Loving DAD 1160

Sharon frowned and forced her heavy eyelids open. 

+25 BONUS 

Not far away, a small fire burned steadily, its flickering light dancing across the walls of the cave. Suspended above the flames was a cracked clay pot, its contents bubbling and steaming. 

Thomas sat with his back to her, stirring the pot with a wooden spoon. 

Sharon coughed softly. “What are you doing?” 

Hearing her voice, Thomas turned his head, 

“You’re awake. Good. Have something to eat first.” 

She blinked in surprise. “Eat?” 

He ladled some soup from the pot and brought it over to her. As he came closer, she caught the earthy aroma- mushroom soup. 

The fragrance filled the small cave, rich and comforting. Even her fever–dulled senses stirred with a faint hunger. 

“Mushrooms?” she asked, puzzled. “Where did you find them?” 

The pot and utensils, she recalled, were the ones Thomas had salvaged earlier from the abandoned campsite. Half the pot had been cracked, but the other half was still usable. 

“I picked them outside,” he replied simply. 

Sharon immediately felt foolish. Her fever must have clouded her mind if she was asking such questions. 

Thomas took a clean bowl and a ladle from the side. “You’re still ill. You need something warm to regain your strength.” 

Wild fruits weren’t suitable for 

edible mushrooms instead. 

her condition–and likely inedible now–so he had gone into the forest to gather 

Her gaze fell on the clear broth before her. There were no seasonings, no oil, nothing but water and mushrooms. Yet the natural fragrance was so rich it made her mouth water. 

Noticing her hesitation, Thomas said gently, “Don’t worry. I’ve already checked them. They’re safe to eat.” 

Sharon accepted the bowl and lifted the spoon to her lips. The first sip was mild, but the warmth spread through her like a soft current. The mushrooms were tender and silky on her tongue. 

Maybe it was because she hadn’t eaten in so long, but even this plain, flavorless soup tasted heavenly. 

The mushroom stems had been trimmed cleanly, no trace of soil, not even a root left. When Thomas had first handed her the bowl, she’d noticed the utensils were spotless–he had clearly washed them with care. 

When she finished, a soothing warmth filled her body. The dizziness in her head eased, and the fog of exhaustion lifted slightly. 

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Chapter 1160 

Thomas glanced at her empty bowl. “Do you want more? I can pour another.” 

She shook her head. “No, that’s enough.” 

Her appetite was still weak; forcing more down would only make her uncomfortable. 

Thomas didn’t insist. He poured himself a bowl and sat down to eat quietly. 

Outside, dusk was falling again. The clouds hung low and heavy, pressing against the peaks. 

+25 BONUS 

“It looks like it’ll rain tonight,” he murmured, glancing toward the cave entrance. “I’ll gather more wood before it starts. Once you’ve regained some strength tomorrow, we’ll leave.” 

As night deepened, his prediction proved right–the rain came again, drumming steadily against the rocks. 

Lying near the fire, Sharon listened to the rhythmic patter outside. The flames cast a warm glow over Thomas’s profile as he added more dry branches to keep the fire alive. 

“I can take the watch,” she offered softly. “You should get some sleep.” 

He looked up at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. 

Perhaps because she had slept too much during the day, Sharon didn’t feel tired. She remembered collapsing the night before, unconscious and helpless, while Thomas had to care for her alone through the night. Just imagining how much he had endured made her chest tighten. 

Thomas met her gaze, the firelight glinting in his dark eyes.