The Wife He Never Wanted

A Convenient Injury

Richard was leaning against the glass window of the hospital room, thinking about the night with Helena. He took his phone from his trouser pocket, glancing at the screen, half-tempted to call her, telling himself it was just to check on her, nothing more than that.

The door creaked, and the doctor walked in with Anna beside him.

"Mr. Harrington," the doctor said. "The X-rays are clear. Miss Cole has a mild ankle sprain. There's no fracture or serious injury. She will need to keep weight off it for a few days, wear the support bandage, and avoid unnecessary strain."

"Thank you, Doctor," Richard replied.

As soon as the doctor left, Anna shifted her weight and flinched dramatically, pressing a hand against the edge of the bed. "The doctor said I can go home."

“Good. Again, I'm sorry about the accident. How are you feeling?" Richard asked.

"It still hurts," she said quietly. "More than they're saying. They keep insisting it's only a sprain, but..."

She let the sentence trail off, allowing the silence to speak for her.

The night Richard left Anna at the bar with Jonas, On her way home, distracted and angry, she lost control of her car and hit a tree. The accident wasn't that serious at all. She barely twisted her ankle driving into a tree. Nothing that should have landed her in a hospital bed for two days of observation. She gave the paramedics a more dramatic version of the incident that went a long way to get Richard's attention.

Richard's jaw tightened. He had not told her where he had gone that night, or why, but she knew it had to do with Helena. She didn't need details.

"You shouldn't be alone tonight," Richard said. "Why don't you stay at my place until you're feeling better? At least until the swelling goes down."

Anna maintained a careful composure. "I don't know," she said, looking away. "I don't want to be a burden. You've already done so much." Inside, she was thrilled.

"It's not a big deal," Richard said, already reaching for her bag on the chair beside the bed. "I would feel better knowing someone's keeping an eye on you tonight. Just until you're steady on your feet again."

Anna also came from a wealthy family, but spent most of the time alone at home. Her parents were always on a business trip or vacation. Even in their absence, they had given her everything she wanted. But in this case, not the man she wanted. This was something she would have to fight for.

"...Okay." Anna let the word come out slowly, reluctantly, like she was doing him a favor and not the other way around. "If you're sure it's not an inconvenience."

"It's not," Richard said, already moving toward the door to find a nurse and finalize the discharge papers.

Anna watched him go, and the moment his back was turned, the careful, wounded expression disappeared and she gave herself a small, satisfied smile.

The drive back to Richard's place was quiet. Anna kept her injured ankle elevated, occasionally shifting as though sitting for too long made it hurt. She made sure not to complain directly. Better to let Richard fill the silence, and glance over every few minutes to check on her. He did that twice.

Anna looked over at Richard. His hands were steady on the steering wheel, but he seemed lost in thought.

“You look really tired,” Anna said.

"It's been a long couple of days," Richard replied, his eyes still on the road.

"Work?"

Richard hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Among other things."

"Is everything okay?" Anna asked softly.

Richard let out a slow breath. "Yeah... I'm fine."

She knew he wasn't. But she also knew better than to push. She settled back against the seat, pretending to rest.

By the time they pulled into the driveway, the house was dark except for the porch light Mrs. Hilda always left on. Richard came around to open Anna's door, offering his arm, and she took it, leaning into him more than the injury really required.

"Thank you for all of this. You didn't have to," She said softly.

"Yes, I do," Richard said.

Inside, Richard led her to one of the guest rooms. He set her bag down by the door.

"If you need anything, I'm just down the hall," he said. "Try to get some rest."

"I will." Anna smiled. "Goodnight, Richard."

"Goodnight," Richard replied.

He lingered a second longer in the doorway before turning and walking back toward his own room, leaving Anna alone in the guest room, nursing an ankle that barely ached at all, already thinking about how many more nights like this one she could engineer before Richard stopped noticing the difference.