1| CHARITY CASE

Valerie’s POV

I heaved a deep sigh as I looked over the well-arranged meals on the dining table. I had spent four hours preparing a five-course meal, even as my wheelchair held me back a lot of times. Every movement was a struggle but I was determined to make sure the meals came out perfectly well.

I smoothed the front of my oversized grey knit sweater, my fingers brushing over the wool to calm the frantic beating of my heart. I had lived in this place like a prisoner for five years, not daring to take a step out.

It wasn’t always like this. I lost my ability to walk when I was seventeen. I could still hear the screech of tires and the sickening crunch of metal as my father’s car spun out on the interstate. The last thing I remembered before the blackness swallowed me was the sight of my father slumped lifelessly over the wheel and the searing, hot pain in my spine that made me pass out.

Cassian had appeared in the hospital like an angel in disguise. He was a distant acquaintance from my father’s business circles, a man who claimed he had always admired me from afar.

I lost my dad to the accident and lost my ability to walk as well. As the world stared at me with pity and greed because of my dad’s enormous wealth that was automatically passed down to me, Cassian looked at me with what I had thought to be devotion. He had held my hand through the funeral and promised to protect the remnants of my father's legacy while I healed and of course, I believed him. We got married shortly after and I handed him my heart, my trust, and eventually, every liquid asset I possessed to fund his start-up.

But as the years rolled by and the main inheritance that was worth billions of dollars remained hanging, Cassian began to get irritable. I had prepared this meal in hopes of having a good conversation with my husband. The sound of the front door opening pulled me out of my thoughts.

A hopeful smile tugged at my lips as I wheeled myself toward the entrance of the living room.

"Cassian, you’re home! I made some food for you and made the lamb exactly how you like it." I said, my voice soft and eager to please.

Cassian didn't even stop to look at me. He tossed his blazer on the couch in irritation.

"I ate at the club, Valerie, and I told you not to wait up. The sight of you hovering by the door is exhausting."

The smile wavered but I didn’t back down. "I just wanted to celebrate since I received an update from the legal team today. My father’s inheritance... the final trust is finally moving through the last stage of probate."

Just like I had thought, I caught his attention immediately. He finally looked at me before walking over to me.

"Finally," he breathed, his voice thick with something I couldn’t recognize. "So, is it in the account? Can I access the capital tonight?"

I swallowed hard, my fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of my sweater. "Not yet, Cassian. There are still some biometric verifications and final signatures required. It is still on its way, but the bank says the process is nearly complete."

The eagerness on his face quickly melted away and was replaced by anger. He slammed his hand down angrily on the armrest of my wheelchair, making me jump. "Still on its way? I have heard that excuse for over two years, Valerie. I am bleeding cash into the new expansion and I need that liquidity now."

"I am trying, Cassian," I whispered, the tears starting to sting my eyes. I only wanted to please him, not get him angry. "The lawyers said it is just a matter of time..."

"Time is a luxury I am tired of wasting on you," he snapped.

“I am sorry, it’s just out of my control,” I begged. “How about we just sit and have a little good time? I’ve been unproductive all day and I would like to speak with you.”

I couldn’t believe I was begging my husband to spend some time with me but as the years rolled by and he got tired of waiting for my main inheritance, even if he was already in charge of my company and assets, I could only beg for him to be a little patient with me.

He let out a dry chuckle at my request. Then, he reached down, gripped the handles of my wheelchair, and spun me around to face the dining table I had spent hours preparing. He looked at the untouched food with utter disgust.

"If you can't be useful with your signature, then do something else to earn your keep," he sneered. "Clean this mess up and throw it in the trash. The sight of this domestic performance nauseates me when you know the only thing that would make me feel better is your inheritance.”

I stifled a sob at his harsh words.

"Please, Cassian, I just wanted a nice dinner..."

"I don't want dinner. I want a sign of appreciation for marrying you and being your shield for all these years while you’re like a vegetable," he interrupted, his voice thick.

He never missed an opportunity to tell me how lucky I was to have him as a husband but I didn’t really mind.

“Cassian—”

“You know what I want already. Get it done so we can be one happy family like we used to be but until then, stay out of my hair."

He turned on his heel, heading toward our suite without a second glance at me.

"Cassian, wait!" I called out, my voice echoing pathetically but he didn’t slow down.

The first tear had just slid down my cheeks when I heard a chuckle from a corner. I didn’t need to check to know who it was.

No, they.

They were the twins that were after my life. After the death of their mom, who was Cassian’s ex, I raised them like my children but they treated me like a lowly maid.

With a shaky breath, I began to pack the meals.