His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 52

She pressed her lips together, awkwardly averting her gaze as she spoke with a dry throat. "You don't need to stay here. I'm honestly fine."

Archer didn't reply. Instead, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Zachary, order some food from Lyle's Kitchen. I want the black pepper beef with asparagus, a light vegetable medley, traditional slow-cooked chicken soup, and a side of soft-roasted yams."

His pace was steady, his instructions crystal clear.

Virginia froze, her eyes immediately welling with unshed tears.

Lyle's Kitchen was a private dining restaurant she frequented back when they were married.

And the dishes he had just rattled off were the ones she had ordered most often—her absolute favorites.

She never expected him to remember details like that...

Archer hung up the phone and raised his gaze to her, his tone completely flat. "Doctor White said your last meal was yesterday evening. Do you think you're invincible?"

Virginia opened her mouth but found herself entirely lost for words.

Finally, she murmured, "...Work was busy. I forgot."

"Forgot?" Archer stared at the IV drip attached to the back of her hand, his eyes darkening. "You're a doctor. Do you even believe that excuse yourself?"

Virginia shut her mouth.

Silence settled over the hospital room, leaving them both momentarily uncomfortable in the heavy atmosphere.

She quickly changed the subject. "I'm fine now. If you're busy, you can go."

"I'm fine now."

While she was asleep, he had already handled all his pending work.

"Then..."

"I'll leave after you finish eating."

His tone was even but unyielding, leaving no room for argument.

Virginia shot him a glance and gave up trying to push him out.

"It's hot. Eat slowly."

Staring down at the bowl of soup, Virginia suddenly felt choked up.

To distract herself, she quickly picked up a piece of asparagus and popped it into her mouth.

Remembering her manners, she mumbled around the food, "There's a lot here. You should eat too."

Archer's gaze flickered. He sat opposite her, quietly eating with elegant, measured movements.

Neither spoke. They simply shared a meal face-to-face. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the soft clinking of silverware against the plates.

Virginia sneaked a glance at him. Archer was looking down at his soup, the typically sharp, cold lines of his jaw somehow softened in the light.

It felt exactly like six years ago, back when they would sit at their dining table and share a meal.

Something gently tugged at her heartstrings.

She quickly looked away and focused on her food.