His Muted Bride

8 I Should Have Protected You

Megan spent a while in the car. Cody poured her a cup of tea, so she could warm her hands and relax a little. When Ivan finally got out of the cemetery and got in the car, Cody drove them back to the old house. Mr. Lee and May had already noticed that they had disappeared. They were walking around anxiously, trying to find them back. Seeing Ivan and Megan come back at the same time was a relief.

"Where the heck did you guys go?" May sounded nervous as she shouted at them, "Do you really think this is a vacation and you can come and go at your will? I still want to keep my freaking job…" Ivan's dull blue eyes turned to the noisy woman. May shut up instantly. Holding Ivan's hand, Megan led the man upstairs. Cody also got in the house. He turned to May, "Please get them some hot wine. It was raining outside. Mr. Hendrix and Mrs. Hendrix will probably catch a cold." Mr. Lee grunted, "Why do these people have so many requirements? It's not like Ivan Hendrix is paying us…"

May turned around and gave him a stern look. Stacy had paid her before. Besides, May knew Megan had been trying to make Ivan see. If it worked, Ivan Hendrix would be in charge of the family business again. May had no intention to offend a big figure like that. Things were unpredictable and May knew she must be flexible to survive.

"I'll bring them some hot wine and hot chocolate," May promised half-mindedly.

…

Megan filled the tub with hot water and threw some chopped herbs into it. It would be good for Ivan's injuries. She gestured at Cody afterward, trying to tell him that Ivan should take a bath now. Ivan smiled as he heard what Cody said. Grabbing Megan's soft hands, he tried to coax her into taking the bath first. Megan refused him at first but she was still persuaded in the end.

After the door of the bathroom closed, Cody couldn't help but sigh, "Luckily, you still have Mrs. Hendrix to take care of you. I couldn't even imagine what you would go through if she were not here with you…"

"Yeah," Ivan smiled, "I'm a lucky man."

"I saw Mrs. Hendrix's notebook. She wrote all sorts of treatment plans on it. She will definitely make you see again, sir."

…

When Ivan finally got out of the bathroom, Cody had already left. Megan performed needle treatment on him again. She applied some smashed herbs on his eyes, covering his face with a thin cloth. Ivan could feel the coolness of the herb. It made him feel so much better. According to what Megan had learned, needle treatment would usually start to work in 14 days. After washing off the herbs, Megan wanted to get downstairs and fetch some pills for Ivan. But her husband suddenly grabbed her arm before she could leave, "Stacy, my darling, there is something hiding in the brown boot under the bed. I need you to get it for me."

Megan frowned but still did as he said. She fished out a small wooden box. It looked exquisite. She wondered what it was. "It belonged to my grandfather. It was actually his most important stamp. I wish you could find a safe spot to hide it. And please don't mention this to anyone. Will you do this for me?"

Megan knew how important this thing was for Ivan. She had heard everything in the cemetery. She had never expected Ivan would trust her this much and leave it to her though… She would guard it with her life. Putting the box into her precious medical kit, Megan decided to find the hiding spot out of the building tomorrow.

…

Megan went to the kitchen, trying to cook Ivan some herbal soup while applying ointment on her forehead. She had also been injured badly in the cemetery. Her forehead was broken but she didn't tell Ivan. She just didn't want to make him feel worse. When she walked upstairs, May was mumbling to herself, "What a fool… Healing a man who would never be hers…"

Megan bit on her lower lip and pushed the door open with her elbow when she made it to the second floor. May would never understand how much she loves Ivan. She had had a crush on him since she was a girl. If she could, she would give her eyes to this man, not to mention taking care of him every day. Ivan was drinking the soup. Megan couldn't suppress her tears anymore when she thought of what May just said.

Ivan would see again. And when he could see, the woman who was with him would be Stacy. Her tears dropped on the back of Ivan's hand. "Baby, why are you crying?" Ivan put the bowl away and cupped Megan's face. Megan shook her head and forced out a smile, but Ivan's fingers somehow touched the wound on her forehead. Megan took in a sharp gasp…

"Did you also get hurt?" Ivan asked nervously, "Why didn't you tell me? How could Cody lie to me?" Megan wanted to tell him that she stopped Cody from telling him and it was not Cody's fault, but Ivan couldn't see her gestures.

Pulling the girl in his arms, Ivan pressed his cold lips against her forehead. His heart was broken, "I'm so sorry, Stacy… I couldn't even protect my own wife…" Megan shook her head. She didn't care how people treat her as long as she was still with Ivan. She wasn't afraid of anything as long as he was here with her.

When she looked up, she saw tears in Ivan's eyes. His eyes were as blue as the ocean. She remembered the first time when she saw Ivan. He had only been a boy back then. Megan remembered herself wondering how could anyone have such a striking pair of eyes. His eyes had been so bright and beautiful. They had remained Megan of stars…

Megan swore to herself secretly that she would bring the starlight back into his again. Ivan suddenly lifted her in his arms, "I still can't see anything. Would you be my eyes? Tell me when we reach the bed…" Pressing her face against his chest, Megan nodded silently.

The way Ivan put her on the bed was so gentle, he traced his fingers from her brows to her lips. Megan's eyes widened. She knew Ivan thought Ivan's tenderness and love were all for Stacy. But it didn't matter. Right here, right now, she was with him. That was enough for her.

Propping herself up, Megan met Ivan's kiss…