?Chapter 2978:


    “My darling girl,” Ronald said, settling by the bed. The quiet man rarely poured out words, but now his voice wrapped around his daughter like warm nnel. “Look after yourself, okay? Don’t worry about a thing—you’ve got Dad and your brothers. You’ll always be taken care of.”


    Colleen’s smile trembled, tears glistening like morning dew on petals as she whispered, “Alright.”


    As the afternoon sun dipped low, painting the sky in hues of amber around five, Colleen’s phone buzzed with Brady’s call.


    “Hello?”


    “Colleen.”


    A mor swirled on Brady’s end, like a marketce alive with chatter.


    Colleen’s brow furrowed, a flicker of curiosity sparking. “Are you at the supermarket?”


    She meant the bustling Jenkins family chain, a ce etched in her memory from their dating days when Brady had whisked her through its lively aisles.


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    “Yes.” Brady gave a small nod, though she couldn’t see it. “Just grabbing a few things.”


    His reply was brief, but then he softened, asking, “Just calling to ask—anything you need to steer clear of for your health? Did the doctor mention any foods to avoid?”


    “No…”


    “Great.” Brady’s voice carried a quiet resolve. “I’ll swing by with some foodter. If your family’s around, I’ll drop it at the nurses’ station.”


    With that, the line went silent.


    Colleen clutched her phone, lost in a whirl of thoughts, her heart a quiet storm.


    Come evening, Louise and Ronald joined Colleen for dinner, their presence a warm hearth in the sterile hospital room. Yet Colleen’s fork barely touched the food.


    “Don’t feel like eating?” Louise’s worry was woven into her words. “Is your stomach acting up again?”


    “No…” Colleen shook her head. “I was stuck in bed all day, and lunch was a feast. My stomach is still catching up.”


    To ease her parents’ hearts, she added, “If hunger creeps in tonight, I’ll have the nurse warm something up for me.”


    Ronald chimed in, his tone steady, “Colleen is a doctor herself and she knows her body. No need to force her to eat if she’s not in the mood.”


    “Fair point,” Louise conceded, her smile softening.


    Colleen avoided their gaze, guilt tugging at her like a hidden current. Truth was, hunger wasn’t the issue. She was saving space for Brady’s food.


    Around eight, with the world cloaked in twilight’s embrace, Colleen saw her parents off.


    On her way back to her room, she lingered at the nurses’ station, her heart tiptoeing with anticipation.


    Brady must have stopped by, hadn’t he? Left something for her, perhaps?


    “Dr. Hayes.” The night nurse tilted her head, puzzled. “Need anything?”


    Colleen shook her head swiftly. “Nope. All good.”


    Looked like Brady still hadn’t shown up.


    It was pushing eight. He probably wasn’ting at all, was he?


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