Chapter 3 3. A Genuine Concern

Theo grabbed Hazel's hand and looked at her intently. "Are you playing with me?"

"Playing with you?"

Theo clicked his tongue softly. He glanced at Hazel's legs. "I heard everything. Let me massage it; it must be very painful."

Hazel was momentarily silent, unable to believe that her husband had heard what she had just said.

"Your hand is red too; I'll get a compress first."

"But, Theo, I ...."

"You were about to say it's nothing, right? I saw you walking like you were limping. Is that what you call nothing?" Theo hissed.

"Wait, don't move too much. Let me get the compress first," Theo added before leaving the room.

Hazel found herself silent, listening to Theo's words. A gentle smile appeared on her lips. "It turns out being married to Theo isn't that bad," she murmured.

Not long after, Theo returned with a compress. Hazel remained quiet and allowed Theo to compress her hand.

"This isn't too severe. But it's better to compress it so it doesn't hurt."

Hazel stayed silent, not responding to her husband's words. She felt as though she was receiving genuine care from Theo.

Next, Theo gently pulled Hazel's legs and began to massage them slowly.

Hazel never refused. However, she felt a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry to trouble you," Hazel said softly.

"I'm just helping you. I'm your husband, and that's my duty," Theo replied without considering Hazel's response.

Hazel remained silent. She continued to gaze at the man treating her. Her heart felt at peace. It was different from when she was at her aunt's house. Her aunt would always force her to work even when she was unwell.

Hazel winced slightly as the pain intensified, causing Theo to look at her. "What's wrong? Does it hurt? You should tell me."

Hazel blinked and quickly shook her head. "Just a little."

Then, Theo continued to massage Hazel's legs.

"I just feel bad for you."

"Forget about feeling bad for your husband. You've helped me too," Theo said.

Hazel nodded and offered a faint smile. It seemed that what Theo said was true. She needed to get used to her husband's help.

"Tomorrow we won't go to the mall. It's better for you to rest," Theo said as he put the massage oil back in the drawer.

Hazel furrowed her brows and kept staring at Theo. "I already agreed with you earlier. I don't want you to be disappointed."

"You're sick. I can't force someone who's ill like you."

Once again, Hazel exhaled softly and nodded. "Alright."

Theo cleared his throat softly. "Get enough rest. I'll be back."

Just as Theo was about to roll his wheelchair out, Hazel called his name, making him stop and turn back.

"Thank you," Hazel said with a small smile.

Sweet; that was one word that came to Theo's mind. He briefly smiled before leaving the room and closing the door.

"It seems that Hazel is a good person. I shouldn't think badly of her," Theo murmured.

The next day, Hazel decided to help her aunt prepare breakfast for her husband. Although her legs still hurt, it was her duty as a wife.

"Let me do it, Miss. You'll get scolded by Mr. Theo."

"It's fine, Aunt. I'm just helping, right?" Hazel prepared the food on the table.

Hallen, the maid, looked uncomfortable as she watched Hazel help her.

"Hazel?"

Hazel turned toward the voice, realizing her husband was already awake. "You're awake? Come here; I and Aunt have prepared breakfast for you."

Theo furrowed his brows and rolled his wheelchair over. He looked at the dishes on the table while occasionally glancing at Hazel, who was still eager to help her aunt.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I tried to stop Miss Hazel, but she insisted," Hallen said, lowering her head slightly. She looked scared and uneasy around Theo.

"Theo, don't scold Aunt. I didn't want to stop," Hazel said while serving Theo's portion.

Theo cleared his throat softly. "It's okay. Let my wife do as she pleases. I won't cut your salary, don't worry."

"Thank you, Sir."

Theo smiled slightly. "You can continue with your other work."

Hallen nodded and then left the room.

All this time, Hazel was amazed by what Theo had just said. Secretly, she smiled to herself.

"You sit down. Keep me company while I eat," Theo requested.

Hazel snapped back to reality and sat in the chair next to Theo. Then, she served him a portion of food.

"This is for you."

"Thank you." Theo gladly accepted the portion Hazel had prepared and began to eat.

Hazel did the same, taking her own portion and eating slowly.

"Ah, by the way, how's your leg? Is it better?"

Hazel swallowed her food before responding. "Um... it's getting better. Thank you for massaging me yesterday."

Theo cleared his throat softly. "After this, we'll go to the pharmacy. I'll buy you some medicine."

"No need. I'll recover soon."

"Are you sure? If so, I'll massage you again later."

"No, Theo. I already told you."

"There's no refusal in my dictionary."

Hazel exhaled sharply. She looked at Theo while he was eating. It seemed her husband was overly concerned about her.

Hazel continued eating. Silence enveloped the room. There was no sound except for the ticking of the clock on the wall.

"I'm full." Theo gently pushed his plate to the center of the table.

Hazel noticed the plate still had leftovers. She looked at Theo seriously. "That doesn't seem like your portion."

Theo stared at Hazel and furrowed his brows. "So?"

"I'll prepare a proper portion for you next time."

Theo exhaled softly and nodded. "Alright, I won't refuse."

Hazel smiled slightly, then stood up to take the remaining plate to the kitchen.

Theo continued to watch Hazel until she was out of sight. "It seems I need to get to know Hazel better."

Meanwhile, Hazel was washing the dishes.

Unbeknownst to Hazel, Theo kept watching her back, a gentle smile forming on his lips.

When Hazel turned around, she looked surprised to see Theo at the doorway. "Theo, what are you doing there?"

Hazel quickly wiped her hands and approached him.

"No, I just wanted to see you."

"What? You think I'm going to get hurt here? Come on, let's go outside; you need to get some sun."

Hazel slowly pushed Theo's wheelchair. Theo remained silent, glancing at Hazel occasionally.

"Don't you want to draw for me? Your painting isn't finished yet, is it?"

"I'm just not in the mood to paint."

"But I want you to paint for me."

Hazel halted her steps when they reached the backyard. She exhaled softly. Not wanting to argue, she finally chose to give in.

"Okay then, Mr. Theo. I'll go get my painting supplies. Wait here," Hazel said before walking away.

Hazel gathered some painting supplies. After that, she hurried back to the back of the house.

Just as Hazel was about to approach Theo, she nearly slipped, causing her painting supplies to almost fall.

Hearing this, Theo quickly approached Hazel in concern. "Hazel, are you okay?"