Chapter 423
Tyler stepped out of the car just after the nurses helped Naomi down. The morning sun cast a soft light across the driveway as Hillary came rushing out to greet them, her expression lighting up with excitement.
“Naomi! Tyler!” she called warmly.
Naomi smiled as she was wheeled forward. “What’s cooking, Mom? It smells amazing out here.”
Hillary grinned. “All your favorites, of course.” Then her eyes shifted to Tyler. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here with Naomi today.”
Tyler nodded, his expression neutral. “She wanted some home-cooked food, so I brought her over. Hope that’s alright.”
His tone was calm, polite—but noticeably reserved.
“You’re not bothering us at all,” Hillary assured him. “We’re happy to have you both.”
Darren, standing nearby, added quickly, “Come inside with Naomi, Tyler.”
Without protest, Tyler followed Naomi through the front door.
As the familiar warmth of the Jones home enveloped her, Naomi looked around with a deep breath and said, “Mom, can I have some soup? I’ve been craving it.”
“Of course, sweetie,” Hillary replied, already heading toward the kitchen.
Darren offered awkwardly, “I’ll make some tea for you, Tyler.”
“Thanks,” Tyler responded with the same courteous tone, accepting the offer.
Naomi took in the cozy space—the scent of fresh herbs and simmering broth, the distant clatter of pots in the kitchen. After weeks in the sterile quiet of a hospital, it felt like breathing again.
She looked at Tyler with a grateful smile. “Thanks for staying by my side. It really means a lot that you came with me today.”
Though he’d been emotionally distant lately, Tyler never neglected her physical needs. He replied evenly, “As long as you’re happy.”
“Am I taking too much of your time?” she asked softly.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Her face lit up. “It feels like old times, being back here.”
Tyler said nothing, lowering himself onto the couch, quiet and unreadable.
A few minutes later, Darren returned, carefully carrying a cup of freshly brewed tea. “Here—try this, Tyler. I made it myself. Hope you like it.”
Tyler accepted it with a nod. “You don’t need to be so formal with me.”
Naomi, watching from her wheelchair, couldn’t help but smile. Even after everything, Tyler still treated her family with dignity and respect. It warmed her heart.
To her, it was proof that he still cared—proof that there was still a place for her in his life.
And that small hope, however fragile, meant everything.