The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 370

So Leon's "massive emergency" was just an excuse to make sure I ate a hot meal.

The sky was crystal clear today, and the winter sun even managed to penetrate this secluded alley. As I stood by the car, the sunlight felt warm on my skin, but it paled in comparison to the intense warmth blooming in my chest.

All the anxiety, terror, heartbreak, and agony were swallowed by that warmth. Even the darkest, coldest corners of my soul started to thaw.

I stared at Leon and his radiant, gentle smile, completely speechless. I had no idea what to say.

The relentless chaos of the past two days had left me utterly drained. By this morning, I was at my breaking point, convinced the world was nothing but cruel, ice-cold misery. But Leon's surprise hit me out of nowhere, wrapping me in a sudden, undeniable comfort.

How could I possibly be mad at him? I was just so shocked—and so incredibly moved.

My long-lost appetite roared back to life. I felt ravenous. I desperately needed food, and as if on cue, my stomach let out a loud rumble.

"See? You're starving! Your stomach is literally protesting. Come on, let's get inside." Leon heard the rumble and burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He immediately guided me into the courtyard. "I placed the order the second you texted me back. It should be hitting the table right about now."

Leon was right. Shortly after we sat down in the private room, the servers began bringing out plate after plate: Honey-Glazed Short Ribs, sweet and sour fish, savory tofu soup, steamed whitefish, and two vegetable dishes. The small table meant for four was completely covered in a feast.

"There are two more soups simmering in the kitchen. Let's dig in, Selena. Try these Honey-Glazed Short Ribs." Leon eagerly loaded up my plate.

He was right. Friends didn't need to be polite, because true friends showed their warmth and support through action.

With my mood instantly lifted, my appetite kicked into high gear. Leon and I ate in comfortable silence, and for the first time in days, I felt genuinely relaxed and at peace.

Leon had vastly overestimated how much I could handle. The spread was insane, and I was stuffed after just a few bites. Fortunately, Leon ate like a champion, savoring every bite with absolute delight. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I managed to force down a little more.

Thanks to those few extra bites, I slipped into a massive food coma. Or maybe it wasn't the food. Maybe it was just my shattered nerves finally untangling, begging my body to sleep.

I leaned back into the plush dining chair, bathing in the sunlight streaming through the window, and let my eyes flutter shut.