?<strong>Chapter 548:</strong>


    Kristopher remained by her side, silently adjusting a strand of her hair. Resigned to her situation, Carrie averted her gaze to the edge of her nket, unwilling to meet his eyes as she quietly epted his attentions.


    Just then, a maid entered with a bowl of steaming porridge, her tone respectful as she asked, “Mr. Norris, would you like me to feed Mrs. Norris?”


    “I’ll take care of it,” Kristopher replied, taking the bowl from her.


    The maid nodded and adjusted the bed to a raised position.


    Kristopher scooped up some oatmeal, briefly testing its warmth against his lips, then extended the spoon toward Carrie.


    Carrie turned her head slightly, evading the spoon.


    “You shouldn’t neglect your health, even if you’re upset with me. You’ll need your strength to argue, so eat up and get well. Then you can do as you please,” Kristopher urged gently, his voice tinged with a trace of humility.


    Carrie nced at him briefly but chose to remain silent.


    Undeterred, Kristopher tried again, nudging the spoon closer. This time, Carrie epted the oatmeal, eating with an expressionless face.


    Patiently, Kristopher continued feeding her until the bowl was empty.


    Setting the bowl aside, he asked softly, “Have you had enough?”


    Carrie hesitated before giving a quiet, affirmative grunt. “Mm.”


    Kristopher returned the bed to its t position but noticed Carrie shifting ufortably.


    Sensing her need, he asked, “Do you need the restroom?”


    A nurse aide promptly stepped forward with a bedpan and exined, “Mrs. Norris isn’t able to walk yet. She’ll need to use this.”


    Taking the bedpan, Kristopher started to lift the nket.


    The nurse aide looked taken aback, startled to see such a dignified figure tending to his wife personally.


    Once, such an action would have deeply moved Carrie. But now, her heart was too weary to feel anything at all.


    She gripped the nket firmly, whispering, “No need.” Though they had shared intimate moments before, she couldn’t bear for him to see her in such a diminished state.


    Kristopher’s hand softly touched hers as he murmured reassuringly, “It’s okay. There’s nothing here I haven’t seen before.”


    Carrie’s fingers tightened around the edge of the nket, her knuckles whitening from the tension.


    Observing this, the nurse aide cautiously intervened, “Mr.


    Kristopher loosened his grip and relented. “I’ll step outside. Let me know when you’re finished.”


    He cast a long, lingering look at Carrie, handed the bedpan back to the nurse aide, and quietly left the room.


    Once the nurse aide was finished, she helped Carrie through a quick clean-up.


    Even though they were both women, Carrie couldn’t help the faint blush that crept across her pale cheeks.


    She averted her gaze, turning her head slightly to the side.


    The nurse aide noticed, of course, but said nothing. With a word, she simply picked up the pace.


    Before Carrie could call for him, Kristopher walked in.


    Her shirt had shifted, riding up just enough to reveal the ugly wound on her lower abdomen—a jagged line of stitching that looked like an unsightly centipede clinging to her skin.


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