The Crippled War God Is A Billionaire

Chapter 3

Micheal had been told a tech subsidiary of a group of companies was planning to camp with them to test the accuracy of their new tech weapons. For some reason he didn't dare demand from the higher ups, they couldn't work off camp so he had come to the conclusion that they were in the damp with them to make custom-made weapons for the military and in order to keep it as confidential as possible, camp was the safest place to develop it.

But there had been a sniper attack a particular day out of the blue and in a flash bullets from the enemies guns started to rain down on everyone in the camp. The tech team had just returned from test-running a gear at a deserted vast land with no sign of life only to walk right into a bloody mess. The tech tram may have been experts in designing top tech weapons but they certainly weren't experts in combat. In fact, none of them have ever been to war.

He had found her bleeding at a corner, clutching onto her stomach for dear life. She was barely conscious and her face was stained with dust from explosions in the sand. But he hadn't lingered checking out her face, she was only one of the blonde-haired ladies hanging onto life by a thread and he could fear footsteps. The enemies were approaching, if he didn't get themselves out of here, they would be caught. And so without the privilege of worrying about identity, he picked her up in his arms and held her close to his chest upon where the silver necklace also laid. He never saw the necklace after that day but now her it was, dangling right at his face in the hand of his wife.

“Solène,” he called out. His voice barely above a whisper as he felt a strong desire to move, to get up from the wheelchair and hug Soléne, telling her he's the hero she desires.

“I had laid there reflecting about my life. Was I gonna die just when I was starting? Was this how it was going to end? Hastings Global AI was my idea. My investment.” Soléne recoiled her hand with the necklace in it and placed it flat against her chest. She stared dreamily into the distance.

“I really thought I was going to die and my last prayer was to be saved. Just when I was losing consciousness, he came in. I couldn't see his face in my blurred vision but I saw the necklace glinting in the sunlight like a beacon of hope and I knew that I never wanted to forget him.”

Micheal willed his legs to move as she talked. He didn't just want to say he was her hero. Doing so on a wheelchair was an absurd contrast to the one who had lifted her into loving arms that day at camp. He wanted to show her.

“And this is why I must not fail Micheal. He gave me a second chance at life, I must succeed in my endeavours and find him.” Soléne's voice had gone from soft and dreamy to harsh and determined. “Perhaps, I can truly be happy.”

“I can make you happy, Soléne.” Micheal groaned and pushed himself off the wheelchair only to land on the floor.

“Sir!” Jonathan screamed in fear, rushing out of his observatory corner to Micheal's side. “Please don't do this sir. It isn't yet time,” Jonathan pleased but it hurt Micheal's ears. He felt pathetic and weak and he could see Soléne shake her head in pity.

“Leave me alone Micheal.”

“But sir–”

“It's an order!” Micheal yelled when Jonathan helped him into a sitting position.

Jonathan, although reluctant, stood back with a sad face and after a respectful bow of his head, left the room as Micheal ordered.

“Just stop already. Please, this struggle is unnecessary.” Soléne walked to her bedside drawer and pulled out a cheque book. After writing on a piece, she walked back to Micheal who was still struggling to get back up.

“Take this!” She threw the piece at him. “Go to your other lover and spend it together. It's a million dollars and I think that's generous enough to make my money stop disappearing and to end this thing we call marriage.”

“Soléne!” Micheal called after her as she approached the bedroom's door. “Please wait. I am your hero!”

“Pathetic.” Soléne muttered under her breath with an eye roll before slamming the door in his face.

I must get up. She must believe me. Micheal continued to say to himself as he continued to attempt to get up. His knuckles were white as he gripped the bed frame so he could pull himself to his feet. Surely, all that secret therapy session must have done something. He was ready the jumpstart the rest with stubbornness.

“Perhaps I can be happy.” Soléne's words replayed in his head. He was the hero she wanted and she he didn't want her thinking it was someone else.

With even more determination, Micheal gripped the bed frame even tighter, closed his eyes and with a mighty groan, pulled himself up. He could sense a bit of strength in his legs and he held onto it, drawing out even more strength.

That's it. He encouraged himself as the strength grew even stronger. His two feet were touching the ground now but it was shaky. One look at the wheelchair and Micheal's determination rose. He wasn't going to sit down back there.

“A divorce! Why is it so difficult to woo my daughter?” Jackie, Soléne's mother, yelled as soon as she burst into the room. She turned around quickly to demand an answer with an angry frown on her face.

“Whatever can you– oh my God!” Jackie's accusing words were swallowed in a gasp as she stared at the man standing by the bed, his whole upper body heaving with effort and his strong back set.

“Mi-micheal?” Jackie couldn't believe her eyes. “You're standing?” Although Micheal's back was turned to her, she felt herself quieten in the powerful aura oozing off him. He looked very much like the revered leader of a military division.

Micheal turned around slowly to face Jackie.

“Where's my wife?”