Mr.Richard Only Loves Me

chapter 6

Ayria thought that if there were a ranking for the husband who handled mother-in-law relationships the worst, Richard would undoubtedly take the top spot. If she was the brave little warrior unafraid of authority, did that mean Ella Tully was the authority?

After a moment, she realized that the most unpredictable thing in the world must be a woman's heart. When she expected Ella to fly into a rage and scold Richard while giving her the cold shoulder, Ella just glared at Richard and said angrily, "Stop talking nonsense."

It was not surprising that Ella couldn't really get angry. Richard had a unique way of handling things. He had always been more mature and sensible than others, bearing the burden of being the eldest son of the Tully family. His calm demeanor reassured the family, though it made him somewhat distant and less affectionate.

Ella was used to her son being strict and proper with her, so seeing him trying to lighten the mood with a few uncharacteristically playful remarks was quite refreshing.

Ayria was still worried about what Ella had said earlier about Richard being ill. Her eyes scanned him, trying to discern where he might be unwell.

Richard pulled her to sit beside him on the sofa and said softly, "What's wrong?"

Ayria asked in a low voice, "Are you sick?"

Richard had already guessed why Ella had called Ayria home when he heard Ella's earlier words. He frowned, not because of Ella, but because his illness was supposed to be private. He hadn't intended to tell anyone, and now not only did his mother know, but Ayria did too.

Seeing him silent, Ayria gently hooked his little finger with hers. Her fair little finger intertwined with his.

Richard suddenly recalled the first time she accompanied him back to the Tully family. The elders knew they had secretly gotten married, making it clear it was a tense meeting. She appeared calm and composed, handling the elders' questions methodically without showing any panic or fear. When Old Tully struck the ground with his cane heavily, the thudding sound was frightening because there was no carpet.

Richard wasn't scared; he had grown up with his grandfather and was used to being disciplined. He didn't care, but the person beside him was very worried. In front of the elders, Ayria couldn't comfort him openly, so she discreetly hooked his little finger with hers.

Even someone as cold as Richard had his heart melted by this gesture. He knew she was worried about him.

This small gesture became their little secret. Every time they returned to the Tully family mansion, they couldn't avoid a scolding session. The elders, maintaining their dignity, couldn't bring themselves to scold Ayria directly, as she was the daughter-in-law and not the same as a son. Whenever Richard lowered his head to listen, Ayria would hook his little finger, as if to comfort him.

Seeing her frowning with worry, Richard chuckled, "It's nothing, don't worry."

"This is nothing?" Ella couldn't help raising her voice, feeling like the bad guy.

Since the matter was out in the open, Ella looked at Ayria and said coldly, "Richard has been having skin allergies recently, and he saw Professor Liu about it. Don't think I'm spying on my son; it was a coincidence that I ran into Professor Liu today. He mentioned it to me, and that's how I found out."

The Tully family had been back in California for decades, but some old habits from their time in London remained. For example, family members' health was always monitored by a designated doctor. Professor Liu was Richard's doctor, and his wife was in the same charity association as Ella. The families were close. It was indeed a coincidence today. With an upcoming donation to a mountainous area next month, Ella went to visit. Mrs. Liu was there too, and they left together. Ella ran into Professor Liu, who had come to pick up his wife, and they chatted for a bit.

Richard's health had always been something Ella was informed about. So, Professor

Liu happened to mention Richard's allergies over the past few days.

Richard frowned, "It's just an allergy. Is it worth all this fuss?"

Ella's concern for him was genuine, but her good intentions were not appreciated, making her appear to be the bad guy. Her mild anger turned into irritation as she said coldly, "Yes, it's just an allergy, but do you even know your own condition? When you first had an allergic reaction due to the humidity in California, I wanted to dry the entire house."

Ayria turned to Richard, finally understanding. No wonder he had been restless in his sleep these past few nights. Usually, he slept peacefully and quietly.

Ayria felt a pang of guilt. It had been raining continuously in California, with hardly any sunshine. Their house was old, narrow, and damp. Even with new bed sheets and quilts, the bed always felt damp. Realizing this, she looked at Ella and said softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't know Richard was allergic."

Ella looked at her for a long time before sighing and saying, "I'm not trying to lecture you, but since you and Richard are married, shouldn't you both be accommodating each other? You can't always expect him to make all the concessions. Moreover, moving to a new place wouldn't be a hardship for you, would it?"

Ella's speech, filled with reason and a hint of reprimand, implied that Ayria was being ungrateful.

Ayria listened without getting angry. From a mother's perspective, Ella's criticism was not unjustified.

Richard had always been high above. If it weren't for Ayria, he wouldn't have even set foot on the street of their damp little house, let alone live there.

Ayria looked at Ella and said earnestly, "I will have Richard move back."

She was referring to Richard, not mentioning herself.

Ella was infuriated, thinking Ayria's attitude was impenetrable and unyielding.

But then Ayria added, "You know our family situation. My father has been missing for six years. What if he comes back one day? California is so big. I have to stay home, or he won't find his way back."

Ella was stunned.

Ayria spoke sincerely, without trying to evoke pity. From the time she started taking care of her grandmother alone, she had never complained to anyone. Even her college roommates, who had lived with her for four years, didn't know her family situation.

She didn't need others' pity because she would handle everything herself.

When her mother was gone, her father promised to take care of her and her grandmother. Now that her father was missing, even without a word from him, she would still take care of her grandmother.

In the end, Ella couldn't bring herself to trouble her further. As a parent herself, Ayria's words touched her heart. If Ayria hadn't married Richard, Ella might have admired this girl. Despite facing life's hardships early on, she wasn't defeated, remained independent, and strong.

Night fell, and the lights under the porch illuminated the outside. The rain fell steadily, creating a poetic scene. The driver had already pulled the car to the door, waiting. Richard took Ayria by the wrist and walked over.

As the car gradually drove out of the Tully family estate, Ayria looked back at the deep courtyard.

Richard, perhaps tired from a day's work, leaned back in the car, looking particularly weary.

Seeing this, Ayria let him rest with his eyes closed without disturbing him. The car slowly stopped at the alley entrance, as it was too narrow for the car to pass through. They always got out and walked the rest of the way.

Richard got out first, took the umbrella from the driver, walked to the other side, and opened the door.

As Ayria got out of the car, he immediately held her close. She stood at 1.7 meters tall, quite slender, but Mr. Tully's naturally tall and well-built frame made her look petite.

Once home, Ayria changed her shoes and stood in the living room.

Richard followed a step behind her. Seeing her standing there, he turned and said, "I'm sorry."

Ayria's voice was hoarse. She was usually calm and distant, but she was deeply affected by the people she cared about.

Richard hadn't told her about his allergies, and she hadn't noticed.

Her eyes were unusually red, and her almond-shaped eyes were gradually misting. She wasn't someone who easily cried, but this situation pierced Richard's heart like a fine needle.

"Star," he called her nickname.

Ayria looked at him and hugged him. "I'm sorry, I didn't even notice you were sick."

Richard knew she was genuinely sorry. He quickly patted her back to comfort her, saying, "I'm fine. Really, I'm fine."

Ayria slowly raised her head from his embrace and said, "It's not that I'm stubborn or don't consider you."

"I just want to wait for my dad to come back."

After saying this, Ayria's gaze fell on a photo on the wall, taken about ten years ago. The photo showed a happy family of three, with young parents and a girl of about ten.

But now, standing here, was a twenty-four-year-old Ayria.

No parents.

In their dorm room, the girls loved to talk about relationships. Ayria's roommate, Chen Chen, once asked if they believed in love. They were all surprised when Ayria, who usually seemed indifferent to boys, firmly said, "Yes."

Of course, she was born into such a family. How could she not believe?

James Will and Perla Luca met in college. James Will was from Europe, and Perla Luca was a native Californian. They met on the university campus, both young and excellent, naturally attracted to each other.

James Will was handsome in his youth, taller than most of his classmates.

Perla Luca was outstanding too, the belle of the journalism department, with a pure and charming demeanor.

Perla's Californian parents didn't oppose their relationship despite James Will being from a small place. They got married with their parents' blessings.

Before Ayria was born, they were a loving couple. After Ayria was born, they were a family admired by all.

However, a seemingly perfect life often has unexpected turns. When Ayria was six, Perla Luca fell ill and was bedridden until her death. James Will loved her unconditionally, taking care of her with great devotion.

Even Ayria's grandmother once said that in caring for her mother, no one could match James Will's attentiveness.

When Ayria was ten, Perla Luca spent almost all her time in the hospital. Despite James Will's efforts, he couldn't save her.

The day Perla Luca passed away, the hospital staff feared for James Will. Everyone had seen how devotedly he cared for his wife, trying to keep her alive. He didn't cry until the day of the burial. That was the first time Ayria saw her father cry like that, lying on her mother's grave, sobbing uncontrollably.

After her mother left, her father focused on taking care of her and her grandmother.

In Ayria's second year of high school, her grandmother suffered a stroke and underwent surgery. Her father spared no effort to save her grandmother, treating her like his own mother even after her daughter's death.

Despite a successful surgery, her grandmother was left bedridden. During Ayria's high school years, their finances were tight. James Will decided to accept an overseas assignment for a year to support the family.

What was supposed to be a one-year assignment extended to another year. Then, news of her father ceased.

He went missing abroad.

As Ayria snapped out of her memories from the old photo, she looked at Richard and said softly, "My father told me that my grandfather named my mother Perla."

"He said my mother was my grandfather's precious pearl, and I was his little star."

"So he named me Star."

Now the star remains, but where is the hand that used to hold it?