Chapter 34: Quietly Kind to Her

Half-asleep, Annette sensed someone beside her. Instinctively, she shifted closer to the warmth. Her toes stretched out and brushed against something hot. Comforted, she snuggled in tighter, wrapping herself in the blanket and nestling closer.

Stuart hadn't slept all night. He felt a foot nudge against him, then drape over his leg. Soon, Annette was pressed tightly against his side, her hand on his shoulder.

It was the first time he realized just how soft a woman could be. Her subtle scent filled the air, sweet and dizzying, making every nerve in his body tense. He could feel his heartbeat pounding, his blood rushing.

He wanted to shift her away, but feared waking her. So, he stayed still, allowing her to cling to him like an octopus all through the night.

Annette, on the other hand, slept soundly. The cold from the earlier half of the night had melted into warmth. It felt like she had been sleeping beside the sun itself—cozy, soothing, and utterly relaxing.

When she finally woke, daylight had flooded the room. Outside, women were yelling at children, and Julia's sharp voice echoed through the courtyard.

It took her a moment to remember where she was—they were back in Stuart's hometown.

She turned and noticed that the blankets beside her hadn't been disturbed. Stuart either hadn't come back or had risen early.

Stretching lazily, Annette dressed and combed her hair before stepping outside.

The sunlight was harsh at first. She shielded her eyes with the back of her hand, adjusting to the brightness before scanning the yard. It was small and cluttered. Two snot-nosed kids played by the well, and Carl's wife, Clara, stood nearby, scolding them with a hand on her swollen belly.

Annette hadn't realized Clara was pregnant.

In one corner, Julia plucked feathers from a chicken. Stuart was nowhere in sight.

Annette squinted, didn't bother greeting Julia, and turned back to fetch her towel.

But Clara was quicker. She called out to her children with a false sweetness, "Tiger, Danny, call your Auntie! This is your Auntie. Call her and you'll get candy."

Annette had no desire to engage. She turned to go back inside.

Clara, however, trailed behind with her two boys. "Sister-in-law, you haven't met the kids yet. The older one is Danny, the younger is Tiger. Don't you think they look just like Stuart? So handsome."

Annette raised a brow. These kids were Carl's sons. She chuckled, "Let's not say nonsense. They're Carl's boys. How could they look like Stuart?"

Clara wasn't the least embarrassed. "Well, Stuart's the best-looking in the family. Naturally, my kids take after him."

She nudged the boys, who wiped their noses with their sleeves and greeted, "Auntie."

"Very polite," Annette said coolly. "Now run along. I need to wash up."

Clara stood there, dumbfounded. Shouldn't there have been some sort of gift for the kids?

Annette stared at her. "Anything else?"

"No, no," Clara mumbled, retreating. As soon as she stepped outside, she smacked Danny on the head. "Look at you—disgusting! Like a pig! No one likes a filthy kid."

Annette knew exactly what that display was about—fishing for benefits. She smirked. As if she'd fall for it.

Just as she stepped out with her towel and enamel cup, Stuart returned from the village with two shiny red basins.

He handed one to Annette. "Bought this at the general store. You can use it."

Last night, he'd noticed her trying to disinfect the communal washbasin with hot water. She clearly found it unhygienic.

Annette's eyes lit up. "Perfect! I was just thinking of getting one myself."

From her corner, Julia glanced up, glaring at the new basin in Annette's hands. Brand-new. So bright it stung her eyes.

She had thought Stuart brought nothing home. Last night, she assumed they were just tired and hadn't unpacked. But even this morning, he made no effort to bring out gifts or explain anything. Instead, he went off to buy a basin.

Julia cleared her throat loudly. "Stuart, if you were going to the store, you should've picked up some soy sauce. We're having chicken for lunch, and we're all out."

Stuart turned and handed five cents to Danny. "Let Danny go. My wound's acting up."

Annette was caught off guard—Stuart showing weakness? She quickly chimed in, playing along, "You should go lie down. I told you last night the wound looked inflamed, but you wouldn't listen."

Only after speaking did she realize how ambiguous "wouldn't listen" sounded.

Blushing, she fled toward the well to wash her face.

Stuart, unfazed, took the second basin and headed inside. As he stared at the two side-by-side blankets, her words echoed in his mind.

Suddenly, he felt parched.

Their innocent exchange had sparked a ripple of intimacy neither fully realized yet.

Outside, Clara and Julia were seething.

"Shameless woman," Clara muttered. "Talking like that with a man she just married."

Annette finished brushing her teeth just as Nancy, Stuart's younger sister, emerged from the side room, yawning. Seeing Annette startled her. "Annette?"

She quickly corrected herself. "I mean, Sister-in-law? When did you two get back?"

Her eyes immediately locked on the shiny new basin by the well. "Perfect, I need to wash my face."

She fully intended to use it and quietly claim it later.

As Nancy rolled up her sleeves, Annette casually poured the water out and held onto her basin. "We got back last night."

She had seen the greed in Nancy's eyes. No way she was letting her use it.

With a smirk, she took the basin and walked off.

Nancy stomped her foot in frustration. She wanted to lash out, but Julia had warned her not to offend Annette. They still needed her money to raise the baby.

Except her baby wasn't cooperating. Three doses of that herbal mix, and still no results.

"Stupid brat," Nancy thought, clenching her fists. "How is it even still alive?"

As she turned away, a sharp pain jolted through her abdomen, followed by a rush of hot liquid trickling down her leg.

Panic set in. She screamed, "Mom! Mom! Something's wrong, I think I—"