If the Shirt was Off

_Ruelle’s POV_

I watched in disbelief as Erika pushed a cart into the room. She gave me a smug look as she walked past, stopping right next to Killian.

“Hey Lian,” She called with an excessively sweet voice.

I think I might get diabetes.

“What are you doing?” Killian asked and I knew that he was talking to Erika, not me. His tone was flat and he stared straight ahead.

A frown formed on my face when Erika stood next to Killian, she held his arm as she spoke.

“Lian, you don't take care of yourself at all. Do you know what time it is? And you haven't even eaten,” She said while pouting her lips.

I looked between them, the frown on my face deepening.

Did Erika have feelings for Killian? Or am I just overthinking things? And what was that nickname she called him?

I know our marriage was merely one of convenience, but I still didn't like the way she was around him.

“I'm fine,” Killian said then pushed Erika away from him. I thought this was going to make her go away, but she doesn't.

Erika pouted attaching herself to Killian once more.

“Ruelle, if you have no idea how to take care of Killian. Then there's no need for you to get married to him,”

Her tone had changed to a sharper one, her eyes glaring at me with annoyance.

I knew at that moment that Erika had feelings for my fiancee and she would do anything to get rid of me.

“Did you add some salt to the food I was cooking when I stepped out?”, I asked suddenly.

I knew that there was no way I would have made a mistake while cooking, and I had seen her in the kitchen.

Erika's head snapped at me, her eyes wide.

“M-me? Of course, I didn't do such,” She stuttered but I didn't believe her.

Her reaction was a clear giveaway that she had done something, but I didn't have proof.

I just wanted to see what her reaction would be and I had gotten it.

It wasn't like she was going to accept doing something like that, especially in front of Killian.

“How would you accuse me of doing something like that?” She asked. She squared her shoulders and raised her eyes to meet mine, putting on a bold expression.

“Don't accuse people if you don't have evidence,” Killian said.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded my head. I understood exactly what he meant, and since I didn't catch her in the act I could only keep quiet.

I stepped towards them, taking the bowl in her hands.

“Killian is going to be my husband and I can take care of him perfectly, thank you,” I said coldly to her

She gritted her teeth, folding her hands by her side.

“How dare you-” she started but Killian instantly shut her up.

“Erika, that's enough. She's right.” He said. Her eyes darted from Killian to me, her lips trembling.

She couldn't believe that Killian had taken my side over hers, and my lips pulled up smugly.

Someone who finally took my side…

With tears in her eyes, Erika stomped her foot like a child and stormed off.

“Has she always been that way?” The question slipped out of my mouth before I knew it.

Killian didn't seem to be offended but he just shrugged.

“I'm sorry for the way I snapped at you earlier,” Killian apologized after a few minutes of silence.

I shrugged like it was nothing, fighting the smile on my face.

It's not like he could see me smiling.

I looked at Killian to see him staring off into nothing, his eyes unfocused.

I quietly dished out food for him, placing it before him. It seemed well-cooked, and it would be a waste to throw it out.

“Can you feed yourself? Or should I?” I asked softly, picking up the spoon.

Killian made no effort to take the spoon from me, so I took it as a sign to feed him.

Taking a spoon, I blew softly on it to cool it down before placing it in front of him.

Killian instantly opened his mouth, biting down.

This continued for a while and the food gradually went down.

Our bedroom door was pulled open and I turned around to see who walked in. I stared at Killian's driver, a brow coming up.

How could he walk into our bedroom without knocking?

Killain's driver seemed startled to see me and he stopped in his tracks.

“I'm sorry, I forgot about–” He stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Did he forget about me?

His eyes zoned in on my hand which held a spoon to Killain's mouth.

“Wait stop, he does not like it when others touch his food” He cried out in surprise, stepping towards us.

I frowned in confusion when I heard what he said. He does not like others touching his food. What does that mean?

“What do you want?” Killian asked coldly, cutting him off.

His driver's eyes darted between me who still had the spoon suspended in mid-air, and Killian.

It seemed as if he was debating on what was more important.

I turned my attention to Killain in surprise when he leaned into the spoon, taking a bite off.

The driver's jaw dropped as Killian chewed.

I couldn't understand why he was acting the way that he was acting. And he had said Killain didn't like people touching his food.

That was the first time I was hearing that, but it was quite understandable because I hadn't been around for long.

“What. Do you want?” Killian asked coldly snapping the driver's attention back to him.

“Oh.. yes. I can come back later for that sir,” He said hurriedly then rushed out.

He threw one last surprised look at me before he went out the door.

Huh? What was all that about?

He seemed surprised that Killian was eating what I was feeding him.

The whole situation confused me but I didn't want to think about it.

“I'm done eating,” Killian said, pushing his wheelchair towards the bed.

“I would call a maid to come take it out then,” I mumbled.

Pushing the cart to the door, I stepped out to see the driver still standing outside.

He immediately pushed away from the way where he was leaning on, staring at me.

I looked down the hallway but when I didn't see any maid, I decided to make use of the situation.

Fixing a smile on my face, I asked him. “Could you help me take this out?”

He seemed to be in a daze as he stared at me, nodding his head.

My lips pulled into a wider smile and I pushed both carts out of the room, slamming the door shut.

“Felt so weird to have him staring at me that way,” I mumbled, the smile on my face wiping out.

I stopped in my tracks when I looked at Killian, he was sitting in his wheelchair with his shirt open. I could see his toned chest and stomach and I couldn't help but stare.

I was the type who loved to stare at pretty things, and Killain is exactly what I like.

But how did he remain this fit if he was paralyzed?

It was a question I wanted to ask, but I didn't ponder on it for too long.

“You should take a picture, it lasts longer,” Killian said, his unfocused eyes staring in my direction.

I didn't know where the sudden boldness came from, but I smirked at him, folding my arms.

“It would be better if the shirt was off,” I tutted, my eyes trailing down his body.

Killian was really attractive, I couldn't deny that.

I didn't see anything terrible in getting married to him. I had started my plans already and I would just take him with me when I'm leaving.

I had taken a liking to the paralyzed man, I couldn't deny that.

“If that's the case, come help me shower then. I need help,” Killian said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

The smirk on my face dropped and I stared at him in disbelief.

“What?”