The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 1798

Ida returned McNeil's smile and took a seat on the chair that Byran pulled out for her. Sadly, she had no idea what to say.

What was there to say?

What on earth did Bryan bring her here for?

The awkward silence was broken when Bryan pulled up a chair next to her.

"Dad! Guess where we went just now?"

McNeil let out a gentle chuckle and shook his head. "Where did you go?"

Bryan grinned proudly at his dad. "We just went out to eat with Ellinor!"

McNeil looked surprised, and an envious gleam appeared in his eyes. "Is that so? What did you have? Did she enjoy it?"

Bryan shrugged. "We had sushi. It was okay, I guess."

The light in McNeil's eyes softened further. "What does she usually like to eat? Does she still have a sweet tooth like when she was a kid?"

He directed the question at Ida. He knew from Bryan that Ida had known Ellinor for many years, and they were very close friends.

Ida shook her head. "We couldn't afford sweets often when we were kids. She doesn't care for them much now."

After hearing Ida say that they couldn't even afford small treats when they were kids, a wave of guilt hit McNeil hard. "It's all my fault..."

Ida said nothing more. She knew how to be polite, but she couldn't bring herself to lie.

Indeed, it was all his fault.

He hadn't been a good father.

Noticing that his dad's mood had dropped, Bryan quickly changed the topic. "Dad! You've finished your IV and medication. You're looking good! How about Ida and I take you out to the garden for some fresh air?"

Bryan grinned like a dog. "No matter why, it still makes me happy."

Ida adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, choosing to ignore him.

Just then, they passed a few nurses pushing a bed.

A woman lay on the bed, still hooked up to an IV, but her head was bowed, so they couldn't see her face.

Ida only glanced at her casually. She was not really paying attention, but when she saw Bertha and Lea trailing behind the bed, her expression changed.

Was that Thaddeus' wife and daughter? What were they doing here?

DING!

"Ida, what are you daydreaming about? The elevator's here."