Chapter 228 Shocking Revelation!
I was sitting on Carter’s lap, my arms wrapped around his neck. The shawl, already slipped halfway off my shoulders, lay on the floor by my feet. At such close proximity, I could distinctly feel the changes in his body. That night, he had only used his hands to push me to the edge of my limits, leaving me breathless. I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like if we ever went all the way.
“A little scared,” I said softly.
He gently caressed my face, his gaze warm and tender. “Darling, do you resent my legs?”
When I chose to marry him, my reasons were mixed. Revenge played a part, but the fact that he was supposedly paralyzed also reassured me—after all, I thought a disabled man wouldn’t be able to impose anything on me. But who would have thought we’d end up in a relationship like this?
I shook my head and answered him with utter sincerity, “I don’t.” I never intended to divorce him. After realizing the depth of his feelings, leaving him became even more unthinkable. My brush with death had stripped away all pretense, revealing the true nature of those around me. Even my childhood friend, the picture of health, proved to have a flawed character. Carter, despite his physical limitations, possessed true integrity and devotion. His years of unwavering patience spoke volumes, and during my time as a spirit, I saw clearly who genuinely cared. Since my rebirth, his support had been unwavering and unconditional. I owed him an immeasurable debt, one I longed to repay with the rest of my life. My words to him were heartfelt and sincere, without a trace of exaggeration.
Carter, whose wealth and power even the Boltons and Bill feared, had no shortage of riches. What I could give him was companionship in daily life. Because of his condition, I had always been curious about his legs. But every time I wanted to ask, I held back, fearing I’d hurt his pride as a man. I’d made it an unspoken rule not to touch that subject.
But now, I finally mustered the courage to ask carefully, “Carter, is there really no way to heal your legs?”
His sharp eyes locked onto mine. “And if there isn’t?”
“Then I’ll stay by your side during treatment. If it can’t be healed, I’ll take care of you for the rest of our lives. I’ll never leave you.”
His thin lips curled into a meaningful smile as his fingers pinched my chin, the pad of his thumb gently brushing against the soft skin beneath it. “Chloe, you’re so good to me. Aren’t you afraid of spending the rest of your life with a cripple?”
I’d heard this sentiment before, but I could feel his strength—could he really just be all show with no substance? Thinking back to how we had shared a bed, and how he had used his hands and mouth to bring me pleasure, I couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t gone further. Could his years of abstinence from women really have been because of this?
Biting my lip, I whispered, “I’m not afraid. Even if your legs can’t heal, there are experts for…for that sort of thing. And even if it’s truly hopeless, I’ll still stay with you for life.”
Leaning my head against his shoulder, I murmured, “We can draw together, play the piano together. If we ever get bored, I can push your wheelchair to the beach, and we can watch the sunrise and sunset. As long as our hearts are together, that’s what matters.”
A faint sigh brushed against my ear. “Chloe, you…you’re still so kind.”
“This lifetime, I’m only kind to you. To those who have hurt me, I won’t show even a shred of mercy.”
He lifted my chin, making me meet his gaze directly. “Chloe, you’re so sweet…so sweet that I can’t help wanting to tell you a secret.”
I blinked up at him, confused. “Hmm? What secret?”
“This secret is…” He leaned in closer, capturing my lips in a kiss. Though I didn’t fully understand what he meant, I didn’t resist his kiss. Instead, I obediently clung to his neck.
But in the next moment, I felt my body lift off the chair. The man who had been sitting on the piano bench stood up—while holding me in his arms. At that moment, my entire worldview shattered!
Wait a second… Carter’s legs weren’t paralyzed at all! He had been faking it this whole time! My heart hammered like a drum solo, leaving my thoughts in a tangled mess. How many secrets was this man still hiding from me?
He had always been tall, but since he was always sitting, it wasn’t noticeable. Only now, as he stood up, did I realize he’s nearly six-three. My five-foot-six frame felt like a child in his arms. My toes, curled inside my slippers, now dangled limply as my shoes slipped off and landed on my shawl below. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he carried me effortlessly, placing me on the piano. The silver hem of my long dress cascaded down the piano like a peacock’s feathers. One hand supported my waist, while the other braced against the piano’s edge. My back arched slightly, giving him the perfect angle to deepen the kiss along the line of my neck. Finally, my toes found something to press against. Only then did I realize I was stepping on the piano keys.
“Carter, your legs—” I gasped for air, like a fish out of water, just as I managed to steal a breath of fresh oxygen—only for him to take it all back in the next second with another searing kiss. Helpless, I clung to him, my unsteady breaths creating soft sounds as my foot pressed against the keys, producing faint, chaotic notes.
In this moment, the atmosphere was unbearably intoxicating. Carter’s tall, powerful frame loomed over me, exuding the aura of a dominant predator claiming its territory. The stark contrast between this and the man I thought I knew hit me hard. Only now did I realize that Carter, standing tall and strong, was every bit as muscular as Damian.
Just as I thought I might suffocate, he finally released me. In the reflection of his dark eyes, I caught a glimpse of my current appearance. The hem of my dress was hitched up, exposing my long legs. One foot rested on the piano keys, while the other brushed against the fabric of his suit pants. My pale face was flushed with a soft, alluring red. My lips were swollen, like petals glistening with dew. Even I had to admit I looked utterly captivating. Even my voice had turned delicate and sweet.
“Your legs…they’re fine?”
Carter cupped my cheek with one hand, his thumb gently tracing the curve of my lips. Pulling me closer into his chest, he whispered hoarsely, “Darling, I wanted to wait a little longer…but now…I don’t think I can hold back anymore.”
Chapter 229 A Touch of Dew