The Alluring Disabled Man

“Do you regret it?” Alexa Aliendra Adhitama gazed at the handsome figure sitting in the wheelchair with such calm eyes. Her eyes sparkled, and a captivating smile spread across her face. For a moment, Barile Tantama Adhiyaksa’s heart skipped a beat. It was the first time the disabled man had felt his heart pounding so wildly in his chest. “What is there for me to regret? I’ve got a handsome, wealthy husband. Even on my wedding day, I received a famous five-star hotel—complete with the deed. Such an extravagant dowry—should I really regret this?” Those sweet words flowed freely from Aliendra’s petite lips, leaving Bariel frozen in place and utterly spellbound. His blue eyes gazed at the still-youthful, beautiful face with a glow that was hard to interpret. “Aliendra. You’re still so young. Just over 20 years old. Why didn’t you refuse—and instead even agree to the marriage your grandmother wanted? Aren’t you currently in a relationship with Alejandro?” A crisp laugh suddenly escaped the corners of Aliendra’s lips. The young girl walked toward the wheelchair in front of her. Kneeling down caught Bariel off guard. “Don’t sit on the floor. People might think I’m bullying you.” Aliendra smiled again. It was utterly captivating, and that was why Bariel couldn’t tear his eyes away from the beautiful face before him. “That means it’s fate. You’re destined to be my soulmate, Bariel.” Startled to hear his name called, Bariel shifted slightly. He pushed his wheelchair just to ease the nervousness in his heart. “Do you realize what you’re saying?” “I do. I’m very aware, actually.” Bariel sighed. This time, his nervousness subsided. “Aliendra. The one you like is Alejandro. He’s the perfect man. Absolutely perfect.” “I know he’s perfect, and I like him. But the one who’s my husband is you. That means starting today, I’ll love you with all my heart. I’ll try to serve you and build a sweet, beautiful home with you.” There was no denying that Bariel nearly choked on his own saliva upon hearing Aliendra’s sweet words. This was the umpteenth time the girl had spoken such sweet and beautiful words to him. “Aliendra__ “Enough, enough. Don’t bring that up. Now I’m your wife and you’re my husband. Nothing was forced. I’m willing to live this life for the next two years. I respect your decision regarding euthanasia. You have the right to your own body. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to accompany you to Canada. Because__ “Because of what?” “Because I’ll be busy running the hotel business you left me after your passing, as well as your other real estate ventures. I won’t have time to witness your death.” Deep down, Aliendra’s heart ached terribly as she spoke those words. She even had to admit her own insensitivity as the man prepared to face his death due to his decision for euthanasia. A death deliberately chosen by someone because they could no longer bear all the suffering in this world. What’s the difference between that and suicide? Bariel’s chest suddenly felt tight upon hearing Aliendra’s words. He hadn’t expected the girl to speak so calmly about all of that. She had, with remarkable composure, accepted and let go of her impending death out of respect for her own personal decision. “Yeah, you’re right. That’s my right. And after you divorce me, you’re free to do whatever you want. Including managing the hotel and the villas I’ll give you. Including the 30% stake in Adhiyaksa Corporation. That’s yours too. Even if Alejandro takes my place by your side, all of Adhiyaksa’s shares will become yours. That’s the agreement. We just have to wait two years until Alejandro graduates and becomes a young heir.” Aliendra lowered her face. Her breathing was labored, even gasping. But the girl seemed to be hiding that from Bariel. “Enough, don’t talk about sad things on the first day of our marriage. It’d be better if you helped me.” Bariel gazed at her beautiful, innocent face. “Help?” “Hmm! Help me hold a few of our wedding photos. I’m going to hang them on the living room wall.” “But you could ask a handyman for help.” “No need. You and I can do it ourselves. It’ll save money. We can save up for our old age. Who knows, maybe before we actually part ways, we’ll have a child.” Thud! Bariel’s heart began pounding wildly again. There was a jolt he’d never wanted before. “Aliendra. Do you realize what you’re saying?” “I know. I know very well. I want to have a child with you. So that when I miss you, the child will be the one to ease that longing. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, they’ll take after you. Handsome.” Ugh! Once again, Bareil had to guard his heart to keep it safe from all of Aliendra’s sweet talk and flattery. “Aliendra. You’re still so young and a child. But your words are full of flattery and temptation.” “I’m over twenty. I’m married to you. That means I’m an adult.” “But you’re still decades younger than me. I should be your uncle, not your husband.” Aliendra stopped what she was doing with the hammer and nails. She turned to look at the handsome face below her. Meanwhile, Bareil, standing on the stool, lowered his head slightly. “Bariel. Remember! We’re husband and wife now. Not uncle and niece. I don’t want to hear that again!” Aliendra explained firmly yet playfully to the man, silencing Bariel. He was enjoying the intimacy created by his wife, whom he’d legally married just a few hours ago. That cheerful, cute, and beautiful face showed no sign of sadness or regret. The girl was enjoying the marriage arranged by both families. Without any refusal or objection, Aliendra had agreed to marry Bariel. Even though it was clear that Bariel had a lifelong disability. Several doctors from renowned hospitals had given up on treating the handsome man’s leg. Yet Bariel had heard rumors that before the arranged marriage, Aliendra seemed to have been in a close relationship with her stepbrother, Alejandro Adhiyaksa. “Huh! It’s over! Finally, we can rest. You take a shower first; I’ll prepare dinner for you. After you’re done showering, you help me cook some clear vegetable soup for you.” Once again, Bariel was taken aback by Aliendra’s off-the-cuff remark. The young woman just blurted it out. “Aliendra. How can I help you cook?” “Why not? It’s just picking some spinach and husking sweet corn. Just put them on your lap and pluck them. Done? I’ll be the one cooking for you. Because that’s exactly what a wife is supposed to do.” Bariel was stunned for a moment. He hadn’t even had time to process it when Aliendra pushed his wheelchair. “Enough! Just cook the clear vegetable soup now. We’ll take a shower together later.” Boom! Bariel’s face changed. There was a flush of color there. Clearly, the grown man was acting as awkwardly as a teenager who’d just fallen in love. He only snapped out of it when he felt Aliendra’s hands placing several bunches of spinach on his lap. “Leo, who walked in at that moment, was even more surprised. The man who served as his boss’s personal assistant couldn’t believe that Aliendra had finally managed to melt Bariel’s heart of stone. “It turns out the Young Mistress is truly remarkable. She treats Young Master Bariel just like any other normal man.”