Chapter 10
1195words
He lay there, quiet as always. The monitoring equipment emitted regular beeping sounds, the only noise in the room.
I sat in the chair beside his bed, looking at the man who was now legally my husband.
"We got married today," I said softly. "The ceremony was simple, but your mother arranged it well."
I didn't know why I was talking to him. Perhaps because the day's events made me need to confide in someone, and he was the only one who wouldn't judge me.
"Ethan came. He said Sophia's condition has improved," I smiled bitterly. "Convenient, isn't it?"
I paused, feeling tears beginning to gather in my eyes.
"You know what's most ironic? Even today, at my wedding, I was still thinking about him. I hate him, but I was still thinking about him."
Tears finally fell. This was the first time in weeks I had allowed myself to cry.
"I'm pathetic, aren't I? Marrying a man in a vegetative state to escape a failed relationship."
I wiped away my tears, taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't say that. It's not fair to you."
I hesitated, then gently took his hand.
"I promise, I will respect our marriage, respect your family. I will play the role of Mrs. Blackwood well."
At that moment, I felt his finger move slightly.
I looked at him in surprise, but he remained quiet, with no other reaction.
"Alexander?" I called softly, but there was no response.
Perhaps it was just my imagination. Or as Victoria had said, just an involuntary reflex.
I released his hand and stood up.
"Goodnight, Alexander."
As I walked toward the door, I didn't notice the lines on the monitoring device fluctuating again, as if responding to my goodbye.
***
In the days that followed, I gradually adapted to my new role as Mrs. Blackwood.
Victoria arranged a series of meetings for me to learn about the family's charitable foundation, investment portfolio, and social obligations. I was surprised to find myself interested in these matters, especially the charity work.
"You have a business mind," Victoria commented after one meeting, which was her highest praise.
Every evening, I would sit in Alexander's room for a while. Sometimes I would read to him, sometimes just tell him about my day. It became a strange habit, a comfort.
A week later, the first media reports appeared.
"Tech Titan Alexander Blackwood Secretly Marries"
"Who Is the Mysterious New Mrs. Blackwood?"
"Business Alliance or True Love? The Blackwood Family's New Member"
Victoria was satisfied with the coverage. "Their speculation is exactly what we want. The mystery will keep them interested, but not digging too deeply."
I nodded, but felt a twinge of unease. I knew this attention would sooner or later attract Ethan and Sophia's notice.
Sure enough, within two days, I received a text from Ethan:
"We need to talk. It's important."
I didn't reply. Whatever he wanted to say, I didn't want to hear it. That chapter was closed.
But the next day, when I returned to the mansion from a charity luncheon, I found Ethan standing at the entrance, blocked by security.
"Mrs. Blackwood," the guard called me, a title that still felt strange, "this gentleman insists on seeing you. Should we have him leave?"
I hesitated. Perhaps facing him directly and making it clear I had moved on would be the best solution.
"It's alright," I said. "I'll speak with him for a few minutes."
The guard nodded but didn't leave, staying within sight. The Blackwood family's protection was impressive.
"Olivia," Ethan approached, looking tired and anxious. "Thank you for seeing me."
"What is it, Ethan?" I asked directly.
"It's about Sophia," he said quietly. "She's not really sick."
I raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"She lied to me," he looked genuinely distressed. "She paid doctors to fake diagnostic reports. She never had a terminal illness."
I stared at him, feeling a wave of absurd laughter rising. "So you were deceived? Just like you deceived me?"
"I didn't deceive you!" he protested. "I really thought she was dying!"
"It doesn't matter anymore, Ethan," I said calmly. "Whether Sophia was sick or not, you chose her over me. You gave her my parents' heirloom, married her on my birthday. These were your choices."
His expression turned pained. "I made a terrible mistake, Olivia. I see that now. I want you back."
"It's too late," I pointed to my wedding ring. "I'm married."
"To a vegetable!" he almost shouted. "That's not a real marriage!"
"Legally, it is a real marriage," I said coolly. "And more real than your marriage to Sophia based on lies."
Ethan looked as if he'd been slapped. "I love you, Olivia. I always have."
"No, you don't," I shook my head. "Love isn't like that. Love doesn't betray, doesn't hurt, doesn't abandon the other person when things get difficult."
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm.
"Please give me another chance," he pleaded. "I'll make everything right."
I pulled away from his grasp. "Goodbye, Ethan. Please don't come again."
I walked toward the entrance, the security guard immediately moving to escort me. When I looked back one last time, Ethan stood there, looking smaller than I had ever remembered him.
Entering the mansion, I felt a strange calm. Ethan's appearance and confession should have given me some satisfaction or sense of revenge, but I only felt relief.
Like finally putting down a heavy burden.
I went directly to Alexander's room, sitting in the chair by his bed.
"You'll never guess what happened today," I began, my voice carrying a lightness I hadn't realized was there. "Ethan came by, said Sophia lied to him. She wasn't sick at all..."
I continued talking, feeling like I was sharing gossip with an old friend. When I finished, I noticed the sunlight outside had turned to the golden hue of dusk.
"I should go prepare for dinner," I stood up. "See you tomorrow, Alexander."
Just as I turned, I heard a faint sound, almost like a sigh.
I froze, slowly turning back.
Alexander still lay there, looking the same as always. But I was certain I had heard something.
"Alexander?" I called softly, moving closer to him. "Can you hear me?"
No response. Only the beeping of the monitoring equipment filled the room.
I shook my head, telling myself it was just my imagination. Two weeks of stress and today's confrontation with Ethan had me hearing things.
But as I turned to leave again, I swear I saw his eyelids flutter slightly.
I stood there, holding my breath, waiting for another sign. But nothing happened.
Finally, I left the room, but with a new question in my mind:
What if Alexander could hear what I was saying?
What if he was trapped in his own body, conscious but unable to communicate?
The thought was both disturbing and exciting.
I decided to speak with the doctor tomorrow. Perhaps it was time for some new tests.
Because if there was even a slight chance that Alexander was in there, conscious, then my marriage might be more complicated than I had imagined.
