Chapter 96

Before Alexander could fully grasp the situation, the small table was already laden with an array of dishes.

"You made so much," Alexander remarked with a gentle smile. "What's this?"

"Pumpkin soup," Clara replied.

She picked up the bowl, scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Alexander's lips. "Try it."

Alexander smiled and lowered his gaze, but his smile faltered as he noticed something. "What happened to your hand?"

There was a blister on Clara's right index finger.

Clara tried to hide it, but it was too late. She sighed and admitted, "I... accidentally scalded myself in the kitchen earlier. It's nothing serious, just a small blister."

Alexander's eyes softened, tinged with concern. "Does it hurt?"

Clara shook her head. "Not at all."

Alexander took a sip of the soup, then gently held Clara's wrist, lowering his head to blow softly on the blister. After a few gentle breaths, he looked up at her, his eyes filled with worry. "Don't lie to me. Burns always hurt."

Clara's eyes glistened slightly. "It really doesn't hurt. Compared to your injuries, this is nothing." Alexander reached out to pinch her cheek. "Clara, if you get hurt, I feel the pain. Even the smallest injury isn't okay."

Clara bit her bottom lip lightly, her eyelashes fluttering as she instinctively acted coy. "Alexander..."

Her soft, delicate voice was too much for Alexander to resist.

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

Clara's ears burned, her heart melting with sweetness.

After a moment, she pressed her hand against Alexander's chest, creating some distance between them. "Alexander, eat first, or it will get cold."

Alexander's eyes glinted playfully as he teased, "Alright. We'll kiss again after eating?"

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

Alexander took a bite of the carrots.

Clara watched him nervously. "How is it? Does it taste okay?"

Alexander'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 Clara here trying to win my heart with food?"

Clara puffed up her cheeks, pretending to glare at him. "If I can't win over your stomach, I can't have your heart?"

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

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

Alexander finished every bite of the meal Clara had prepared, not leaving behind even a drop of soup.

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

Clara carefully collected the dishes, preparing to wash them.

Alexander said, "Let the nurse or housekeeper handle it."

Clara shook her head. "It's fine. Not a big deal."

Alexander's voice was low, carrying a hint of tenderness that was difficult to detect. "By the way, when did you learn to cook?"

Clara was a pampered young lady who had never needed to lift a finger. Cooking and washing dishes were tasks far from her everyday life.

Clara replied, "Just in the past couple of days."

Before Alexander could press further, the room door was pushed open, and a group of people entered. Amelia was in the front, carrying a food container. "Alexander, I brought you some food." Behind her were Ryan, Charlotte, and the hired caregiver.

Amelia's gaze swept over Clara, and she smiled. "Clara, you're here too. Have you eaten? Would you like to join us? The housekeeper just prepared it."

Clara smiled and declined. "Thanks for the offer, but I just ate." Alexander followed suit. "I also just had my meal."