Chapter 6: Wedding Day

The long-awaited wedding day between Aria and Dr. Ichiro had finally arrived—a day Aria never imagined would come true, even in her wildest dreams. What made it even more surreal was the fact that the groom was the very man she had loved her entire life.

It was a quiet, simple ceremony with only a few guests. Neither of their parents supported the marriage. Ichiro's parents—both esteemed department heads in cardiology and anesthesiology—had always envisioned a wife for him who was as accomplished and refined as he was. Aria's parents, on the other hand, just wanted her to live a better life.

But the person most unwilling to go through with the marriage was none other than the groom himself.

Aria knew that too. And yet, she let it slide—because none of that mattered today. Her groom, wearing a crisp black suit and tie, his signature glasses perched on his nose, looked like a prince.

Ichiro had always had problems with his vision—he literally couldn't see without his glasses. Aria had always thought he looked more handsome and refined with them, as if glasses were made solely for him. He made them look good. Even though he was in a wheelchair, he couldn't have looked more radiant or elegant.

Aria wore a deep red gown, glowing with joy and love. She looked beautiful, though her groom barely noticed. Still, it didn't matter. She was now married to Dr. Ichiro.

After the wedding, they returned to Ichiro's apartment. Everything inside was black, white, and grey—sterile and precise, just like him. A clean freak and a germophobe, Ichiro's space reflected his personality—refined, neat, and meticulously organized.

Aria wheeled him into the apartment. Ichiro had once imagined carrying Amy—the woman he had always loved—through this very doorway. But fate had played a cruel joke. Now, he entered as a newlywed with a woman he couldn't see—and never thought he could see—as his wife.

He laughed at the irony.

Meanwhile, Aria was thrilled, entering the house like she already owned it. Her excitement over the smallest details made Ichiro chuckle in spite of himself. It was like watching a child in a candy store.

When they entered his bedroom, Ichiro turned serious.

"I know we're married, Aria," he said carefully, "but we can never sleep in the same bed. I… I can't accept the idea of sleeping with you. There's a second bedroom. That will be yours."

He said it gently, trying his best not to hurt her feelings—but it still made Aria's heart sting.

"Okay, I understand," she replied quietly. Then her tone changed, firm but kind. "But now, let me help you bathe and get changed. Don't refuse. You don't see me as a woman anyway. And as a doctor, you know you're not supposed to see gender when caring for patients. Plus, I know you wouldn't want a stranger doing it. Please… I've already taken a course on how to be a caretaker. I've studied. Let me do this."

She looked at him with pleading eyes, her expression soft and adorable.

"Alright… help me," Ichiro agreed with a sigh. He knew Aria wouldn't back down. And in this moment, he really did need the help. Resisting her would only make things harder.

Aria quickly changed into comfortable clothes and came into his room. She began by taking off his suit jacket and then his tie. Her heart raced.

She had dreamed of this moment countless times. Romance novels often described scenes like this—where the female lead gently removed the male lead's tie—and they always made her heart flutter. Now, she was doing it for real, with Dr. Ichiro.

Her heart pounded, while his remained steady. Being so helpless, unable to move his body on his own, filled him with shame and self-loathing. But Aria's face lit up with the same childlike excitement as she carefully unbuttoned his shirt.

As she pulled the fabric aside, his collarbones came into view. She caught herself staring—her mind drifting to thoughts she quickly pushed away. Even after the accident, which happened almost four months ago, his defined abs were still visible. That didn't go unnoticed.

She mentally scolded herself and focused on her task. She helped him bathe and then changed him into his grey sleeping clothes.

Then she sat beside his bed and pulled out a small velvet box. Inside were two white gold rings.

"I bought our wedding rings," she said with a shy smile. "If you wear it, I'd really love that."

Ichiro looked stunned, unsure how to respond. But before he could say anything, she gently took his left hand and slid the ring onto his finger.

She was right—it did look beautiful on him. Like it belonged there.

"You can't take it off," she said softly but firmly. "It's our wedding ring."

Ichiro sighed and nodded in defeat. There was no winning against her determination.

Then Aria put her ring on her own finger. But she didn't have the courage to ask him to do it for her. But it didn't mattered. Because he was her's at least legally..