Griffin, the man in the white suit, pushed Stefan’s wheelchair out of the county clerk’s office, with Kai and Dorothy walking alongside them. People passing by shot them disapproving glances, especially at Stefan, who ignored their stares.
“Kai, Mr. Stefan wants you to take his wife home,” Griffin announced, halting the wheelchair abruptly.
Dorothy blinked, confused. “What about him, isn't he coming with me?” she asked before she could stop herself.
“Mr. Stefan still has unfinished business,” Kai replied warmly. “Don’t worry, young mistress. If you need anything, the maids will assist you.”
Dorothy had no choice but to comply. She watched as Griffin carefully lifted Stefan into the car, supporting him with an arm around his chest. A wave of pity washed over her. He was a successful businessman but trapped in a body without legs or a voice. His life must feel like a living hell, she thought.
“Young mistress, let’s go,” Kai’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She realized she had been staring at Stefan as he struggled to settle into the car. She nodded and followed Kai to the Toyota Yaris that had brought them there.
The drive to Stefan’s residence seemed to stretch on forever. Dorothy spent the time lost in thought, reflecting on how much her life had changed. She was on the verge of falling asleep when Kai’s voice interrupted her.
“We’ve arrived, young mistress.”
Dorothy stepped out of the car, and the sight before her was breathtaking. The mansion was enormous, complete with a swimming pool and beautifully manicured gardens.
“This way, please,” Kai said, leading her inside.
The interior was equally impressive. The floor gleamed so brightly that Dorothy could see her reflection in it. Several maids were bustling around, cleaning and dusting what already appeared spotless.
“Emily,” Kai called, and a young maid, who looked to be about Dorothy’s age, stepped into view. “Good morning, Master Kai. How can I help you?” she asked, glancing curiously at Dorothy.
“This is Mr. Stefan’s wife,” Kai announced, and Emily’s eyes widened. She dropped to her knees immediately.
“Welcome home, young mistress,” she greeted, her tone filled with respect. Dorothy was taken aback by the gesture.
“I want you to show her to her room and make sure she’s comfortable,” Kai instructed firmly. Emily nodded.
Kai’s expression softened as he turned back to Dorothy. “Have you eaten?” he asked gently.
Dorothy nodded, lying. In truth, she hadn’t eaten since the afternoon before. As if on cue, her stomach growled, betraying her. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“Young mistress, there’s no need to be shy. This is your home now,” Kai said with a faint smile. He turned to Emily, his tone sharp again. “Make sure she eats to her satisfaction.”
Dorothy couldn't help but wonder how he managed to switch from playful to serious so effortlessly. Emily nodded once more.
Kai reached into his pocket and handed Dorothy a smartphone in its packaging. “Mr. Stefan asked me to give this to you. If you need to speak with him, you can call Griffin. My number is also saved in case you encounter any trouble.”
Dorothy accepted the phone carefully. She had never owned a smartphone before, relying instead on a basic button phone when Agnes sent her on errands, she looked at the phone with gratitude.
“I’ll be leaving now,” Kai said, turning to go.
“Goodbye, Master Kai,” the maids chorused as he walked out.
“Come with me,” Emily said. “I’ll show you to your room. You should freshen up and change out of those clothes,” she added, glancing at Dorothy with barely concealed disdain.
Dorothy followed Emily upstairs. The room she was shown was spacious, with a large bed, a wardrobe filled with women’s clothes, and a vanity table stocked with makeup and perfume.
“Please freshen up. We’ll see you downstairs,” Emily said curtly before slamming the door behind her.
Dorothy sighed, brushing off the rudeness. She was used to such treatment. Despite everything, she was thrilled with the room. She peeked into the adjoining bathroom and was delighted to find a shower and a hot tub.
She quickly undressed and sank into the hot tub, closing her eyes to savor the sensation. At her former home with Agnes and Clarissa, she had been forced to bathe with a bucket of cold water, even in freezing weather. Now, she relished the warmth soothing her skin.
As she soaked, thoughts of her past and her dreams of becoming a doctor surfaced. Her family had never supported her aspirations, and now those dreams felt irretrievably lost.
Her mind wandered to Stefan—his piercing blue eyes, no matter how rugged he appeared, deep down she could see the sadness and his struggle for freedom. The feeling of hopelessness as Griffin tried to help him to his car—she felt it too. It must be tiring depending on someone all your life.
Dorothy gasped and shook her head.
“We just got married a few hours ago,” she muttered to herself. “I can’t feel some sort of connection with him already, can I?” She decided it was simply her empathetic nature at work.
After a while, Dorothy stepped out of the tub, dried herself off, and opened the wardrobe to find something to wear. Most of the clothes were fitted dresses, which she found uncomfortable. She opened a second wardrobe and brightened at the sight of oversized T-shirts and loose trousers.
She chose a white long-sleeve shirt and black joggers. The clothes were far too big—possibly mismatched to her size—but they were comfortable. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. The oversized shirt extended past her wrists, making her look plain, but she smelled fresh and was satisfied.
Feeling hungry, she decided to head downstairs.
“Young mistress, I thought you’d spend forever in the bathroom,” Emily remarked as she approached. Her gaze swept over Dorothy’s outfit.
“What are you wearing?” Emily asked, her tone dripping with disapproval.
Dorothy glanced down at herself, confused by Emily’s reaction. Before she could respond, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
“Welcome back, young master,” the maids chorused. Dorothy turned to see Griffin entering with Stefan in his wheelchair.
Griffin looked surprised to see her, but Stefan’s gaze darkened noticeably as he took her in with his deep blue eyes. Dorothy stood frozen, unsure of what was happening.
“Why are you wearing Mr. Stefan’s clothes?” Griffin finally asked, breaking the silence.
Dorothy gasped as she stared at herself. These were Stefan's clothes? That meant the second wardrobe in the room belonged to Stefan, and by extension, she shared a room with him. Her palm flew to her mouth at the realization."I thought the room was mine," she mumbled. But as she spoke, Stefan's gaze grew even darker.Dorothy sighed, feeling sad at the thought of giving up the comfortable clothes while silently cursing herself for messing up again. She had just married a grumpy, disabled man, accidentally wore his clothes, and now he looked even more displeased with her."I'm really sorry. I'll take it off, dry clean it, and put it back," Dorothy said, turning to leave. But Griffin stepped forward, stopping her."Mr. Stefan wants you to burn the clothes as well," Griffin said flatly."Huh?"Dorothy turned back, shocked. She met Stefan's blank stare before looking at Griffin, who wore an equally lifeless expression. What was wrong with these people?"He... wants me to burn it?" she sta
It was Stefan, struggling to stand from his wheelchair and walk. Griffin stood off to the side, carefully watching so he would know when it was his cue to step in and assist him. Dorothy stood in the doorway, her eyes fixed on him. She could see how his closed eyes trembled with effort, sweat dripping down his face, veins bulging in his neck as he fought to stand but failed, collapsing back into his chair.Griffin instinctively moved to help him, but Stefan stopped him with a raised hand, silently commanding him to stay back. He tried again, his legs trembling violently under his weight. The pain was evident, but he remained silent. Just as he nearly managed to stand upright without support, he fell once more.Griffin tensed, his legs twitching to move, but again, Stefan stopped him. Griffin gulped, his lifeless eyes misting, though his face remained stoic.Dorothy watched, her heart heavy. She felt a wetness on her cheeks—it was tears. Why was she crying? Stefan suddenly turned towar
"Mr. Stefan, good morning," Kai greeted as he entered Stefan's office. Dorothy's face lit up with a warm smile, pleased to see him again.Kai returned her smile warmly. "Young Mistress, I hope you ate well and had a good night's rest."Dorothy nodded happily."I'm glad to hear that. I'll arrange for someone to give you a tour and explain everything you need to know about this place. I’d love to do it myself, but it's always busy around here," Kai explained. Dorothy nodded in understanding.Kai turned to Stefan, his demeanor turning serious. "The meeting is set to start in a few minutes. I'll get everything prepared. We’ll be expecting you," he said sharply, nodding firmly at Griffin before leaving.Dorothy watched as Griffin and Stefan busied themselves organizing files. She wanted to offer her help but hesitated, unsure of how it would be received. So, she kept to herself and waited. Once they were finished, Griffin wheeled Stefan out of the office, but before leaving, he turned to a
Unknown to Dorothy, Griffin had just wheeled Stefan out of the boardroom, with Kai walking alongside them. They caught sight of the scene. Kai was about to intervene, but Stefan gestured for him to stop.Dorothy and Stefan locked eyes, the silence stretching between them. Dorothy wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say. Why was she suddenly so nervous? Had she crossed a line?Stefan was the first to look away. Griffin then wheeled him out of sight. Kai's gaze shifted to the employees behind Dorothy.“What are you all waiting for? Mr. Stefan must not beat you to his office. And before you get there, prepare your resignation letters,” he ordered coldly.The employees scattered, running to comply. Dorothy bit her lip as Kai approached her, a faint smile playing on his lips.“Wow,” he muttered, clearly impressed. “I didn’t know you had that kind of fire in you.”Dorothy gave him an uncertain look. “Do you think Stefan is mad? I didn’t mean to scold his employees, and I didn’t even kno
Dorothy had been feeling guilty ever since Kai told her that Stefan had thrown her food away because he was allergic to sesame."Young mistress, you don’t need to feel bad about it. He’s going to be fine," Kai reassured her for the umpteenth time."Are you sure?" Dorothy asked, still unable to shake her worry. "I’m so stupid. I should’ve noticed how uncomfortable he looked.""I don’t think he’s going to blame you," Kai mumbled. Dorothy sighed and pouted, deciding to let go of her anxiety. Moments later, the car stopped as they arrived at the mansion."Mr. Kai, you’re back," Emily said, surprised, as she passed by with a basket of laundry. She looked disheveled, as though she hadn’t had the chance to tidy herself up. Her cheeks burned a light shade of pink—she didn’t want Kai to see her like this.Kai didn’t seem to notice her state, his attention fixed on Dorothy with his usual gentle demeanor."I’ll be heading off now, but please take care of yourself. Remember, you can call me if yo
Hey lovelies, if you're broke, you can stop reading now... Just kidding!I’m writing this to let you know that the next chapter will be locked, and I truly hope you'll continue to support this book. Every gem, every comment, every coin, and every ad watched to unlock it means the world to me.I hope you enjoy the chapters ahead.Love,Rhema J.
It felt as though the whole room had turned silent. Time froze, and people stopped blinking. Someone had spoken, and it wasn’t Griffin. Dorothy’s body finally found motion, and she turned her head to stare at Stefan.He had a different expression on his face—different from the usual depressed look. He seemed taken aback.“What… what did you just say?” Dorothy asked. Stefan didn’t answer. Instead, he shook his head.“Stefan, you just spoke! You just spoke! Say something again! Stefan, say something!” Dorothy held his shoulders, shaking him. She was filled with shock, excitement, and other emotions she couldn’t quite name.The door burst open, and Griffin rushed in.“Hey!” he called out, pushing Dorothy away from Stefan. “Mr. Stefan, are you alright?” Griffin stared at Stefan with concern, then turned angrily to Dorothy. “What is the matter with you?”“Griffin! Stefan just talked!” Dorothy pointed at Stefan.Griffin looked surprised and annoyed at the same time. He stared at Stefan, the
Dorothy nearly choked on her food, staring at Stefan with wide eyes, silently demanding answers. Griffin quickly handed her a glass of water, drawing her attention back to him as he spoke."You’re married. It’s only natural to spend time together. Mr. Stefan wants to get to know you better," Griffin explained.Dorothy glanced at Stefan, but this time, he wasn’t looking at her. Instead, he was focused on his meal."Tomorrow evening, the two of you will leave. Mr. Stefan wants you to choose any country you’d like to visit." Griffin added.Dorothy was too stunned to speak. She had always dreamed of traveling to different countries, but she never imagined it would happen this soon.Stefan wiped his mouth with a napkin, and Griffin put down his fork. Without another word, Griffin wheeled Stefan out of the dining room and into the elevator.Back in her room, Dorothy sat on her bed, still processing the news when a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it to find Emily stand
It was the weekend. Dorothy was set to leave VitMed and head back home. She couldn’t wait to see Stefan again—he had promised to come pick her up.“I should use that opportunity to introduce myself to him. Please tell him I’ve been very good to you in school, so he could do something nice for me too,” Kristin, who was sitting beside Dorothy, exclaimed.“Stefan doesn’t do anything nice for anyone if they aren’t me,” Dorothy replied with a smirk and a proud look.“That’s because he hasn’t met me yet,” Kristin replied. When Dorothy gave her a serious look, she quickly corrected herself. “Not as someone who’s gonna steal your man—because obviously, I stand a chance—but he’s gonna love me as your best friend. Maybe someday he’ll take me out for a treat for being such a good friend to you,” Kristin added, feeling herself.Dorothy couldn’t help but smile and shook her head. Her phone rang—it was Stefan. She knew he was already outside.“I’m leaving now. Don’t miss me too much,” Dorothy tease
The Holmes Residence.Clarissa admired herself in the mirror, twirling slightly. She loved how expensive she looked. Ever since she married Sherlock, he’d showered her with nothing but luxury.A knock came at the door before Agnes stepped in, her face lighting up at the sight of Clarissa.“Gold and diamonds were made just for you,” Agnes praised, her eyes full of admiration.Clarissa’s smile widened. “I know,” she replied proudly.“So, where to?” Agnes asked, leaning against the doorframe.“Sherlock’s taking me to his company today. When I walk in, I want every single person to turn and stare. I wasn’t born to be ordinary,” Clarissa said with a confident smirk.“And that’s the spirit,” Agnes grinned.Clarissa glanced at the time on her Rolex. “Ugh, I’m almost late. That old man’s been waiting forever,” she huffed, grabbing her sunglasses and rushing out.Agnes simply watched her go, shaking her head.Downstairs, Sherlock looked up the moment he saw her coming. “You’re not planning to
The next morning at VitMed, Dorothy stepped out of the bathroom wearing her bathrobe. She massaged her back as she picked up her phone and dialed Stefan’s number.He picked up immediately.“Good morning, love,” his voice was a bit groggy, like he was just waking up.“Good morning. Did I wake you?” she asked with concern.“Not at all, sweetheart.”“Okay. Did you talk to your mom yesterday? How did it go?” Dorothy asked, and Stefan sighed.“I did talk to her yesterday, and she explained everything—but I can’t just forgive her like that, love. It’s too hard to just let it go,” Stefan grumbled.“I understand, Stefan. But baby steps, okay?”“If Finn were still alive and told you he was sorry for killing your parents, do you think you could ever forgive him?” Stefan asked. Even though Dorothy couldn’t see him, she could tell he was looking for an honest answer.“And that’s the difference between Finn and your mother. She did what she thought would protect you. She didn’t kill innocent peopl
Beatrice had an impatient look on her face as she sat in the restaurant. The moment Kai informed her that Stefan wanted to see her, she rushed over as quickly as she could.The restaurant's glass door swung open, and Stefan stepped inside. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on her, and then he made his way to her table."Stefan, thank you for agreeing to see me again," Beatrice said, moving in for a hug, but he stepped back."We don’t want to go too far now. I only agreed to talk to you because of my wife. Please, don’t touch me."Beatrice nodded and tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear before sitting down. Stefan took the seat across from her, and silence fell between them. He just sat there, staring at her intensely.Beatrice sighed."I didn’t come here to be stared at and sighed over. I have other places to be, so please don’t waste my time," Stefan said, frowning.Beatrice never imagined that Stefan would one day treat her like this."First, I want to say I’m
Behind her veil, she had a confused look. Was Abraham late, or did he not remember they were supposed to have a wedding ceremony here today? While she was lost in thought, Agnes hugged Clarissa but whispered in her ear.“Abraham isn’t coming because he’s not the one you’re getting married to. You’re actually getting married to his grandfather. And act cool—there are so many businessmen here, you don’t want to blow things up in front of them,” Agnes said before stepping back.Clarissa couldn’t believe her ears. She was getting married to Sherlock instead of Abraham. She was marrying a ninety-two-year-old man—and she had already invited her friends, even Dorothy.The priest began reciting the wedding speech and prayers.“Clarissa Florence, do you take Sherlock Holmes as your lawful wedded husband, to be with him through all seasons of life, till death do you both part?”There was no reply from Clarissa, causing murmurs from the crowd. Agnes sat still, tense, hoping Clarissa wouldn’t mes
As promised, some guards came to pick Clarissa and took her to the mall. It was a private mall owned by the Holmes family, filled with stunning designs and luxurious brands."Ma'am, may I help you with anything?" an employee asked respectfully, approaching her with a polite tone.Clarissa smirked and took off her glasses. "I'm getting married tomorrow, and I'm looking for the perfect wedding dress that complements my beauty," she said proudly."Aww, congratulations on your marriage in advance," the employee replied cheerfully."Whatever. Just find a dress for me," Clarissa said, rolling her eyes. The employee gave her an understanding nod, though she silently noted how rude Clarissa was.After a few minutes of trying on different styles, Clarissa finally found one that suited her best."I'm picking this one," she declared, and the employee nodded, sending staff to package it."You have good eyes. That’s one of the best wedding dresses we have," the employee said with a small smile."I
Since Dorothy wasn't coming back until the weekend, Kade felt like he had no reason to stay at school and was set to leave when a familiar lady blocked his path."Where to, Kade? Don’t tell me you're leaving so soon," Kristina said with a smirk."What do you want?" Kade asked, frowning."Come on, lighten up at least. We’re not fighting, Kade. Since Dorothy is out with her husband, how about you and I go grab a drink?" Kristina asked, wiggling her brows playfully."I don’t drink, so I don’t care for one. Now excuse me," Kade tried to walk past, but Kristina blocked him."Then we can take a walk or do something else. Please don’t let me spend this Saturday alone," she pleaded.Kade sighed helplessly, and Kristina smiled widely. She knew what that look meant. Happily, she grabbed his arm and led him away."You won’t regret hanging out with me today. We’re going to have so much fun," she said excitedly as they left together.—In Stefan’s mansion, Dorothy was still sleeping. He had spent
It was a free Saturday. Dorothy had just finished taking her shower and was getting ready. She had spoken with Stefan yesterday, and he promised to come pick her up today. Maybe she could tell him about his mom.Someone knocked on her door, and her smile widened, thinking it was Stefan. She was still dressed in a revealing gown when she opened it—but to her dismay, it was Kai. He immediately turned his back while she quickly grabbed a bathrobe to cover herself, her cheeks flushing red."Do you go around answering your door dressed like that?" Kai couldn't help but ask."I'm sorry, I thought it was Stefan. He told me he was coming," Dorothy mumbled."Well, Stefan isn't here," Kai replied."Why?" Dorothy asked, a little disappointed. She had been excited to have him come over."An important business matter came up. He couldn't miss it, so he asked me to get you. Buzz me when you're completely dressed," Kai said before walking away.Dorothy sighed and was about to close the door, but a w
"Hi, my name is Beatrice," the woman introduced herself, and Dorothy paused, thinking hard about where she’d heard the name before. Then it clicked. Her eyes widened."You're... You..." the words caught in her throat. This had to be Stefan's mom. The resemblance was unmistakable."Can I come in, please?" Beatrice asked gently. Dorothy didn't know what to do. Should she kick her out or let her in? In the end, she went with the second option, opening the door for Beatrice.Silence followed. Dorothy stood six feet away, watching her closely, waiting for her to speak."I’ve been looking for you for some time now because... I need your help," Beatrice said, her eyes glassy with tears. "My son wants nothing to do with me—and I understand that. But I need you to bring us back together."Dorothy sat down for a moment, quiet, then finally responded, "You want me to help fix your relationship with your son?" she asked slowly, trying to grasp it."I just don't know what to do anymore...""Then w