Chapter 3

With $100,000 in my pocket, I was feeling on top of the world. As the early evening approached, I decided to attend to some "responsibilities."

What responsibilities, you ask? Spending time with Adrian, giving him a rubdown, and helping him change positions—all part of my duties as a devoted fiancée. After all, I was his bride-to-be and had already received compensation for the role. It seemed only fair that I put in some effort. If I'm being completely honest, I was also drawn to him because of his stunning good looks.

I walked into Adrian's room, finding it as peaceful and tidy as ever. The atmosphere was tranquil, almost sacred. Every item in the room appeared to be strategically placed for comfort—his bed positioned perfectly near the window, soft lighting creating a warm ambiance, and not a trace of dust in sight.

The cleaning staff rarely ventured up here. Abigail had explicitly told them not to disturb Adrian, despite his vegetative state. The care he received was impeccable.

I took a seat next to him and once again found myself in awe of his flawlessness. How could someone be so attractive? His features were exquisite, like a masterpiece sculpted by a gifted artist.

"Mr. Winslow, you truly are otherworldly handsome," I commented, grinning to myself as I started to chat.

Our interaction—or rather, my monologue—was completely one-sided. With Adrian unable to respond, I felt free to speak my mind without filter. I prattled on, discussing everything from philosophy to my personal history, sharing details about my awkward youth and the circumstances that led me here.

At one point, I asked him, "Would you mind if I took a peek at your abs?"

He didn't reply, of course, which I interpreted as permission.

"Just joking," I quickly added. "I'm not actually into guys."

Nevertheless, I proceeded with the routine I'd studied online: massaging his limbs, repositioning him, and attempting to stimulate his vagus nerve. Although I lacked professional training, I gave it my best shot, fumbling through the process with determined, if clumsy, effort.

The entire procedure took over thirty minutes. By the time I finished, I was perspiring. Adrian was tall and well-built, making the task unexpectedly physically demanding.

"How was that? Your wife isn't half bad, right? Don't worry, Adrian—I'm taking your family's money, so I'll make sure to take good care of you," I quipped, pushing my damp hair away from my face.

As I leaned in to adjust his blanket, I noticed something—his eyelids seemed to flutter, as if the massage had subtly stimulated him.

Shocked, I froze in place and stared at him, holding my breath. Was he waking up?

But no. His expression remained unchanged, his breathing slow and steady.

I hesitated, then gently touched his eyelids, hoping for another reaction. There was none.

"Must have been my imagination," I muttered, feeling let down.

Dismissing the thought, I left his room and went downstairs for dinner. Amanda, the head housekeeper, had prepared a simple but tasty meal of soup and rice. She served it with professional detachment, her face expressionless.

"Thank you, Amanda," I said politely as I started eating. "How long has Mr. Winslow been in this condition?"

"Nearly two years now," Amanda answered matter-of-factly, avoiding eye contact.

Her cool demeanor didn't bother me; I suspected she had dealt with many potential daughters-in-law over the years and saw me as just another in a long line.

"How many daughters-in-law have there been before me?" I inquired, curious.

"Six," she replied bluntly.

I nodded, unsurprised.

Taking a spoonful of soup, I asked, "Don't you think it's unkind for him to be confined to bed all day? What if he's aware of his surroundings? Wouldn't it be better to take him outside for some fresh air?"

Amanda paused, clearly taken aback. "Take him outside?"

"Yes. Later, let's turn on all the lights in the house and bring him out to the courtyard for a bit of a walk. It might be beneficial for him."

After dinner, I put my plan into action. The courtyard was brightly lit, with a starry sky overhead. It was a stunning sight, featuring a swimming pool, a grassy hill, a bamboo grove, and an elegant rock garden with flowing water.

I asked Amanda to bring a wheelchair. Together, we carefully lifted Adrian into it, taking care not to move him too abruptly.