When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 372

"I'm not exactly hurting for cash," Aster replied. "I don't want your money. You couldn't pay me enough to take it. All I want is fresh soup every day. I don't even care if you make it yourself—I'll settle for whatever your chef cooks up."

"Fine," Henrietta nodded. "I'll have the kitchen prep some and send it over."

"No, I want you to deliver it," Aster insisted. "And you have to stay and watch me eat it."

He didn't dare push his luck and ask her to spoon-feed him. Henrietta frowned at the demand, but since he hadn't asked to be fed, she hesitated.

Taking advantage of her silence, Aster dialed up the pitiful act. "I literally got stitches for you, Henrietta. Don't you feel bad for me at all? It's such a tiny request..."

Eventually, Henrietta let out a long sigh. "Alright. I promise."

She didn't have much of a choice. Aster had taken a bat to the head for her, gotten stitched up, and stubbornly refused any financial compensation. Personally delivering a meal and watching him eat it... that was barely tolerable.

The moment she agreed, Aster lit up, his eyes sparkling with pure delight. He nodded eagerly like an obedient puppy. "Okay! Awesome, I'm so happy! Thank you, Henrietta!"

His childish exuberance left her absolutely speechless.

"I'm leaving now," Henrietta said.

Stepping out of the hospital room, she found Winona Stetson waiting for her. Winona leaned in. "Is that kid... trying to use this as an excuse to see you?"

Henrietta shook her head. "Who knows what goes on in his head."

Winona rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But seeing you... it's not like he can do anything. You're definitely not going to feed him, so what's the point?"

"I have no idea," Henrietta replied.

Henrietta stood by the bed, arms crossed. "You're being discharged in two days. Just go to your regular check-ups, let the wound heal completely, and you'll be as good as new."

Aster paused mid-bite, glancing up at her. "Does that mean in two days, I won't get to see you anymore?"

Henrietta ignored the bait, holding out her hand. "Do you want seconds or not?"

He eagerly handed the empty bowl back. "Yes! I'm eating every last drop of this!"

Her expression remained impassive as she took the bowl and ladled out another serving. "The kitchen made it."

Aster took the refill and dug back in, talking between bites. "Same difference. But what am I going to do in two days when I can't have this, or see you?"

"Ugh. I'm going to miss this food so much. Hey, how about... I just drop by your office every day after I'm out, and you keep feeding me?"