Wedding Night: My Disabled Husband Made Me Cry-Chapter 90: I Want Your Affection and Deep Love
"Vivian, I don’t want to force you, but this is a step you have to take eventually. The sooner, the better. Be brave and take the leap, and you’ll be able to put this behind you much faster. Understand?"
Vivian Quinn nodded softly.
"So, let’s try? The bed is huge. I promise to keep my distance."
"Okay."
When Jett Sterling came out of the bathroom, Vivian Quinn was already lying in bed, wrapped up tightly in the covers with only her head peeking out.
Jett lay down on the other side of the bed. The distance between them was wide enough for two or three more people.
He could sense her tension. "Vivian," he said gently, "relax. Let’s just talk."
"Mm."
"Are you planning on going back to school?"
"I have to," Vivian said. "We still haven’t found a cure for your headaches, so I need to keep studying."
"As long as you’re happy. I’ll drive you to and from school from now on."
"You don’t have to. You have your own things to worry about. I can manage by myself; I’m not a child."
"I want to spend more time with you, even if it’s just for a minute."
Vivian turned to look at him. Under the warm, dim glow of the bedside lamp, his features seemed even more defined and handsome.
"Jett Sterling, why do you like me so much? Since you said that night wasn’t your first time, you shouldn’t have any special attachment to me, right?"
"I don’t know either," he countered. "What about you? When did you start liking me?"
Vivian looked at him. "Being with you feels secure and comfortable. I can be myself."
"It’s not because I saved you, and you were moved by it?"
"No. Of course, I’m incredibly grateful that you saved me, but gratitude isn’t the same as affection. The affection came first, which is what makes the gratitude feel even more profound. Jett Sterling, I’ll spend the rest of my life repaying you."
"I don’t want you to repay me." Jett reached out to her. "Vivian, I want your affection and your love. Can I have that?"
Vivian’s face flushed. After a long moment, she slowly extended her hand and placed it in his palm.
Jett immediately clasped it tight.
"Good. Go to sleep now."
"Mm." Vivian slowly closed her eyes and was asleep in moments.
...
Monday arrived in a flash, and Vivian Quinn returned to Aethelgard University.
"Vivian Quinn!" Ian Sterling ran over the moment he saw her. "You’re finally here! I missed you like crazy!"
Vivian had braced herself, but the memory of that night still made her extremely uncomfortable. "Go ahead and laugh if you want, but I hope you don’t spread this around. After all, Jett Sterling’s reputation is at stake."
"Why would I laugh at you?" Ian said, cracking melon seeds. "You don’t really think I’d mock you over what happened, do you? That’s ridiculous! I have principles. I wouldn’t use something like that to prey on a girl’s weak spot!"
"I appreciate that."
"Judging by your reaction, you haven’t heard yet, have you?"
"Heard what?"
"My uncle had people track down every guest from the birthday party and warn them one by one. He told them he was the one who slept with you and that the baby was his. He’s shutting them up. With this Aethelgard riffraff, they have to accept it whether they like it or not. So now, no one will dare to gossip about you. Anyone who does will be going against my uncle, and that won’t end well for them."
Vivian froze. ’She’d thought this whole affair would become the talk of the town. She never imagined Jett had done so much for her behind the scenes.’
"Vivian Quinn, you’re really something. What kind of Soul Capturing Technique did you use to have my uncle so completely hooked?"
"That’s right, I know the Soul Capturing Technique. Want a demonstration?"
"No, no, no! I wouldn’t dare." Ian flinched. "My uncle already gave me a special warning. He told me to respect you, or he’d end me."
A warm, sweet feeling bloomed in Vivian’s chest. "People at school don’t know our family connection, so don’t go spreading it around."
Ian’s mouth twitched. "Believe me, I have no desire to be reminded that you’re a generation above me."
"Wait a minute, Ian," Vivian suddenly recalled something. "You and Jett are on opposing sides, right? Shouldn’t we be at each other’s throats, then?"
"Vivian Quinn, you have a very simplistic view of the Sterling Family." Ian patted her on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Guys like me are just small fry. The truly formidable players in the family haven’t even made their move yet."
"So you’re saying I can just ignore you?"
"You could say that. I have no great ambitions. I just want to eat, drink, and be merry for the rest of my life. I’m not going to compete with my uncle."
Vivian raised an eyebrow. "Even if you wanted to compete, do you even have what it takes?"
"Who told you I don’t have what it takes?" Ian looked at her suspiciously. "Don’t tell me you don’t know about this either?"
"Know what?"
Ian flinched. "Nothing. I can’t talk about that!"
"So secretive." Vivian didn’t pay it any mind. "Come on, let’s get to class."
"Yeah."
During the lunch break, Hugh York called Vivian Quinn to his office.
"Vivian, my star student I mentioned has recently returned to the country. Here’s his card. Go find him, and you can research your friend’s condition together."
"Thank you, Professor York!" Vivian accepted it happily, but a second later, her brow furrowed. ’Mason Landon?’
"That’s right. Mason Landon is your senior. Just like you, he’s a versatile medical genius." Hugh York asked curiously, "Judging by your reaction, you know him?"
"Yes," Vivian answered truthfully. "He’s the one treating my leg. Just one more surgery and it should be back to normal."
"That’s wonderful! Since you two already know each other, I don’t need to make a formal introduction. Mason Landon is a good kid. Go find him; he’ll do everything in his power to help you."
"Thank you, Professor York."
Holding the business card, Vivian walked out of the office in a daze.
’Of all people, why did it have to be Mason Landon?’
’He was the last person she wanted to face right now.’
’At a critical time like this, asking Mason to consult on Jett’s illness would be like rubbing salt in his wound.’
Her phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number.
Vivian swiped to answer. "Hello, who is this?"
"It’s me, Wendy Reeves. I’m at the gate of Aethelgard University. Come out."
"Mrs. Sterling, I still have class."
"It’s your lunch break. And don’t worry, I’m not here to settle scores today. I have something important to discuss."
Vivian hesitated for a moment, then agreed. "Okay, one moment."
A black luxury car was parked by the roadside. After Vivian got in, the driver in the front seat got out.
"Since you have to get back to class, I won’t invite you for tea." Wendy Reeves turned to size her up. "Vivian Quinn, I really don’t see what’s so charming about you that could mesmerize our Jett like this. He actually announced your engagement within the Sterling Family!"
Vivian was a little surprised, but she said nothing.
"Vivian Quinn, why must you cling to Jett?" Wendy Reeves sounded both angry and heartbroken. "My son nearly died because of you! Tell me what you want. As long as you let him go, I can give you anything!"
"I’m sorry, Mrs. Sterling." Vivian bowed her head slightly. "Jett and I will not separate. I won’t take anything you offer me, because he’s the only one I want."
Wendy Reeves’s face turned pale with rage. "Then tell me, what is it you like about Jett? I’ll make him change it, how about that?"
"Mrs. Sterling, I am not leaving him," Vivian said firmly. "No matter how much you dislike me, I won’t leave him. If we are destined not to get along, then I can only apologize for that."
Instead of getting angrier, Wendy Reeves laughed. "It looks like you think you have Jett completely wrapped around your finger. From the sound of it, you’re after him for who he is, right? Hasn’t he told you? He won’t even live to see thirty!"
