CHAPTER 5

The first night of their marriage passed quietly.

Lily woke before dawn.

For a moment, she forgot where she was.

Then she remembered.

She was married.

She turned her head toward Mich's side of the room.

The bed was empty.

Her eyes widened.

She quickly sat up.

“Mich?”

There was no answer.

Lily got out of bed and walked toward the sitting area.

She found him there, sitting in his wheelchair near the window.

He was already dressed.

“Why are you awake so early?”

Mich turned around.

“I couldn't sleep.”

Lily looked at him suspiciously.

“You should have called me.”

“I didn't want to wake you.”

She frowned.

“You're supposed to wake me if you need anything.”

Mich smiled.

“I'll remember that.”

Lily walked toward him.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

She sighed.

“Then wait here. I'll make something.”

“You don't have to.”

“I know.”

Mich laughed quietly.

Lily headed toward the kitchen.

She had barely taken a few steps when his phone rang.

Mich glanced at the screen.

His expression changed slightly.

“I need to take this.”

Lily nodded.

“I'll be in the kitchen.”

She walked away.

Mich answered the call.

His voice immediately became serious.

“Report.”

A man's voice came through the phone.

“Everything is ready. We have the documents you requested.”

“Send them to the usual place.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And the meeting?”

“Tonight.”

Mich glanced toward the kitchen.

“Move it to midnight.”

“Sir, that will be difficult.”

“Then make it happen.”

“Yes, sir.”

The call ended.

A few seconds later, a message appeared on his phone.

Mich read it silently.

His eyes hardened.

He quickly locked the screen.

He couldn't afford to let Lily see anything.

That evening, Lily noticed something strange.

Mich had been unusually quiet.

After dinner, he looked at her.

“I need to tell you something.”

Lily put down her glass.

“What is it?”

Mich hesitated.

“I've been thinking about finding work.”

Lily stared at him.

“Work?”

“Yes.”

“But why?”

Mich lowered his eyes.

“My allowance isn't enough.”

Lily frowned.

“Allowance?”

“My grandfather gives me enough to live, but things have changed.”

He paused.

“I have a wife now.”

Lily's eyes widened slightly.

“You're worried about taking care of me?”

Mich nodded.

“I don't want you to lack anything because of me.”

Something inside Lily softened.

She had expected many things from this marriage.

She hadn't expected her husband to worry about her.

“You don't have to do that.”

“I should.”

“You shouldn't stress yourself because of me.”

Mich gave her a small smile.

“I'll manage.”

Lily shook her head.

“No.”

Mich looked at her.

“What?”

“I'll work.”

He stared at her.

“You?”

“Yes.”

“You don't have to.”

“I know.”

She smiled.

“But I'm not going to sit around while you struggle to provide for me.”

Mich looked at her quietly.

Lily continued.

“I can work too. That way, neither of us has to depend completely on your allowance.”

“Lily…”

“I mean it.”

She folded her arms.

“I've finished school. I can find a job.”

Mich remained silent.

She looked at him carefully.

“You don't want me to work?”

“No. That's not it.”

“Then what?”

“I just don't want you to make things difficult for yourself.”

Lily smiled.

“Working isn't difficult.”

She turned away.

“Tomorrow I'll start looking.”

Mich watched her.

There was something about the way she said it.

She wasn't trying to impress him.

She wasn't complaining about the small allowance.

She simply wanted to help.

His phone vibrated again.

He glanced at it.

Another message from his PA.

The car is ready.

Mich quickly locked the screen.

Lily turned around.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He smiled.

“I just remembered something I have to handle tonight.”

Lily frowned.

“Tonight?”

“Yes. I may be awake for a while.”

“You're going to work already?”

Mich nodded.

“I need to start somewhere.”

Lily walked toward him.

“Then I'll make you something to eat before you leave.”

Mich almost laughed.

“I won't be leaving.”

“Oh.”

He quickly corrected himself.

“I mean... I'll be working from my study.”

Lily nodded.

“Then I'll bring you food there.”

She walked toward the kitchen.

Mich watched her disappear.

His phone vibrated again.

He answered immediately.

“I'm listening.”

His PA's voice came through.

“Sir, the people you asked us to monitor have made a move.”

Mich's expression changed.

“Keep watching them.”

“And the meeting?”

“Proceed without me.”

“Are you sure?”

Mich glanced toward the kitchen.

“Yes.”

He ended the call.

A few minutes later, Lily returned with a plate of food.

She placed it beside him.

“Eat before you start working.”

Mich looked at the food.

Then at Lily.

“Thank you.”

She smiled.

“Don't stay up too late.”

“I won't.”

She walked away.

Mich waited until she disappeared before looking at the phone in his hand.

The gentle husband Lily knew was only one side of him.