My Disabled CEO Husband

Chapter Four

Christian Blake was never one to indulge in sentimentality. The world he inhabited was one of steel, of meetings, of tough decisions made in boardrooms where emotions didn’t have a place. He preferred control, precision, and predictability. But over the past few weeks, he found himself in unfamiliar territory, stumbling through moments that defied the cold walls he’d so carefully built around himself.

One of those moments came the day after Dr. Carter’s visit.

Christian had been busy with work, managing the intricacies of his family’s business, but the words exchanged with Elena lingered in his mind. She hadn’t pressed him—she hadn’t demanded an answer—but the sincerity in her voice had stayed with him, as had the subtle offer of hope she had presented.

It wasn’t just the surgery. It was the possibility of something more—a chance at redemption, a shot at standing up again, both literally and figuratively.

It was a Saturday morning when the subtle shift in Christian’s perception began to take shape. The usual routine unfolded: breakfast with Liam, a little bit of paperwork, and a quiet morning in the garden. But there was something different this time.

Liam, as usual, bounded into the room with the unrestrained energy that only children could have. His tiny hands clutched a drawing, which he eagerly presented to Christian.

“Look, look!” Liam’s voice rang with excitement. “This is you and me! Superheroes!”

Christian, who had been sipping his coffee in silence, put the mug down and glanced at the drawing. His eyes softened without him realizing it. The crayon strokes were bold and childlike—there they were, both figures flying together in a blue sky, dressed in capes. Liam had even drawn a small heart near them, symbolizing something Christian couldn’t fully understand but knew was important.

Christian swallowed, trying to push down the emotion that stirred within him. He wasn’t used to being seen in this light. He was a protector, a guardian, but to be drawn like this—like a hero—was a far cry from how he saw himself.

“Is that so?” Christian asked with a slight chuckle, his tone a little gruff, though it wasn’t as harsh as it had been in the past.

Liam nodded fervently, his eyes wide. “Yeah! You always protect me! You’re the best daddy ever!”

The words caught him off guard. Daddy.

Christian felt his chest tighten. He had heard it before, a few times now—Liam calling him that without even a second thought. At first, he had thought it was a passing slip of the tongue, a child’s confusion. But the more Liam said it, the more Christian realized that the boy genuinely saw him as his father.

It was a title Christian had never imagined for himself, not after the tragedy that had claimed his brother’s life. And yet here he was, being asked to fill shoes he wasn’t sure he could ever truly wear.

Before he could respond, the sound of the doorbell interrupted his thoughts.

When Christian opened the door, he found Elena standing there, a soft smile on her face. Behind her was Liam, tugging at her hand, practically pulling her into the house.

“Dr. Carter,” Christian said, his voice neutral, though he felt a strange flutter in his chest at seeing her again.

“Christian,” she said warmly, but there was something different in the way she greeted him this time—more like a friend than a professional. She had come by to check on Liam and maybe offer a little advice about his health. But today, it felt more like a visit than a checkup.

Liam, as always, greeted her with unbridled enthusiasm. “Dr. Carter! Look at my drawing! It’s you and me, we’re flying together!”

Christian watched as Elena crouched down to Liam’s level, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she took in the drawing.

“That’s a wonderful picture, Liam,” she said, her voice gentle and encouraging. Christian observed how effortlessly Elena connected with his nephew. There was a natural ease in the way she spoke to him, the way she knelt to meet him at his eye level, showing genuine interest in his world.

Christian had never been great at this kind of thing—connecting with children in a way that made them feel seen and heard. He didn’t know how to be the warm, playful figure that Elena was to Liam. He only knew how to provide and protect. But watching them together, it dawned on him that perhaps there was more to being a father than simply providing.

Liam tugged at Elena’s hand, urging her to come sit with them. She smiled, obliging, and the three of them sat together at the breakfast table. Christian couldn’t help but notice how natural Elena looked in this setting. She wasn’t just a doctor—she was someone who could make Liam feel safe, who could brighten the boy’s day with just a few kind words.

As the morning wore on, Christian found himself watching them more closely. Elena leaned in to ask Liam about his schoolwork, her tone light and engaging. She encouraged him to take his vitamins, but there was no pressure in her voice—only the kind of gentle insistence that children respond to.

And Liam? He adored her. It was clear in the way he hung on her every word, the way his face lit up when she praised him. He wasn’t just drawn to her because she was an adult figure in his life—there was something more. Something that Christian couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Later, when Elena and Liam were out of the room, Christian sat by the window, staring out into the garden. He hadn’t realized how much he’d been affected by the way they clicked together. It was like watching someone paint a picture in front of him, a picture of a life he had never truly allowed himself to dream of—a life where love and affection were as much a part of his world as his ambition and responsibilities.

Christian thought of his brother and sister-in-law again, of their sudden departure, and of how he had promised to take care of Liam, to shield him from the pain of loss. But how could he promise that when he himself was barely holding it together? How could he be the hero in Liam’s story if he wasn’t even sure he could stand up for himself?

Elena’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Christian, are you okay?”

He turned to find her standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” he replied, though his voice was softer than he intended. “I’m just... thinking.”

“You’re doing that a lot lately,” she observed with a small, knowing smile. “You’ve got a lot on your plate.”

“I do,” he replied, his gaze flickering to Liam, who was playing with his toys on the floor. “It’s not easy, being a father figure.”

Elena’s smile faltered slightly, and she stepped closer. “I know it’s hard. But you’re doing your best, and Liam... he needs you. You don’t have to be perfect. He just needs you to be there.”

Christian didn’t respond immediately, his mind wrestling with the truth of her words. Could he really be the person Liam needed him to be?

As the day wore on, Christian found himself more and more drawn to the idea of the surgery that Elena had suggested. But there was something else in his mind, something he hadn’t shared with her yet.

As they sat together in the evening, after Liam had gone to bed, Christian turned to Elena, his voice low. “There’s something I need from you, Dr. Carter. Something I’m asking for before I agree to the surgery.”

She looked at him, puzzled, her brow furrowing slightly. “What do you mean?”

“Before I let you help me,” he said slowly, “I need you to marry me.”

Elena’s eyes widened, her mouth parting in surprise. “What?” she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and disbelief.

“I’m serious,” Christian said, his gaze steady, though there was a hardness in his eyes. “I’m asking you to marry me. If you want me to go through with the surgery, I need your commitment. You’ll be tied to me, tied to Liam, for better or worse.”