Chapter 7
1024 Words
Emma blinked. "You mean... personally?"
Earlier, she had accompanied Rita to visit her mother, and they both returned to the villa together. At Rita's mother's villa, Emma caught a glimpse of Daniel, and she couldn't stop thinking about how someone can look so hot even in a wheelchair. As she waited outside for Rita, she kept staring at Daniel through the transparent glass at the Veranda.
Rita laughed softly. "It's the least I can do."
Jay smiled warmly. "Then allow us to help."
The kitchen soon became lively.
Jay expertly prepared the ingredients while the maids assisted Rita.
Laughter occasionally filled the room.
For the first time since entering the villa, it actually felt warm. Nearly an hour later, several delicious dishes covered the dining table.
Rita wiped her hands with satisfaction. "I hope he'll like them."
Just then...
The sound of a car engine echoed outside.
"Young Master is home," Jay announced.
Everyone straightened immediately.
Donald entered moments later.
His tie had already been loosened.
Dark circles lingered beneath his eyes.
He looked exhausted.
The maids greeted him in unison.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
Donald merely gave a small nod.
His gaze briefly swept across the dining table before continuing toward the staircase.
Without saying a word, he disappeared upstairs.
Rita frowned slightly. "He didn't even eat."
Jay sighed. "It happens often. He works too much."
"You should check on him, Madam."
Rita immediately shook her head.
"I can't." She knew deep down in her that entering his room like this is literally going against the rules.
She lowered her gaze.
"You are his wife; you have more power than us", Jay pushed forward.
Rita remained uncertain, if only they knew she wasn't a real wife but also working for him just like them.
Just then, her eyes suddenly widened. "The notebook..."
She gasped softly. "I forgot to return it this morning." She muttered silently. Her fingers tightened around the leather cover she had absentmindedly carried all day.
"This is the perfect opportunity." She said to herself.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way upstairs. She stopped outside Donald's room.
The door was slightly ajar.
"Mr. Hart?"
No response.
"I... I'm returning your notebook."
Still nothing.
She slowly pushed the door open.
Darkness greeted her.
Unlike every brightly lit room in the villa...
Donald's bedroom was completely dark. Only faint moonlight seeped through the curtains.
Rita carefully stepped inside, afraid of tripping over something. "Mr. Hart?"
"I know you said not to enter. But I forgot to return your notebook earlier."
"I will just leave it on your desk and..."
A low, painful groan interrupted her.
Rita froze.
The sound came from the bed.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She quickly switched on the flashlight on her phone and followed the sound, only to stop in shock.
Donald lay tangled in the bedsheets. His eyes were tightly shut, and his breathing was ragged.
Sweat soaked his forehead and shirt, while his entire body trembled as though fighting an invisible enemy.
Rita instinctively took a step forward.
Then stopped.
She remembered the contract.
She remembered the boundaries.
She wasn't supposed to interfere.
Clutching the notebook tightly, she slowly turned toward the door. Yet no matter how hard she tried...
Her conscience refused to let her walk away.
Rita stood frozen at the doorway. Her fingers tightened around the notebook. She had every reason to leave.
Their marriage was nothing more than a contract.
Donald had made the boundaries clear.
She wasn't supposed to involve herself in his personal life.
Yet...
Looking at the man lying helplessly before her, she couldn't bring herself to walk away.
With a quiet sigh, she placed the notebook on the bedside table. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hart, it's for your own good."
She slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
Tentatively, she reached for his trembling hand.
The moment their hands touched, she felt how cold his skin had become.
His fingers twitched violently.
Rita's heart tightened. "You're having a nightmare..."
She wasn't sure if he could hear her.
Using the edge of her sleeve, she carefully wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.
"It's alright."
"You're safe."
Her voice was barely above a whisper. "There isn't anyone here who will hurt you. I'm here with you"
Donald's breathing remained uneven.
His brows stayed tightly knitted together as though he were trapped somewhere he couldn't escape.
Rita gently squeezed his hand.
"It's okay..."
"You'll be alright."
Little by little.. His trembling began to lessen. His breathing gradually steadied.
Seeing him calm down, Rita let out a relieved sigh.
"I should go now..." She couldn't afford to let him see her in his room. At least, if she helps him quietly without letting him know.
She slowly tried to withdraw her hand.
Suddenly, a strong grip wrapped around her wrist. Before she could react, Donald pulled her forward. Rita lost her balance and fell onto the bed beside him.
"W-What...?" She instinctively tried to sit up.
But Donald's arm had already wrapped around her waist.
His grip wasn't forceful enough to hurt her, yet it was impossible to escape without struggling.
"Mr. Hart?" She gently pushed against his shoulder. "You can let go now." Her heart was beating faster than ever. Apart from being scared of Donald, that will be her first time getting close to a man.
There was no response.
His eyes remained tightly shut.
Only then did Rita realize...
He still wasn't awake.
She stopped resisting.
Donald unconsciously buried his face against her shoulder.
His brows slowly relaxed for the first time that night.
Then... His lips moved. "Please don't..."
His voice cracked painfully. "Don't leave..." His tears dropped straight on Rita's forehead.
She froze.
He tightened his embrace slightly. "Please..."
His words sounded so broken... So desperate... "Stay with me..."
The room fell silent.
Rita looked down at the man who was feared by countless people in the business world.
At this moment, he looked nothing like the cold, untouchable Donald Hart.
He seemed so lonely. Her heart softened.
Very carefully, she raised her free hand and gently patted his back.
"I'm not going anywhere.”
- Writer
