Chapter: 648
Tears welled up in Judy’s eyes, showing her genuine concern for Ariana. “Madam, I hope you don’t think me naive. I may not be
versed in a lot of things, but I do realize that you’ve been having a hard time lately. Once you’re discharged, how about we visit
the church for a prayer session?”
Ariana sat on the bed, quietly taking in Judy’s chatter, a gentle smile on her face all the while.
She didn’t find Judy annoying or noisy. Instead, she found this kind of care incredibly comforting, reminiscent of family, of a
mother.
Such motherly warmth had been absent from her life for so long that she had grown accustomed to carrying her burdens alone,
hardly daring to yearn for a comforting embrace.
“Judy, thank you.” Ariana smiled and pulled Judy into a hug.
Caught off guard, Judy’s eyes teared up more. She gently patted Ariana’s back, sighing, “We’re past formalities, dear...”
Ariana’s smile broadened. Ever since she became a part of the Anderson family, Judy had consistently been kind to her,
regardless of how others treated her.
“By the way, where’s Sarah?” Ariana released Judy and asked.
“Miss Flynn was also hospitalized last night, but she got up early for a follow-up check-up.”
Ariana nodded, quietly observing Judy as she went about preparing her food, waiting for her to bring up Theodore in
conversation.
After all, she knew that Judy genuinely wished for her and Theodore to reconcile, and hence, often praised him in her presence.
However, to her surprise, Judy didn’t bring up Theodore throughout the meal.
Ariana initially wanted to restrain her curiosity, but the growing sense of longing and anxiety prompted her to break her silence.
“Judy, where is Theodore? Hasn’t he been here?”
Judy’s face shone with a knowing smile as Ariana asked her long-held question. “So you couldn’t hold back any longer,” she
quipped, her hands busy straightening Ariana’s blankets.
“Mr. Anderson, you see, has been your constant guardian since you came in last night. He treated your wounds, and applied the
bandages. He stayed with you throughout the entire night and didn’t call me until dawn. Perhaps he was worried you wouldn’t
want him around when you woke up.”
Ariana fell silent after Judy’s revelation. Her gaze drifted downwards, taking in her lifeless feet, her heart aching with a peculiar
discomfort.
Not want to see him? How could that be possible? Even in her darkest, most vulnerable moments, her thoughts were consumed
by him, a constant presence in her mind.
She was acutely aware of the depth of her feelings for him. She yearned for his company, but couldn’t let go of what he kept
hidden.
Observing her gloomy expression, Judy broke the silence. “Madam, Mr. Anderson can be a bit of a tough nut to crack, but that’s
because he’s never had romantic feelings or been in a relationship before. Give him a chance, all men need a little shaping up.
It’s not like two people are born ready for each other, right?”
Settling down next to Ariana, Judy leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. “He genuinely cares for you. Give him a little time, he’ll
learn. Don’t be too quick to judge. Believe me, my husband was a much more stubborn man than he is now when we first met—”
Judy’s words faded into the background as Ariana got stuck on the revelation that Theodore had never been in love before. A
thought popped into her mind and she cut Judy off, “You’ve been with Theodore for a long time, Judy. Do you know who Marley
is?”