Chapter 56

Both Julian's and Yvonne's expressions flickered with nervousness for a split second. But Yvonne quickly masked it with a soft smile, slipping her arm through Julian's and leaning against him with practiced warmth.

She turned to Rodger and teased lightly, "Yes, we were quarreling. He stayed with me the whole night,and now I'm angry he doesn't look after himself.What if I get better only for him to fall sick?"

Rodger narrowed his eyes at Julian, suspicion lacing his tone. "Is that so?"

Julian's gaze wavered, landing on Yvonne with a layered, unreadable look. She met it coolly, her eyes sharp with silent warning-play along.

Forcing his lips into a faint smile, Julian steadied himself and guided her back against the pillows. His hand brushed her forehead with a tenderness that looked natural enough. In a voice lowered to near a whisper, he murmured, "I'm not that fragile. What you need is proper rest."

The two, still simmering from their spat a moment earlier, carried a tension that made their performance feel strained.

Luckily, with their backs turned, Rodger didn't catch the fleeting bitterness in their expressions.

Julian forced a pleasant look onto his face before turning toward Rodger. "Don't worry, Grandpa.Yvonne and I are doing perfectly fine."

Rodger's doubtful gaze lingered, pressing Yvonne to deflect with a quick smile. "Rodger, what brings you here today?"

"I came for a follow-up," he replied curtly, then shot Paula a sharp glance. With a huff, he added, "If I hadn't happened to see Paula carrying food, I'd still be in the dark about Yvonne's condition. Were you planning to keep this from me forever?" Julian's face flushed with embarrassment, and Yvonne instinctively darted him a startled glance.

Her sudden hospitalization was something Paula couldn't have possibly known about on her own-Julian must have been the one who asked her to prepare the meal.

Rodger remained oblivious to the silent exchange and turned his full attention to Yvonne. His voice softened with concern as he asked, "How did you end up falling into the water like that? You didn't hurt yourself,did you?"

Once the words left his mouth, his expression hardened again. He shot Julian a sharp glare and scolded, "What were you thinking? You can't even manage to take proper care of your own wife?"

Yvonne gave an awkward little laugh, just about to step in to defend Julian. But before she could, Julian lowered his head, his tone steady and sincere."This was on me. I didn't protect Yvonne the way I should have. It won't happen again." For a moment Yvonne froze, as though a needle had slipped into her heart, her eyes shimmering with a thin glaze of tears.

She couldn't tell if Julian's tenderness was sincere or just another performance meant to placate Rodger-and deceive her.

Rodger, on the other hand, seemed satisfied.He gave a pleased nod and told Paula to bring out the meal prepared specially for Yvonne.

The salad and toasts appeared, perfectly made,worlds apart from Julian's earlier attempts in the kitchen.

Julian's expression tightened as if the sight reminded him of his own lackluster cooking. Turning aside, he muttered, his voice edged with irritation, "You're still recovering. Greasy food isn't good for you, so l had Paula make something light instead."

Yvonne quietly agreed. Her stomach felt weak, and she had no appetite for anything heavier. Meanwhile, Rodger jabbed Julian lightly with the tip of his cane.

Julian turned his head, brows knitting in confusion,until he noticed Rodger tilting his chin toward Yvonne. Realization dawned, and Julian's shoulders stiffened.He hesitated a beat too long.

Rodger, clearly annoyed, gave him a sharper prod that made Julian grunt under his breath.

The sound drew Yvonne's attention. She lifted her gaze, eyes questioning.

Julian pressed his lips together, stepped closer, and smoothly took the spoon from her hand.

A sudden jolt of surprise made her blink. "What are you doing?"

With quiet determination, Julian met her eyes. "When you're sick, it's my responsibility to take care of you."