and frowned. His director had asked for some documents at the last minute, so he had told Emma to go ahead and find a place and order. He hadn't expected her to pick a roadside BBQ joint, let alone order all spicy food.

“Go on, eat!”

Emma held up her IV bag and looked at Nathan across the table. “Don't be shy, Mr. Allen. Go ahead. I’ve already paid.”

Staring at the two fiery-red dishes, Nathan hesitated for a long time before finally picking up his spoon and ladling some of the corn chowder into his bowl. He slowly finished the soup, then looked at Emma and said, “I'm full.”

Back when they were poor, Emma’s greatest wish was to be able to eat out at roadside stalls with Evan every day. Such a simple, humble dream…

But Nathan wouldn't understand. Just like now, he was frowning as he watched her shovel bits of jalapeño into her mouth. Her lips were red and swollen from the heat, but she seemed completely oblivious, still going for more.

“Alright, that’s enough of the spicy food.”

Finally unable to watch anymore, Nathan spoke up. “Given your condition, haven't I told you to eat less spicy food?”

Emma slowed her eating and cautiously glanced up at Mr. Allen standing beside her. “Right, right. Okay, okay, I’ll stop…”

She'd finished a bowl of rice, which was enough for now. She wanted to save some room for the hearty pork and vegetable soup Mrs. Alvarez had made.

A black Bentley slowly approached the hospital. Jason was reporting on the Graymont City branch's recent project metrics. Evan sat in the back, a report in his hand, feeling increasingly agitated. He lifted his head and instinctively glanced out the window, where his eyes caught a familiar figure at a roadside stall.