Return of the Disabled Commander

Chapter 3

In the courtyard, sunlight fell gently, casting a warm glow on Ezra' beautiful profile.

She remained silent, pushing Bruce into the sunlight before sitting across from him. Her voice was soft, carrying the weight of emotions she had long suppressed. "We have an engagement, but we never married. The Meyers family doesn't want to take you in, so I'll take care of you."

Her gaze softened, but there was a bitterness in her tone that she could not entirely hide.

Bruce understood well. Over the past few years, as he'd been in a stupor and left crippled, Ezra had stood by him without hesitation. He could only imagine the weight of the burden she had borne. His foster father once told him, "When you're at your peak, those around you might not all be sincere, but when you've fallen, those who remain by your side are the ones you can truly depend on."

How could Bruce betray the devotion Ezra had shown? In that moment, he made a silent vow. He had once thought of leaving the Meyers family quietly after avenging himself, but now he knew he had to stay—to repay her for all she had endured.

"I don't ask for much," Ezra continued, her voice growing softer, "I just want someone to help me carry this burden. Someone to walk beside me, to give me a sense of shelter." Her voice faltered as tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, unable to hold back, she rested her head on Bruce's lap.

Bruce could feel her vulnerability. Gently, he lifted his hand and held hers. Ezra suddenly looked up, meeting his resolute gaze, and her heart skipped a beat.

"For the rest of my life," Bruce said softly, his voice steady and firm, "you, Ezra, will be my one and only."

The sudden declaration shocked Ezra. For a moment, she stared at him, then suddenly pulled her hand away and stood up, a mix of shame and frustration crossing her face. "You've really recovered, haven't you? Why did you lie to me?!"

Bruce looked at her seriously. "I didn't lie to you. I only just regained my senses. I know everything you've done for me, and I won't let it go to waste. You said we're only engaged, but if possible, I want to give you the grand wedding you deserve."

Ezra paused, her face flushed, a whirlwind of emotions—anger, embarrassment, and confusion—swirling within her. She didn't know how to respond, so with a huff, she turned and hurried back into the house.

A short while later, she returned, holding a package in her hands, which she tossed onto Bruce's lap. "This is yours."

Bruce picked up the box, looking at her intently.

Ezra glanced at his legs, her voice carrying a trace of frustration. "But you're still in that wheelchair. What can you possibly do?"

Even though Bruce had regained his mind, he was still physically crippled.

Bruce raised his eyes to meet hers, his gaze unwavering. "Give me some time."

He knew he couldn't afford to delay any longer. Determined to regain his mobility, Bruce opened the box, revealing an ancient medicinal recipe—one that detailed a special treatment for leg injuries.

"Give me seven days. I'll be standing again," Bruce swore to himself.

***

Meanwhile, in a luxurious hotel suite, Kellan and Vernie sat comfortably on a large sofa, sinister smiles plastered across their faces. It seemed they were already envisioning the success and rewards of the intricate plan they had meticulously crafted.

Kellan sipped his wine but frowned slightly, a hint of unease flickering in his eyes. "Aunt Vernie, who exactly is this Bruce? His reaction earlier... something didn't feel right."

Vernie snorted in disdain, swirling the wine in her glass as if Kellan's concerns weren't even worth discussing. "What kind of background could he possibly have? He's just a lowly soldier. I still don't understand what Grandfather Meyers was thinking when he arranged for Ezra to be engaged to him! If it weren't for his poor background, the Meyers family wouldn't have fallen to where we are now."

Kellan furrowed his brow, clearly not fully convinced by Vernie's dismissive attitude. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he said, "But I've heard that in the Northwest army, there was a commander with the surname Moss, someone who became a Nine-Star Commander at a young age. They say he was unstoppable on the battlefield. You don't think Bruce is connected to that, do you?"

Vernie burst into laughter as though Kellan had just told the world's biggest joke. Her face was full of mockery and scorn, her lips curling with a sharp, derisive smile. "Don't be ridiculous! If Bruce was that Nine-Star Commander, I'd get down on my knees and beg him to marry into the Meyers family! Look at him now—his legs are crippled, and his mind is half-gone. Where's the glory in that? Forget being a commander, he wouldn't even qualify as a regular soldier."

Kellan's unease started to ease under Vernie's laughter, and he joined in, feeling more relaxed as the tension drained away. "You're right. Bruce looks like he's completely done for. I guess I was overthinking it."

Vernie sneered, her voice dripping with confidence and arrogance. "Don't worry. Even if he has regained his senses, what difference does it make? His legs are still crippled, and that's not going to change. The Meyers family has tolerated him for two years already. I have plenty of ways to make sure he's kicked out of the family."

Kellan's eyes flashed with malice, as though he could already see his plan coming to fruition. Rubbing his hands together excitedly, his face lit up with a sense of triumph. "Once Bruce is out of the Meyers family, no one will be there to protect Ezra."

His greed grew even more palpable as he envisioned the day, he'd step through the Meyers family door and win Ezra's heart. "Aunt Vernie, what's the next step? I can't wait any longer!"

"Years ago, Grandfather Meyers arranged the engagement between Ezra and Bruce, but because Bruce was always away in the military, they never married. By the time he returned to the family, he was already a crippled fool. Ezra only kept him around out of pity. But now that Bruce has regained his senses, there's no reason for him to stay in the Meyers family anymore."

Vernie set her wine glass down and shot Kellan a shrewd glance, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Now that Grandfather Mr. Meyers is dead, the one who holds power in the family is Grandmother Mrs. Meyers. In two days, during her birthday banquet, I'll bring up the matter in front of the entire family and propose to end their engagement. Whether Ezra agrees or not, she won't have a choice."

Kellan's face lit up with excitement, his grin widening. "Nice! Great! I'll be waiting for your good news, Aunt Vernie."

Vernie was pleased with Kellan's enthusiasm. She knew the Diaz family held a powerful position in River City, and if the Meyers family could secure a marriage with them, they could easily regain their former glory. She herself would be hailed as a hero within the family. The thought filled her eyes with a mixture of ambition and smug satisfaction.

"Kellan, don't worry. Bruce won't last much longer. Once I get him out of the Meyers family, you can propose without any obstacles. Then, Ezra will belong to the Diaz family, and you can do whatever you want with her." Vernie's smile turned icy, a flicker of greed dancing in her eyes.

Kellan rubbed his palms together, laughing more brazenly, as if he could already feel the prize in his hands. "Once Bruce is gone, Ezra will be mine."

Vernie nodded slightly, her eyes gleaming with confidence and ambition. "Don't worry. In two days, our plan will go off without a hitch. At Mrs. Meyers' birthday banquet, everyone will see that Bruce is no longer the pillar of the Meyers family. You, Kellan, will be our future."