After a moment of hesitation, Virginia finally spoke, her voice strained.
"It's just... the wedding is already prepared. But with your condition now, you might have to—"
"Find someone to take my place. The Stuart family must not lose face."
I knew exactly what she wanted to say.
Rather than letting myself be placed in a passive position, it was better to take control. At the very least, I could maintain my dignity.
Virginia was momentarily stunned by my unexpected response. But since she had already gotten what she wanted, she chose not to press the matter further.
Just then, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen, then looked at me in surprise.
"Bryan, what documents did you cancel?"
I swiftly deleted the message and replied calmly,
"Nothing important. Just some expired documents—I’ll renew them online."
She didn't dwell on it. Instead, she hugged me tighter, her voice filled with concern.
"You’re not in the best condition right now. If you need anything, just tell me—I’ll handle it for you."
"Virginia, I want to leave the hospital."
Her expression tensed instantly.
"No. Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. I don’t agree."
I reached out and gently caressed her cheek, a faint smile playing on my lips.
"Didn’t you say you wanted to take me to adopt a child? There’s a nanny at home to help out, and I’ll be fine. I just want to visit the welfare home. Please?"
In five years of being together, this was the first time I had ever acted vulnerable in front of her.
She couldn't resist. With a reluctant sigh, she finally gave in.
On the way there, she took out a box of cakes she had prepared in advance and placed them in front of me one by one.
She claimed she bought them, especially for me.
But the packaging, clearly marked as suitable for young children, made my chest tighten.
Silently, I closed the bag, tossed the cakes to the backseat, and shut my eyes, feigning discomfort.
This charade had gone on for five years. It was time to end it.
As soon as we arrived at the welfare home, I sat in a wheelchair.
Before I could even take in my surroundings, a little girl came running up and clung tightly to Virginia’s leg.
She looked up at her, eyes sparkling with joy, and called out over and over again, "Mommy!"
Virginia’s face paled, panic flickering in her eyes. She quickly turned to me, her voice laced with urgency.