Before he came to realize it, the small table was already arranged with the various dishes.

“You made so much.” Stephen smiled gently. “What’s this?”

“Pumpkin soup.”

Tessa picked up the bowl, scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Stephen’s mouth. “Try it.”

Stephen smiled and lowered his gaze, but suddenly his smile stiffened.

“What happened to your hand?”

There was a blister on Tessa’s right index finger.

It was too late for Tessa to hide it, so she had no choice but to fess up. “I… accidentally scalded myself in the kitchen just now. It’s nothing much, just a small blister.”

Stephen’s eyes turned red. “Does it hurt?”

Tessa shook her head. “Not at all.”

Stephen drank the soup, gently held Tessa’s wrist, and lowered his head to slowly blow on the blister. After a few gentle breaths, Stephen looked up at Tessa, his eyes filled with distress. “Don’t lie to me. Burns always hurt.”

Tessa’s eyes reddened slightly. “It really doesn’t hurt. Compared to your injuries, this is nothing.” Stephen reached out to pinch her cheek. “Tessa, if you get hurt, I feel pain. Even the smallest injury isn’t okay.”

Tessa bit her bottom lip lightly, her eyelashes trembling as she instinctively acted coy, “Stephen…

Her soft and delicate voice was too much for Stephen to handle.

He pulled her closer, kissing her smooth forehead, her flushed cheeks, and her tender lips.

Tessa’s ear burned, her heart melting with sweetness.

After a moment, she pressed her hand against Stephen’s chest, creating some distance between them. “Stephen, eat first, or it will get cold.”

Stephen used a teasing tone, his eyes glinting playfully. “Alright. We kiss again after eating?”

Tessa let out a small hum, lowering her gaze and ignoring his mischief.

Stephen took a bite of the carrots.

Tessa watched him nervously. “How is it? Does it taste okay?”

Stephen’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he teased, “It’s delicious. They say the way to a

person’s heart is through the

stomach. Is my Tessa here trying to win my heart with food?”

Tessa puffed up her cheeks, pretending to glare at him. “If I can’t win over your stomach, I can’t have your heart?”

Stephen chuckled, pinching her cheeks again. “How could that be? Just by standing there, you already have my heart.”

Tessa let out a soft huff, but her eyes shone with sudden joy.

Stephen finished every bite of the meal Tessa prepared, not leaving behind even a drop of soup.

After the meal, he leaned against the headboard to rest.

Tessa carefully collected the dishes, preparing to wash them.

Stephen said, “Let the nurse or housekeeper handle it.”

Tessa shook her head. “It’s fine. Not a big deal.”

Stephen’s voice was low, carrying a hint of tenderness that was difficult to detect. “By the way, when did you learn to cook?”

Tessa was a pampered young lad

who had never needed to lift a

finger. Cooking and washing dishes were tasks far from her everyday life.

Tessa replied, “Just in the past couple of days.”

CUMS

The room door was pushed open before Stephen could press further, and a group of people entered. Sophia was in the front, carrying a food container. “Stephen, I brought you some food.” Behind her were Quentin, Naomi, and the hired caregiver.

Her gaze swept over Tessa, and she smiled. “Tessa, you’re here too. Have you eaten? Would you like to join us? The housekeeper just prepared it.”

Tessa smiled and declined. “Thanks for the offer, but I just ate.” Stephen followed suit. “I also just had my meal.”