Chapter 78 He Brought Up Lucian First
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Chapter 78 He Brought Up Lucian First
Rosalie’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Mom! I can take care of myself!” she protested.
“Shut up!” Abigail spun around and shot her a sharp glance. “Since you’re married, these things should be handled by your husband. Otherwise, what’s the point of having one?”
Her words were clearly meant for someone in the room.
The hospital room fell silent for a moment.
“Mrs. Ashford, you’re right,” Julian said, his eyes fixed on Rosalie’s reddened face.
His voice was steady as he said, “Of course, I’ll be the one to take care of Rosalie.”
He then turned to Abigail and nodded slightly. “Rest assured, Mrs. Ashford.”
Satisfied, Abigail left the room.
Rosalie stared at the closed door, utterly speechless.
She clearly remembered Abigail worrying moments ago that Julian might take an interest in her. Now, she had practically pushed her into his care, and everything had happened far too quickly.
“Do you want to rest a little more?” Julian asked her.
Rosalie nodded, and as she tried to settle back onto the bed, his hand came to support her back.
She flushed and whispered, “I can do it myself.”
Julian lowered his gaze to her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Your mother’s right-being your husband isn’t just for show.”
Rosalie was left completely speechless. Julian helped her lie down properly and carefully tucked the
blanket around her.
Only then did he sit in the chair beside her, sitting straight and composed, a contrast to his previously
casual posture.
Watching him, Rosalie’s mind flicked back to the fire, remembering how he had shielded her with his back, and her chest tightened.
She asked softly, “Your back… Is it badly hurt, too?”
Julian replied calmly, “Just a minor injury. I’ll be fine in a few days.”
Rosalie didn’t believe him. Pointing to the empty cot beside her, she said, “Then, you should lie down and
rest, too.”
Julian didn’t move, his back straight and rigid like a silent pine tree.
Chapter 78 He Brought Up Lucian First
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Feeling slightly uneasy under his gaze, Rosalie softened her tone. “You don’t need to do what my mother says. I’m not that delicate. I just want to sleep. You don’t need to watch over me.”
She hesitated, her voice hoarse as she added, “When you look at me like that, it makes me feel
uncomfortable.”
Julian furrowed his brows, his eyes fixed on Rosalie as he suddenly asked, “When you were sick, didn’t your ex stay by your side all the time?”
He paused for a moment before adding, “When he stayed with you, did it ever make you feel
uncomfortable?”
Rosalie froze. She hadn’t expected him to bring up Lucian.
Feeling a bit flustered, she pressed her lips together and looked away. “That… That wasn’t anything like
how you watch over me.”
It couldn’t compare.
Lucian’s idea of “being there” meant playing games on his phone while she didn’t need him or crowding her onto the small hospital bed so she ended up pressed against the edge.
At those times, she had slept uncomfortably and felt cramped, yet the moment she opened her eyes and
saw Lucian’s profile, all that irritation seemed to melt away.
He always slept so soundly that, several times when the doctor came to check, it was she who had to
wake him.
He was nothing like Julian, who just sat there in the chair, eyes fixed on her without blinking, completely focused. Rosalie felt a shiver run through her chest under his intense gaze and couldn’t help but speak up
again, “I don’t like being watched while I sleep. Maybe… you could go play some games?”
Julian was silent for a moment, then finally stood. He reached into his pocket and held something out to her. “A birthday gift.”
Rosalie stared in surprise at the delicate starlight strawberry crystal bracelet. Each gem was clear and full, swirling inside like fragments of a crushed galaxy, scattering a soft, warm glow under the lamp.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the bracelet.
