Abigail's tone suddenly softened after seeing my resolute demeanor. She gently moved to sit beside me and held my hand as she pleaded, "I think we should talk."
I pulled my hand back quietly and smiled mockingly as I said, "That won't be necessary."
There had been plenty of opportunities for her to clear things up before.
It was needless to say anything more now. The more that was said, the heavier the burden. I was sure that Abigail understood this even better than I did.
However, she remained at my bedside and showed no intention of leaving even as I lay in bed and covered my head with a blanket to avoid further conversation.
I paid no heed to her and directly closed my eyes before I drifted off.
She was nowhere to be seen when I woke up. Yet, I found a thermos container on the bedside table. It should be for me.
I glanced at the container and found it extremely familiar.
It seemed like the same container Abigail had once bought specifically to bring food to Joshua.
I still remembered that day. She had instructed me to make my signature chicken soup for Joshua, pack it in this container she had specially bought, and personally deliver it to him on set.
Joshua had sized me up. His tone was far from courteous even though he wore a smile. He smiled faintly and said, "So, you're Abigail's husband? I've heard that you're an excellent cook, especially with chicken soup. I had specially asked her to bring me a serving to try. Thank you for bringing it here in person."
I had long since become numb to such provocations by then.
I only seemed to shuttle between my rented apartment and the hospital at this point. There wasn't a third place where I could linger for long.
I wondered if it was a blessing or a curse that she had known me so well.
Sophia arrived at my ward half an hour later. She placed a bowl of soup and a few dishes on the table before me and said gently, "You've been in the hospital this whole time, unwell. You probably haven't eaten anything and don't have much of an appetite, right? The soup and these dishes might help you feel better."
Her thoughtfulness and patience lifted my spirits. I couldn't help noticing the faint flush on her face, and how she would shyly avert her gaze whenever our eyes met.
Sophia's personality was the closest to my idea of an ideal partner compared to Abigail's. She understood my feelings and cared about everything that mattered to me. She would be the first to show up by my side whenever I was at my lowest.
Meanwhile, Abigail was only my wife in name.
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