The Substitute Wife

CHAPTER 163

After Nanny Shin sent Rose Jang out of the room, she remained in the corridor watching her until she disappeared around a corner before going back in.

......

Old Master Park regained full consciousness around 8:30 p.m. After an examination, the doctor recommended that he remain in the hospital for two days.

After the doctor left, Nanny Shin served Old Master Park his dinner. She filled a glass with water for him and, after some hesitation, she could not help but say, "Old Master, I was frightened silly when I saw you burning up last night and gave Young Master a call."

"Young Master is on a business trip, so it was Miss Jang who answered the phone. She came to the hospital last night and took care of you the entire night and only left this morning. She was also the one who instructed Young Master's housekeeper to prepare breakfast and deliver it here..."

As Nanny Shin spoke, she watched Old Master's face for any signs of distress before continuing. "Miss Jang said that she only came in after she saw that you had fallen asleep last night... I think that the reason why she came after you fell asleep and then left before you woke up is because she knows that you're not fond of her. She was afraid that you would find her an eyesore and get so angry that your condition might be aggravated, so she handled it that way to avoid upsetting you."

Old Master Park frowned but said nothing. Nanny Shin dared not continue speaking. She waited until Old Master Park had finished rinsing his mouth before she took the glass and went to the bathroom.

When Nanny Shin emerged, she saw Old Master Park leaning against the headboard and staring out the window. There was a look of deep contemplation on his face, but she had no idea what he might have been thinking.

......

Old Master Park ended up staying in the hospital for three days, and Rosè Jang visited him all three nights.

During the third morning, Old Master Park woke up before dawn. Rosè Jang, who was sitting by the bed and using her phone, immediately lifted her head when she detected movement. When her eyes met those of Old Master Park, she grew nervous. "Grandfather, you're awake?"

Rosè Jang initially thought that Old Master Park would either question why she was there or ignore her as usual, but he unexpectedly answered "hmm" after staring at her for a while. He then struggled to sit up, and Rosè Jang reached out to help him.

She knew that he didn't like talking to her and, upon noting his silence, she followed suit and remained quiet by his side. The atmosphere was inevitably awkward, so to soothe the nervousness in her heart, Rosè Jang washed two apples, peeled them, and placed them in a glass bowl after cutting them into little pieces. She then stuck a toothpick into one piece and handed it to Old Master Park. "Grandfather, have some fruit."

Old Master Park first looked at Rosè Jang before his gaze shifted to the pieces of apple in the bowl. He did not accept what she was offering; instead, he tilted his chin at the bedside table and said, "Place it there first." Rosè Jang did as she was told.

The room lapsed into silence again, remaining that way until Nanny Shin appeared with breakfast not too long afterward. She tried to convince Rosè Jang to stay for breakfast, but Rosè Jang came up with an excuse and left.

After Nanny Shin returned from sending Rosè Jang off, she helped Old Master Park lay out his breakfast, which was homemade and particularly sumptuous. Old Master Park, however, seemed to be lacking an appetite, as he pointed at the bowl containing the apple pieces and signaled Nanny Shin to hand it to him.

Why is he eating fruit this early in the morning?

Nanny Shin wanted to advise Old Master Park to eat some porridge, but she handed him the apples instead when he pulled a long face at her. With a fork, Old Master Park ate every piece of apple in the bowl.