The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 87

The small round table in the hospital room was covered with steaming dishes Pierce had brought back from a nearby restaurant. Every single dish was packed with iron-rich ingredients meant to combat anemia. It was obvious he had gone out of his way.

Pierce scooped a bowl of herbal chicken soup and set it in front of her. "Drink the soup first, then eat."

Riley gently stirred the rich, fragrant broth with her spoon.

Pierce hovered nearby. "Careful, it's hot. Take your time."

He then picked up a fresh orange he'd bought and started peeling it. Halfway through, his phone rang.

Riley paused her spoon, a flicker of anticipation flashing in her eyes.

Pierce set the orange down, wiped his hands on a napkin, and pulled out his phone. The moment he saw the caller ID, he frowned.

Riley caught a glimpse of 'Manager Walsh' out of the corner of her eye and practically smiled.

She used to hate seeing that name. Now...

Thank God. She finally showed up.

"I need to take this," Pierce told her.

Riley nodded. "Okay."

Pierce stood up and walked over to the window to answer.

Riley continued eating as if nothing were happening, but she kept Pierce in her peripheral vision and her ears straining to catch every word.

She couldn't hear what Seraphina was saying, but Pierce's expression instantly darkened. He looked like he wanted to argue, but after shooting a glance in Riley's direction, he swallowed his words.

He took a deep breath, shifting into a cold, professional tone. "Understood." Then he hung up.

Riley was stunned.

That was it?

Did Seraphina actually come or not?

Pierce stood by the window, deep in thought for a few seconds, before walking back over to the bed. "I'm going to find your doctor and get a detailed update on your condition. Take your time eating. I'll be right back."

"Okay."

Pierce turned and walked out of the room.

Seraphina shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, her voice completely desperate. "Please don't send me away. I swear I won't get in your way. You've been ignoring me for days, and I just missed you so much. I'll stay out of sight. I just want to be able to look at you from afar."

Pierce stared at her, and his harsh expression finally began to crack.

Seraphina stood on her tiptoes, leaning in, testing the waters to see if she could kiss him.

Riley tightened her grip on her phone, ready to record, feeling an indescribable knot in her chest.

Was she completely numb to this?

No.

She had dated Pierce for two years and been married to him for one. Three years wasn't nothing. He had truly loved her once, and she had genuinely planned to spend the rest of her life with him.

But was she heartbroken?

Not really.

She already knew the truth. She had already cried. She had already felt the pain. Now, all that was left was an ironclad determination to get out.

Just as Seraphina's lips were about to touch his, Pierce turned his head away and gently pushed her back. "You can stay if you want. But Riley is sick, and I have to stay with her. I won't be meeting up with you."