A Successful Career After Divorce

Feeling Ranita’s attitude soften, Brendon seized the moment, looking at her with a weary expression and whining, “Ranita, my whole body hurts.”

Brendon took her hand and placed it on his cheek. “No one has helped me shave or clean my back these past two days. I’m turning into a salted egg.”

Seeing his pitiful look, Ranita retorted, “Isn’t Shannon around? Can’t you ask her for help?”

“She’s not related to me. How could I trouble her?” Brendon looked at Ranita seriously, his eyes filled with deep expectation.

“Ranita… I broke off the engagement with her. My matters have nothing to do with her.” Pausing, Brendon tightly gripped her fingers and said in a low voice, “I’m your man.”

Ranita felt a mix of bitterness and sweetness in her heart.

“You’re being sweet now just to make me your nanny!” Ranita huffed, shaking off his hand but not leaving. Instead, she found shaving foam from the drawer and carefully sprayed it on his face.

Once he looked like an old man with a white beard, Ranita bent down and slowly helped him shave.

He had lost some weight, but his jawline remained sharp. After cleaning up the stubble, he looked very handsome.

His skin felt warmer than usual, making Ranita momentarily dazed.

“What are you staring at so intently?” the man asked in a low voice, with a barely noticeable smile at the end of his sentence. “I know I’m good-looking.”

Dog man! So narcissistic!

“I am not!”

“Really? Then why are you blushing…” Brendon raised an eyebrow, a faint smile lingering at the corner of his eye, looking spirited.

Ranita liked this version of Brendon, whose eyes always sparkled. Covering her face, she denied, “I’m not blushing!”

Brendon laughed at her and after a while, teased, “I must have seen it wrong then!”

Ranita felt so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to hide in.

After shaving, Brendon looked much more spirited. Ranita thought he was fine until the nurse came to change his dressing. Seeing the knife wound on his body made her eyes well up with tears.

“Take the painkillers after dinner. If the pain is unbearable, take them; otherwise, try to endure it.”

Seeing the pile of pills made Ranita feel even worse.

“What’s wrong?” The man noticed her distress. “I’m fine. It’s just a small wound; it’ll heal in a few days.”

“The doctor and nurse are just being overly cautious!” Brendon said. Ranita stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

“Brendon, thank you.”

If it weren’t for him, she would be the one lying in that hospital bed!© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Ranita wished she could take all his pain onto herself…

“It’s my fault for dragging you into this.”

Tears rolled down Ranita’s cheeks as she spoke, sinking into a low mood.

Brendon patted her back to comfort her. “I told you I’m fine.” Pausing, he added, “It’s not your fault; it’s all Aldo’s doing.”

“But…” Ranita still felt deeply guilty.

“No buts! I’m fine now and will be discharged in a few days!” Pausing again, Brendon asked while holding her hand, “Will you stay with me?”

“Marrying you is out of the question, but I can take care of you for a few days.” Ranita replied and then asked, “What about Mrs. Stuart?”

Brendon smiled, pulled Ranita closer so she sat on the edge of the bed, and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her nose with a smacking sound.