The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 523

I refused to let myself cry, but the sorrow still swallowed me whole, much like the pitch-black night.

I buried my face under the covers, trying to comfort myself. It was over. It was all in the past. Soon, these memories would be sealed away, and the days ahead would be bright and beautiful.

As the night deepened, I drifted off to sleep amidst the boundless darkness and grief.

In a hazy state of consciousness, I felt someone sitting at the edge of my bed, quietly watching me from the headboard.

Then, my hand was gently drawn out from under the blankets. Fingers began to massage and knead my wrist with soft, meticulous care. I could feel every motion, but it was so soothing that I didn't resist.

It was probably Lucille. She must have sneaked in to check on me, keeping the lights off so she wouldn't wake me.

She really was a woman with a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She refused to call me, yet here she was, secretly massaging my wrist while I slept. If I woke up and spoke to her now, she would probably get defensive and storm off.

So, I simply lay there, enjoying the comforting pressure, letting myself slip deeper into sleep.

A long time passed. The massage stopped, but then a broad hand gently cupped my cheek.

A thumb softly brushed across my forehead in a deeply soothing gesture. The sheer tenderness of it sent a jolt of clarity straight through my muddled brain.

That was not how Lucille moved.

Even if Lucille felt a pang of pity for me and tried to express her guilt by rubbing my wrist, she would never comfort me with such delicate, tender affection.

The reason it took me this long to realize was partly because I was half-asleep, and partly because my subconscious was still desperately craving a mother's love. I had momentarily forgotten that Lucille had never been a gentle or approachable mother. My childhood was defined by strict rules and shouting matches. Lucille was forceful and abrasive; she never coaxed or comforted me with soft gestures.

In my entire life, only three people had ever treated me with such patient tenderness. The first two belonged to distant, faded memories. The third was...