The Disabled Billionaire is My Husband

[3]

“How do you feel about living here, Larrisa?”

Through the corner of my eye, I could appraise the image of the woman named Lisa Rapael-the aunt of Seth Rapael. She looked graceful and elegant at the same time. Typical of a rich woman who looks down on others. Reminds me of someone I'd like to get rid of from the memories in my head.

We were together, enjoying green tea made by one of the waiters and tasting cookies that Lisa said she made herself. But if I may make a comment, the woman I was talking to would never do such a troublesome thing.

“I'm... still a bit surprised.” I revealed the truth. In just a week's time, my life changed. I used to sleep in a room that was so cramped that even just to put my clothes and bag, it was difficult to sleep comfortably. I was given a room that was originally used as a warehouse. When I protested because Cressa was with me, mom and dad scolded me.

While here, my room is really spacious. I can't believe I'm living in a room like that even in my dreams, I could never imagine it.

“ I still have to adapt,” I said again.

Instantly Lisa chuckled, a small, mocking laugh. “Adapt? Larisa, that's a small price to pay for such good fortune. Not everyone gets a man like Seth as a husband, you know?”

Her words pierced me like a needle even though it was the reality I had to swallow. I just smiled faintly, reluctant to respond further. Lisa leaned back comfortably in her chair. Her eyes were slightly closed as if enjoying the afternoon breeze.

“You know,” she said with a glance at me, ”this arranged marriage was actually my father's - Seth's grandfather's - greatest wish. Seth was his favorite grandson. He wanted Seth to have someone who could take good care of him, especially under these conditions."

I nodded slowly. It was a reasonable enough reason that Lisa and her husband-Gideon Rapael-had told me. Although it didn't sound like force, there was an urgency that required this marriage to happen. It didn't matter if the bride was changed.

The only thing that made me agree was Cressa's medical expenses. There was nothing I needed more than that.

“And because of that, you must take good care of him.” The words were accompanied by a look that I couldn't quite understand. It seemed warm and caring but on the other hand, there was a darkness that was truly terrifying.

Because of that too, I turned my eyes in either direction. “By the way... how is your daughter?” Lisa's cup, which was still savoring its contents, was put down slowly. But for some reason I felt that the previous conversation was just a simple pleasantries. And this was the point of the conversation I had to have with Lisa.

“It cannot be said to be stable yet because it is still under intensive monitoring. But it has been moved to the nursing room. If possible, next week the blood transfusion will be done again.”

Lisa just nodded slowly, as if my explanation meant nothing to her. It doesn't matter, I'm just telling you what my daughter's condition is like. For the sake of me always remembering, if she is the most important thing in my memory.

“Don't worry. I've already spoken to the doctor treating your daughter at the hospital. We will cover all of her medical expenses, as long as...”

I turned my head quickly. “As long as what?” I asked suspiciously. “Isn't Mr. Seth going to pay for it?”

Lisa laughed amusedly. “What's the difference between Seth and me? I'm your husband's aunt. There are many things I manage including some of Seth's personal property." She supported her face with both hands. Her eyes looked at me without breaking. Making me suddenly attacked with quite a nervousness.

“What... you don't trust me?”

“Ah, it's not that Mrs. Lisa. It's just that...”

“You don't have to worry about much,” Lisa interrupted unceremoniously. “As long as you do what I want - take good care of Seth, my precious nephew, you and your daughter can live a good life. Your daughter's medication costs a lot of money, right?”

I nodded slowly.

“Help me take good care of Seth and do one simple thing.”

In that instant my mind jumped to various conclusions. They want me to give the Rapael family offspring to keep Seth's family line going? With Seth in this condition? My thoughts were wild yet frightening. I shook my head softly to dismiss all this madness that had entered my head. I braced myself to hear the request, but what Lisa said next took my breath away.

“You just need to make sure Seth takes this medicine,” she said, pulling out a small bottle of pills from her bag. "It's a doctor's recommendation. It will help Seth during his therapy.”

I stared at the bottle with furrowed brows. Scrutinizing the bottle closely where there were no instructions written on it. The bottle was still sealed intact.

“Seth is used to taking this medicine. You don't have to worry about it. It's just that sometimes my poor nephew always ignores it. And you, as his wife, have to make sure he takes it. Not a difficult task, is it?”

Although there was still some doubt there but I tried to understand Lisa's words just now. Even so, I couldn't help but ask. “Why don't you give it to him yourself?” I asked carefully.

Lisa gave a small smile. "Seth is not an easy person to handle. That's why I've been pushing this marriage a bit. Who knows, your being there for him might make him change a little. And obey the wishes of those of us who are always worried about him to continue taking the medicine.”

I paused, thinking with eyes that never left the bottle in my hand.

“Just think about Cressa's treatment and her recovery. On behalf of the Rapael family, I'm just asking for a little help from you. Is it difficult?”

I was thinking. Part of me felt like this was absurd, but Lisa's offer was too tempting to refuse. If it was for Cressa, I would do anything. “Alright,” I finally replied. “I'll make sure Mr. Seth drinks it.”

Lisa smiled with satisfaction. “Good. You made a wise decision, Larisa.”

***

I counted the medicine I was given, and there were exactly 30 of them. Lisa said that next month she would give it again according to the recommended dosage. Seth only needs to take one grain per day. It's not a difficult job, but this is the first time I'll be interacting with the man with ocean-blue eyes.

Ever since I came to this mansion, I hadn't seen Seth. The servants said he was busy working in his room. If I needed anything, just tell the servants. He really treats me as a stranger in this house.

That's why I felt nervous.

“Never mind, I have to get this job done. It's not that hard, is it?” I muttered as I hurried to the kitchen. Preparing a glass of water for Seth to easily drink later.

But how surprised I was to see Seth trying to stand up. Reaching for something not far from the shelf in the kitchen. The slightest wrong movement, he could fall down. Even so, my legs couldn't immediately move because in front of me... someone seemed to be struggling. So that he doesn't have to rely on a wheelchair all the time.

His gaze was focused on what he wanted to achieve. His body movements that were trying to be as careful as possible. And his strong will to keep moving forward.

Unfortunately...

“Mr. Seth!” I called out in panic, immediately running over to him. The movement of his legs was too stiff, making the hand that should have been able to reach the edge of the table, instead just fell off. Seth fell down with a painful sound. I could hear the man's cry of pain. “Sir... are you alright?”

He turned his head, a pained yet stern look on his face. “Don't come any closer,” he said coldly.

I didn't care. I continued to approach and tried to help her. Supporting the body immediately despite the difficulty. Oh, my goodness! At a time like this where are all the servants who are always in this house? Couldn't they have immediately known that something had happened in the kitchen? “Come on, I'll help you back into the wheelchair,” I said as I tried my best to support her. "Gosh, what do you want on the racks? You could have called for help. You could have been seriously injured!” I grumbled involuntarily.

Seth snorted. “I don't need your help.”

I ignored him. It was hard but I managed to get him back into the wheelchair. My eyes immediately scanned in case any part of him was injured.

“Go away,” he said still with a cold tone. The look in his eyes was annoyed.

“You seem to have sprained your leg.” I rubbed lightly at the part that seemed to have been injured in the fall earlier. “See? It's swollen,” I said.

“I don't need your help!” Seth immediately turned the wheel of his chair. Moving quickly to get away from me. But I couldn't leave it at that.

“You need a massage in this area,” I said trying to be patient. “Let me give you a light massage here.”

“I said, don't touch me!” his voice was loud, but I didn't flinch.

“I'm just trying to help,” I replied softly. “Please, let me do it.”

I again heard a grunt of displeasure. His face was no longer looking at me either. Since the man was no longer speaking, I assumed he had agreed to my request.

“Tell me if I'm being too rough with the pressure here,” I said, starting to focus on Seth's legs. There was no protest from his mouth except for the occasional small whimper. Maybe when he fell earlier, his leg was really in the wrong position.

“Well, it's done.” I smiled slightly hoping to ease the pain Seth was suffering. “If you allow me, I can give you some therapy to help you walk again.”

“I don't need it,” Seth said simply. “And I won't thank you for it.”

I tried to be patient. Facing many customers with various characters trained me to be really patient.

“Oh, can you really move your toes?”

That remark made Seth stare at me with an unreadable look.

“Haven't you noticed, Mr. Seth?”

Seth still didn't make a sound.

“Try it, just move it a little.”

Whether it was a miracle or something had happened, Seth's thumb tip responded with a small movement. It was very small but it was already able to make Seth stare with a teary gaze. It was as if it was what he had been waiting for.

Because of this situation too, I immediately handed him the medicine I had intended to give him. “Drink this, Mr. Seth. I heard that this medicine also helps you to recover quickly. I'll give you a regular massage so that it can stimulate your leg muscles to become less stiff. You don't have any problem with that, do you?"