Chapter 16- Scars in the heart

Two hours later, Michelle entered the hotel room, announcing her arrival with enthusiasm.

It was 8 PM.

"I've got everything you need!" she exclaimed.

"Michelle!" Chengdong said, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"What's with the rush? I was only gone for a short while! You need to be careful with your arm," she cautioned.

"Xiaoxue, please prepare dinner. I'll assist Chengdong with his medication," Jiale offered.

After they took the medicine, they sat down together for dinner.

"By the way, I frequently visit Kyoto and have rented a car. I can be your tour guide," Jiale suggested.

"That sounds fantastic! Plus, with Chengdong's injury, moving around will be challenging. What do you think, Chengdong?" Michelle inquired.

"Sure," Chengdong replied.

"Awesome! I'll head back to my room to draft an itinerary. We'll have a morning call at 8 AM and leave right after breakfast!" Jiale said excitedly.

Jiale then left the room.

"I'll shower first," Chengdong announced.

"Given your arm injury, it's not safe for you to shower alone. I'll help you," Michelle replied.

"But I..." Chengdong hesitated.

"Haha, my husband is shy! We're married now—there's no need to feel embarrassed!" she teased.

"I'm just worried you might be frightened if I take off my clothes," Chengdong confessed, his voice tinged with sadness.

"Is that why you sleep in your clothes? Come on, take them off and show me. I'm your wife; what could I possibly be afraid of? Let's both undress," Michelle encouraged.

"I... I didn't mean it that way. Don't misunderstand. I just don't want you to see my vulnerable side. I may look handsome, but without my clothes, I feel worthless!" Chengdong said, tears welling in his eyes.

"Husband, please calm down. It's alright. I saw your bruises back in Singapore; it wasn't serious then," Michelle reassured him.

"My condition is worse now," Chengdong replied.

"That's alright. Let's go to the bathroom and you can show me," she insisted.

Inside the bathroom, Michelle gently helped Chengdong remove his shirt.

"It's just a bit red and swollen. Don't worry, dear," she said, holding back her own tears.

Chengdong couldn't bear to meet her gaze, his sobs growing louder.

"Please... don't look anymore!" he pleaded, crying.

"It's okay. Now, let me help you with your pants," Michelle said softly.

"This... this can't come off!" Chengdong protested angrily.

Michelle lifted his pants and noticed severe swelling on his left foot.

"Chengdong! What happened? Why didn't you tell Jiale?" she exclaimed, alarmed.

"It's just bruises. My circulation is bad, so it swells. It doesn't hurt too much—don't worry," he assured her.

"I'll go get some ice for you," Michelle said, stepping out.

Once outside, she began to cry, and Chengdong could hear her sobs from the bathroom.

"If Michelle knew I had only six months left to live, it would break her heart. I feel so worthless," Chengdong lamented to himself.

Ten minutes later, Michelle returned.

"I brought ice," she said.

She carefully placed the ice on his foot.

"Are you feeling better?" she asked gently.

"Don't worry, honey, I'm really fine. Thank you," Chengdong replied, kissing her.

"Do your bruises hurt?" she inquired.

"No, those are old wounds—nothing serious," he said.

Later that night, as Chengdong prepared for bed, he noticed Michelle pretending to sleep while he slipped into the bathroom with a syringe and medication.

At 1 AM, Michelle quietly opened the bathroom door.

"Chengdong, what are you injecting? Is it morphine? Are you using drugs? Why are you doing this?!" she asked, panic rising in her voice.

"Xiaoxue! Please don't ask! I... I don't want you to know!" he responded.

"I'm your wife; why can't I know? What are you hiding from me? Tell me!" Michelle insisted, her anger palpable.

"I'm so sorry, Michelle! I was diagnosed with a terminal illness on our wedding night. I only have six months left to live," Chengdong cried, embracing her tightly.

"What!?" Michelle gasped in disbelief.

The following morning, in the hotel restaurant, at 7:45 AM, Jiale remarked, "You both are here early!"

"I'll get you some juice," Chengdong said.

"What happened to you two? Your eyes are all red and swollen. Did you have a fight last night?" Jiale asked.

"I discovered Chengdong's condition last night. I accidentally saw him injecting himself and confronted him. Jiale, is there anything we can do to help him?" Michelle pleaded.

"Our only option is to make him happy; there's nothing else we can do. We wanted to provide him with injections and treatment, but he refused," Jiale explained.

Chengdong, hiding in the corner, listened and cried silently.

Over the next few days, they enjoyed their time in Japan, but five days later, at the Arima Hot Spring Resort, Jiale asked, "Chengdong, should we go to the hot spring together?"

"You go ahead. I don't want to," Chengdong replied.

"Can I join you in the couple's hot spring?" Michelle asked.

Chengdong reluctantly nodded and changed in the bathroom.

"If he goes in with those bruises, people will stare. Are you okay with that? The couple's hot spring has separate areas," Jiale pointed out.

"Brother Jiale, could you accompany us? The couple's hot spring is nearby, and I hope this will help him face his fears," Michelle suggested.

"I hope so too. It's so hot in Japan right now, and he's wearing long sleeves to hide himself. He's very conscious of others' perceptions," Jiale noted.

"I'll help him adjust gradually," Michelle assured.

"Thank you for your efforts," Jiale replied.

When Chengdong emerged from the restroom, wearing a short-sleeved bathrobe, his bruises were exposed. He noticed their gazes and quickly covered himself with a towel.

"I... I don't want to go. I'm sorry," Chengdong declared, feeling uncomfortable.

"Chengdong, if you don't overcome your fears, how can you face the necessary treatments?" Michelle urged.

"Dong, your wife is correct. You need to confront the scars in your heart," Jiale added.

Chengdong nodded reluctantly.

As they approached the hot spring area, Chengdong felt the stares of onlookers.

"Isn't that the famous Song Chengdong? Why does he have so many bruises? He looks like a drug addict," a Taiwanese tourist whispered.

Chengdong felt his discomfort grow. "I... I really don't want to go. I... I don't want to go anywhere!" he exclaimed, panic setting in.

People nearby turned to stare.

"What are you looking at?! He is my husband!" Michelle snapped, anger flaring.

The crowd dispersed, leaving Chengdong trembling in anxiety.

"Don't worry, A Dong. You'll get used to it. I'm right here with you," Michelle comforted him.

"Xiaoxue, let's forget it; he's so scared he might lose control," Jiale whispered.

"I don't want to! Please, let me go! I can't do it!" Chengdong cried out.

Jiale gently carried him back to their hotel room.

In the room, at 5:30 PM, Michelle said, "Brother Jiale, please go back. I'll take care of Chengdong."

"Okay, call me if you need anything," Jiale replied, departing.

Michelle turned to Chengdong. "You need to shower. This is important!"

"I don't want to! Just leave me alone!" Chengdong cried.

"You have to shower! There's nothing to fear; it's just you and me here!" Michelle insisted.

Chengdong clung to her, overwhelmed with emotion. "I'm sorry, dear! I feel so useless! I wanted to enjoy the hot spring with you, but I'm terrified of how others see me. They see me as worthless!" he sobbed.

"Husband, don't be afraid. There's always a way to overcome difficulties," Michelle reassured him.

-End-.