Chapter 156 Just Killing Time
Chloe let out a small cry and immediately pulled Brian toward the sink. She turned on the faucet, letting the cold water run over the hand he’d just scalded with hot coffee.
His right hand was bright red. It was a clear sign that the coffee had been extremely hot.
“There’s a lead on your brother?” Brian murmured.
Chloe froze for a moment. “The military has a lead, but you should be worrying about your hand right now! You need to hold your cup steady next time. With a burn like this, it’s probably going to form a blister!”
Brian lowered his gaze. “What kind of lead is it? Will they find him soon?”
“For now, they’ve only recovered a military drone Daniel used five years ago. They sent people to collect it, but we won’t know anything concrete until they examine it and see if there’s any useful information. Still… I have a good feeling I might find Daniel before long,” Chloe said.
Brian’s face paled, and the hand Chloe held under the cold water trembled slightly.
“Does it hurt a lot?” Chloe asked.
“If I were in pain, do you think you’d even be worried?” he shot back.
Chloe looked up at him. “You’re my boyfriend. Of course, I’d worry if you were hurt. But I don’t want you to think getting hurt is okay just because I care. I want you to take care of body.”
His body stiffened, and his eyes met hers.
It was the first time anyone had ever told him they genuinely hoped he would take care of
himself.
your
Liam and Emily had never cared about his well–being. Even though Martin had been kind, he’d only ever wanted Brian to grow strong enough to one day lead the Steele family.
As for his subordinates, no matter how loyal they were, their feelings toward him were mostly a mix of fear and reverence.
He’d never paid much attention to his own body. In the past, no matter how severe his injuries were, he hardly gave them a thought. At times, he even felt it wouldn’t matter if he died.
But now, because of Chloe, everything seemed to be changing.
After running cold water over his hand for a long while, Chloe carefully dried it with a paper towel and asked, “Where’s the first–aid kit?”
Chapter 156 Just Killing Time
2/4
“There isn’t one,” he replied.
“There’s no first–aid kit?” she said, a little surprised.
“This isn’t my permanent residence,” he explained. He only used the apartment occasionally to rest when he didn’t want to return to the Steele residence.
Chloe finally understood why the apartment had so little furniture and so few personal belongings.
Fortunately, delivery services were quite advanced. Chloe quickly ordered burn cream online and then asked, “Do you want anything for dinner?”
“Anything’s fine. How about you? Is there something you feel like eating?” he replied.
“If nothing appeals to you, how about pasta? I can make two bowls tonight,” Chloe suggested.
“You’re making pasta?” Brian asked, raising an eyebrow.
“What, you don’t trust my cooking?” Chloe said as she added vegetables, beef, and some pasta to her cart. “I’ll make some for you later. My colleagues in the special forces always said my pasta was pretty good.”
“Did Ethan try it too?” he asked suddenly.
Chloe paused, then laughed. “Are you really worried about Ethan?”
He pressed his thin lips together. “He’s shared many experiences with you that I haven’t.”
“He was my comrade and is like a younger brother. I didn’t even know you when I met him,” Chloe replied.
Brian’s eyes darkened slightly. Yes, why hadn’t he met her sooner? If only he’d known her
earlier…
“But you’re my boyfriend now. We’ll have plenty of time and experiences to share in the future!” Chloe added quickly.
Her gentle voice was like a warm breeze, soothing the sudden unease that had settled over
Brian.
Soon after, the delivery arrived. Chloe first applied the ointment to Brian’s scalded hand with care, then took the ingredients into the kitchen.
Brian got up to follow her, but Chloe said, “Your hand’s hurt. Just sit and rest in the living
room.”
“I want to go to the kitchen with you. I’ll just sit quietly beside you and won’t bother you,” he insisted.
Chapter 156 Just Killing Time
3/4
“Alright,” Chloe agreed, noticing how Brian seemed a little clingy.
Once they were in the kitchen, Chloe busied herself with washing and chopping vegetables and slicing the meat. Brian leaned against the wall, quietly watching her every move.
He’d never imagined that watching someone work in the kitchen could be so captivating. Yet in that moment, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The apartment, which had always felt cold to him, suddenly seemed warm simply because of
her presence.
If they ever married, would it always feel this cozy?
She wouldn’t have to do any of this. He could cook for her every day and learn to make anything she liked. Their children would run and laugh around them, filling the scene with warmth. It was beautiful, almost like a dream.
The two bowls of beef and vegetable pasta in tomato sauce were ready. Just as Chloe was about to turn and call out to Brian, a pair of arms slid around her waist, wrapping around her.
“Be careful with your hand,” Chloe whispered softly.
“Chloe, I feel so incredibly happy right now,” Brian murmured, pressing his cheek against
hers.
It was precisely because he cherished this happiness that he feared losing it all the more.
“I feel happy too, having a boyfriend like you,” Chloe said with a smile.
“Really?” he asked.
“Of course it’s true, Brian. I hope that one day we can be like my parents, walking side by side and never leaving each other,” Chloe said firmly.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: After Divorce, I Returned as the Army's Queen