Chapter 5 Learning to Live With Yourself

The door burst open, swinging wildly on its hinges.

"What has happened?" Alexander demanded as he took in the sight before him.

Gabriella turned to face the man behind her with a look of astonishment on her features. She seemed just as surprised as he did at that moment.

"I-I don't know." She said as she stared down at the mess of blood and glass on the floor by her feet. Alexander closed the space between them, and Gabriella hid her hands behind her back. He grasped her arm gently before pulling it carefully into his view.

"You're injured," he muttered with a calm expression. "Come. We will need to wrap your hand."

Gabriella was stunned by his reaction and wasn't certain how to respond to it. She remained very quiet as he took her into the dining room. He then walked over to the kitchen and pulled a box out from under the sink. Alexander sat down in the seat beside Gabriella and sighed as he opened the box slowly and began to cleanse her wounded hand.

"I'm sorry." Gabriella said softly. "I don't know what happened. I just-."

"I'll have none of that." Alexander ordered. "You're injured and I'll care for you. That is all that matters."

She watched as he wrapped her hand in gauze. Her wrist was painful and beginning to swell up. She gave him an embarrassed look.

"I'm sorry." She muttered again. "I don't mean to be a burden."

"You could never be a burden." Alexander said, bringing a hand to cup her chin. "We may not have a loving marriage or a physical relationship, but you are still the one I will care for no matter what. That means no matter what you are no burden to me."

Gabriella frowned. She wasn't sure what to think about his words. They simply didn't make any sense to her. How breaking a mirror and injuring herself did not make her a burden on him. She shook her head slowly.

"If you don't love me, what good am I to you? Why did you choose to marry me of all the people you could have selected? Surely there's a rich heiress somewhere that would be delighted to be married to you." Gabriella stared down at her wrapped hand as she pulled it free of Alexander's hold and moved to tug free of the hand clasping her chin.

Alexander let out a quiet sigh. "I don't want to marry some rich heiress who wants nothing more than to take over my company." He said softly. "I wanted you because you are a great actress or rather you were able to play the part of mourner so perfectly. I knew when I saw your picture in the newspaper that I had to take a chance and ask you to be by my side."

"But why did you need me?" She demanded. "Out of everyone in this world. Why. Me?"

He gave her a puzzled expression. "Why not you?" He asked as he brought his hand to his chin and rubbed it thoughtfully. "Out of everyone in the world, why not you?"

"You're turning to circular logic." She said, shaking her head. "What do I have to offer you that no one else does?"

Alexander gave her a gentle smile and brought his hand up from her chin to caress her cheek. She swatted the hand away and scowled.

"I suppose that it's your looks." He said softly. "You have a sweet appearance and a beautiful, bronzed countenance. You are a refined young woman with a lot going for you. I want you to help me and raise any child we have by my side."