Chapter 88

"I'm tired of hearing that." Evelyn Sullivan set down her glass with an impassive expression. "I know exactly how much I mean to you."

The living room plunged into suffocating silence.

She straightened her clothes and stood. "I'll clean the kitchen. We'll order takeout later. What do you want?"

"Whatever." Ethan Sullivan didn't look up from his tablet. "I have paperwork to finish in the study."

The sound of running water filled the kitchen. Evelyn dried her hands and hesitated before tapping on a delivery app. She finally selected a Sichuan restaurant.

The food arrived quickly. As she set the table, a knock came from the study door.

Ethan's wheelchair stopped by the dining table. His gaze froze when he saw the spread of crimson dishes.

"Evelyn!"

"Hmm?" She scooped mapo tofu into her bowl.

"Are you doing this on purpose?" His voice was icy. "You know my stomach can't handle spicy food."

She poked at her rice with chopsticks. "I ordered steamed egg and stir-fried vegetables for you." A quiet mutter followed. "You said 'whatever' earlier..."

His knuckles whitened on the wheelchair armrests.

With every bite of spicy food she took, his glare darkened. Evelyn finally put down her chopsticks. "We should hire a cook starting tomorrow."

After a long silence, Ethan gave a stiff nod.

As she cleared the dishes, he spoke abruptly. "Help me shower."

"What?" She nearly dropped the dishcloth. "Your hands aren't broken!"

"Do you think I can do it myself right now?" His laugh was cold.

Her flushed face reflected in the bathroom tiles. The running water masked her pounding heart, but she still froze when she turned around—Ethan had only removed his shirt, his sculpted torso tapering into dress pants.

"Your pants..."

"You do it."

Her ears burned. "Should I call a male nurse?"

His hand clamped around her wrist. The world spun as she landed in his lap. The heat of his chest seared her palm, muscles shifting with each breath.

"Let me teach you." He guided her fingers to his belt buckle.

The metallic click startled sparrows perched outside the window.