Chapter 5

The first week living with Harry was utterly boring. Arabella felt restless, unable to do anything in the luxurious mansion. She wasn’t even allowed to serve Harry as his wife. Every time she tried to win his heart, he would get angry. But the most painful part was how he always spoke harshly to her.

Arabella knew that Harry was frustrated because of his miserable condition. But she also longed to have a normal married life, or at least for Harry to be someone she could talk to for the next year. Being someone who was used to socializing with the outside world, she felt like a prisoner ever since she married Harry.

“I expected too much from this marriage,” Arabella muttered with a soft sigh as she paced back and forth in front of the vanity mirror in her room.

To kill time, Arabella, who hated being idle and was naturally active, decided to read a novel from the open library in the middle of the family room.

But reading soon became dull, so she headed to the kitchen in the mansion. She wanted to cook something that Harry might want to try. There were thousands of ways she could use to get closer to Harry.

Arabella was determined to melt his icy heart—cold as Antarctica. She had once worked in a nursing home, handling many patients who felt abandoned by their families, just like Harry. Yet, she had managed to bring joy back into their lives and make them look forward to their remaining years.

As Arabella put the book back in its place, she heard the squeaking sound of wheelchair wheels nearby. Finally, the cold man had come out of his room. Who knew what he did in there all day? Maybe he meditated or simply slept the whole time.

“Oh, the arrogant handsome man has finally left his cave.”

Arabella spoke to herself, glancing at Harry as he approached. He hadn’t noticed her standing near the massive teakwood bookshelf.

The sound of the wheels rolling grew closer, but Arabella hesitated to greet him first.

Harry was looking for a book. His hand stretched out, trying to reach one from the shelf, but he struggled. Usually, a bodyguard would always be by his side wherever he went, but today, he was alone.

Feeling sorry for him, Arabella instinctively stepped closer. The cheerful girl immediately grabbed the book for Harry.

This was her chance! She could get close to him naturally.

“Here you go!” Arabella said with a sweet smile as she handed the book to him.

Harry’s eyes sharpened instantly as he glared at her. “I don’t need your help,” he said coldly, pressing the lever on his wheelchair and attempting to leave.

Arabella let out a soft huff. He was so infuriating! She had only wanted to help, yet he still refused to accept it.

“Am I really that bad in his eyes?” she murmured to herself, staring blankly out the window. Unconsciously, she clutched the book in her hand so tightly that its cover wrinkled.

She felt like throwing the book at Harry’s face. But, of course, that was just her wild imagination. After all, Harry had helped her family. He hadn’t even made their marriage contract difficult.

“Don’t take it to heart, Miss.”

A gentle voice made Arabella turn. Mrs. Mia, the senior maid of the mansion, stood at the doorway with an understanding smile. The elderly woman had served the Anderson family for decades, and if anyone knew Harry best, it was her.

Arabella sighed. “He’s always so harsh. It’s like he’s trying to push me away with his words. Is that just his personality?”

Mrs. Mia walked over slowly and sat down on a nearby chair. “It’s not about you, Miss Arabella. It’s about himself.”

Arabella frowned. “What do you mean?”

Mrs. Mia gazed at her for a moment before speaking. “Harry used to be a passionate, friendly, and confident man. Everyone liked him. He might have been ruthless in the business world, but with those close to him, he was the opposite—kind.”

Arabella let out a short laugh, finding it hard to believe. After all, the rumors said Harry was a cruel CEO. But the gossip about his ruined face after the accident was false. Despite the scars, he was still undeniably handsome.

“Seriously?” she asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes. Harry was such a mystery. She had been intrigued ever since she saw him playing the piano so beautifully that night. And why did he always wear a mask? That question also lingered in her mind.

Mrs. Mia smiled faintly. “Yes. Especially when he was with Miss Celine.”

That name was unfamiliar to Arabella. She turned to Mrs. Mia, eager for answers. “Celine?”

Mrs. Mia nodded slowly. “His fiancée. They loved each other deeply. Harry did everything for her, even lowering his pride. But after the accident, everything changed.”

There was sadness in Mrs. Mia’s tone, as if she could feel the pain of the man she had watched over for years.

Arabella fell silent. She had heard about the accident that left Harry paralyzed, but she had never truly considered how it must have felt for him.

“Did Celine leave him?” she asked in a whisper.

Mrs. Mia sighed deeply. “Yes. She said she couldn’t live with a crippled man. Harry begged her to stay, but she still left.”

Arabella felt her heart drop. She could imagine how devastating that must have been for Harry—to be abandoned when he needed love and support the most.

It reminded her of Mike. Hadn’t she been in a long-term relationship with that man? He had always been kind to her, yet he still betrayed her in the end.

“Since then, he changed. He despises weakness. He despises pity. And worst of all—” Mrs. Mia looked at Arabella with a gentle gaze, as if afraid her words would hurt her. “He despises women.”

“What? Despise women? You mean he’s gay?” Arabella blurted out.

Mrs. Mia shook her head, suppressing a chuckle. Even in a serious conversation, this girl managed to make such comments.

“No, Miss. Harry is perfectly normal. But he doesn’t trust women anymore. In his eyes, they’re all the same as Miss Celine.”

Arabella swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. Now everything made sense. No wonder Harry always treated her so coldly. It wasn’t about her—it was about the wounds he had been carrying all this time.

Harry saw all women as another version of Celine.

Mrs. Mia reached for Arabella’s hand and held it gently. “But I can see something different in him when he’s with you, Miss. He might not realize it yet, but you’ve started to catch his attention. You just need to be patient with him.”

Arabella gazed at Mrs. Mia with renewed hope. She wished she could bring Harry back to the person he used to be—a man who lived normally, with passion and love for life once more.