COLD DEMEANOR
1452 Words
"Sweetheart, what's wrong? Why are you so quiet?" Soraya asked as she wrapped her arms around Alan, who lay awake on the edge of the bed.
"It's nothing, sweetheart. I'm just not used to living in darkness yet," Alan replied flatly.
Soraya tightened her embrace and rested her head against his back.
"I'll be your light, my husband. Don't be afraid. We'll get through this together."
Alan's eyes filled with tears.
If only you truly meant those words. I would have been grateful to have such a perfect wife, the woman I loved with all my heart. But the mark on your neck and the way you looked at Tyson destroyed all of that, Soraya.
Stay blind, Alan. It'll make things much easier for Tyson and me.
Emily couldn't stop thinking about what she had witnessed earlier.
Soraya and Tyson.
The intimacy they had shared.
How could Sister Soraya betray Mr. Alan like that? With her own husband's best friend? Or did I somehow see it wrong?
She unlocked her phone and stared at the photo of Alan sleeping beside her at the clinic. His peaceful face brought an unexpected sense of comfort.
"Dear God, please help this good man, the father of my child. Take away all the hardships in his life."
With tear-filled eyes, Emily gently stroked Alan's face on the screen.
"Where did I drop that keychain?"
Tyson searched every corner of the house for his favorite keychain.
He tried to remember the last place he had his car keys.
Could I have dropped it at Alan's house?
He sat on the sofa and sipped the hot chocolate Emily had made.
"Emily, would you pour the hot chocolate into my tumbler?"
He handed her his favorite travel mug.
"Of course, Doctor."
Emily accepted it with a puzzled expression.
She must be wondering why I'm acting like this. Her hot chocolate is so good that I've forgotten what anyone else's tastes like.
Tyson smiled as he slowly savored every sip.
**
"My husband, why do you trust Soraya so much?" Mrs. Vior asked while removing her makeup in front of the vanity.
"Of course I trust our daughter-in-law. Isn't a daughter-in-law the same as a daughter?" Mr. Horison replied casually.
"You're right."
Mrs. Vior chuckled.
"Our daughter-in-law actually resembles you a little. Anyone who saw the two of you might think Soraya is your biological daughter."
Mr. Horison laughed.
"She is the daughter I abandoned."
"I'm already looking forward to holding our grandchild."
A broad smile spread across his face.
"I wonder whether the baby will look more like the father or the mother."
"I don't care who the baby resembles."
Mrs. Vior smiled warmly.
"Both parents are beautiful. I only pray the baby is born healthy and lives a long life. I'll give that child everything I have."
"Emily, starting today you'll be taking care of Mr. Alan. I have to go to the office and handle my husband's responsibilities while he's recovering. All of his medication is in this box, along with the meal plan recommended by his doctor."
Soraya pointed to the box on the bedside table.
Emily nodded.
"Y... yes, Sister. I'll take good care of Mr. Alan."
"Sweetheart, I'm leaving for the office."
Soraya gently kissed Alan's cheek before walking out.
"Drive safely, sweetheart," Alan replied, staring blankly ahead.
Emily looked at him with sympathy.
"Sir, I'm going to make smoked salmon sandwiches for breakfast. I'll help you back to your room so you can rest while I prepare everything."
She carefully guided him forward as he relied on his cane.
Alan quietly observed her gentle manner.
I'm sorry, Emily. You should be focusing on your pregnancy. But I can't hire an ordinary housekeeper to work here. It's too risky. I need to find out what Soraya and Tyson are planning.
Emily glanced at him before leaving the room.
She headed straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Dear God... it hurts to see Mr. Alan like this. His smile is gone. Even his spirit isn't the same anymore.
Soraya didn't go directly to the office.
Instead, she stopped by Tyson's clinic.
"Sweetheart."
She whispered into Tyson's ear while he concentrated on reviewing medical reports from the previous night.
"Well, hello, sweetheart."
Tyson looked up, visibly impressed.
"You look absolutely stunning today. What brings you here so early?"
"Don't tell me you forgot."
Soraya smiled confidently.
"Today's my first day as Acting Vice President."
Tyson laughed before pulling out a small jewelry box.
"As if I'd forget."
Soraya opened the box.
Inside was a delicate bracelet.
"You're the best."
Without thinking, she kissed Tyson's cheek.
"Sweetheart, we're at the clinic."
Tyson quickly glanced around, looking nervous.
The two of them burst into laughter.
Tyson fastened the bracelet around Soraya's right wrist.
"Sir, breakfast is ready."
Emily carried in a tray with two salmon sandwiches.
"Please feed me."
Alan's request caught her off guard.
"O... okay."
Emily awkwardly lifted a sandwich to his mouth.
As he ate, she couldn't help staring at his handsome face.
This is the first time I've ever looked at Mr. Alan this closely. Why does my heart ache so much when I look into his eyes? They're completely empty. He must still be struggling to adjust to the darkness.
Before she realized it, tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
Emily... she's crying?
Is she exhausted from taking care of me while she's pregnant and only recently discharged from the hospital?
"Emily."
Alan turned toward her.
"Are you crying?"
She hurriedly wiped her face.
"How did you know?"
"I may be blind, Emily, but I'm not deaf."
His voice was calm and sincere.
"I can hear you crying, even if you're trying to hide it. If you're tired, go get some rest. I'm sorry my condition has become such a burden for you."
Emily's eyes reddened once more.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Alan. It breaks my heart to see you like this. Forgive me if I'm overstepping by grieving over what happened to you. Maybe it's because of the baby I'm carrying. I've never felt burdened by taking care of you. I truly want to help."
Alan was silent.
She feels this sorry for me? She's crying this much because of me?
He slowly reached out until his fingertips found her face.
Gently, he wiped away her tears.
"I'm sorry, Emily. I should be the one protecting you. I promise I'll recover completely. All you need to do is take care of our child and make sure our baby grows safely."
Emily broke down completely.
She remembered the countless days she had spent worrying while Alan lay unconscious in the ICU after the accident.
"Thank you, sir."
Her voice trembled.
"Thank you for surviving. I've been so worried about you ever since I heard you were in the ICU. Thank you for coming back safely."
Alan pulled Emily into a gentle embrace and softly rubbed her back.
Mr. Horison and Mrs. Vior warmly welcomed Soraya's arrival at the company.
To celebrate her appointment, they organized a reception attended by every director and shareholder.
"For the time being, Alan Horison's responsibilities as Executive Vice President will be handled by his wife."
Mr. Horison proudly gestured toward her.
"You all know her already. This is Soraya Horison."
Soraya smiled brightly.
"Thank you so much, Dad."
"Welcome, my dear."
Mrs. Vior handed her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
"Thank you, Mom."
Soraya smiled as she hugged her mother-in-law.
"If you need anything, just let us know," Mrs. Vior said gently.
"We don't want you overworking yourself while you're pregnant. By the way, have you found someone to help take care of Alan?"
How could I almost forget? I'm supposed to be pregnant.
"Yes, Mom."
Soraya smiled naturally.
"We've already hired someone."
"Only one helper?"
"Yes. She only takes care of Alan. Everything else around the house is handled by professional cleaners. You know I don't feel comfortable living with strangers. Don't worry, Mom. You can leave everything to me."
She squeezed her mother-in-law's hand with a warm smile.
Soraya immediately began handling the mountain of work Alan had been unable to complete during his recovery.
"Wow... my husband certainly has a lot on his plate."
She carefully reviewed each document before signing it.
There was no denying that Soraya was intelligent, meticulous, and highly capable.
The towering stack of unfinished work disappeared much faster than anyone had expected.
"It's already eight o'clock?"
She glanced at her watch and laughed softly.
"I thought I'd still be working until midnight."
As she gathered the last of the documents, a brown envelope accidentally slipped from the pile.
Across the front, in bold letters, were the words:
Emily's Contract.
**
- Writer
