Chapter 129 Tender Moments

As soon as Maria walked through the door, Kenna spotted her and excitedly maneuvered her wheelchair over. But before she reached Maria, she suddenly stopped, her face full of shock. "Maria, what happened to your face? Why are you wearing a mask?"

"I'm fine, just feeling a bit under the weather," Maria replied, not wanting Kenna to see the slap mark on her face or to worry Ethan. "I can't play with you tonight. Can you play by yourself?"

Kenna nodded obediently, though her face still showed concern. Maria smiled and pinched her cheek gently. Just as Maria was about to head upstairs, Julie emerged from the kitchen, her face showing surprise at the sight of Maria's mask. "Maria, why are you wearing a mask? Are you hurt?"

Julie reached out to remove Maria's mask, but Maria dodged her hand, frowning slightly. "No."

Julie withdrew her hand, sounding a bit hurt. "I was just worried about you, that's all."

Dora, unable to stand seeing Julie upset, glared at Maria and said irritably, "Why are you being so secretive? Maybe someone hit you."

Ethan's expression turned serious at Dora's words. "Maria, what happened to your face? If someone bullied you, tell me, and I'll handle it."

Before Maria could respond, Henry's voice came from the doorway. "Who needs handling?"

Henry walked in and immediately noticed Maria's mask, his expression changing. "What happened to your face?"

Henry wasn't as easy to fool as Kenna. Maria knew she couldn't avoid the truth, so she took off the mask, revealing the red, swollen handprint on her delicate face.

Henry's expression darkened, his eyes cold. "Who did it?"

Maria pressed her lips together, unwilling to answer. Her silence made Henry think of Kelly. He knew Maria had gone to see Kelly and was aware of Kelly's favoritism.

If Kelly was the one who hit her, Henry didn't know what to do. Kelly was Maria's mother and his mother-in-law. With this in mind, Henry stopped pressing and said to Maria, "Come upstairs."

Maria was surprised, expecting Henry to continue questioning her. Relieved, she followed him upstairs.

Downstairs, Ethan sensed from Henry's attitude that he knew who had hit Maria, likely a family member. Ethan had reviewed Maria's background and knew she had never met her biological father, Richard, and had always lived with her mother, Kelly. So, it was Kelly who had slapped her.

Julie watched Maria and Henry head upstairs with a hint of dissatisfaction. But seeing the slap mark on Maria's face, she decided to investigate further, thinking it might be useful to her.

In the upstairs room, Henry took out a medical kit and looked at Maria. "Come here."

Maria hesitated before walking over and sitting down. Kelly hadn't held back; her face was swollen, and even the corner of her mouth was cut, making her look particularly pitiful.

The cool medicine touched her face, causing Maria to shiver slightly. Henry's breath caught. "Does it hurt?" His voice was filled with concern.

Maria shook her head lightly. "Not really, it's ok."

Henry's movements became gentler.

"Open your mouth," Henry said as he applied medicine to the corner of her mouth. Maria obediently opened her mouth, revealing bloodstained lips that made her lips look even redder. Henry's throat tightened, his breathing quickened. He restrained his impulses and finished applying the medicine.

"All done," Henry said, his voice a bit hoarse. Maria looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"

Her eyes showed pure concern, but Henry's attention was on her lips. He exhaled and suddenly asked, "How will you thank me for applying the medicine?"

Thank him? Maria was momentarily confused. Wasn't he the one who insisted on applying the medicine? Did she need to thank him? Maria, still puzzled, asked, "How do you want me to thank you?"

She thought about buying Henry something, maybe a tie, given her tight budget. But before she could decide, Henry's face suddenly appeared close to hers. "I want you."

The last word was swallowed in a kiss. Henry didn't dare kiss deeply because Maria was injured, but he still left her breathless. Though they didn't go all the way, they did everything else. Maria used her hand to help him finish, her face flushed with embarrassment, unable to look at Henry. She felt the sticky liquid on her hand.

Maria's eyes widened, feeling helpless and frozen on the bed. Her reaction amused Henry, who laughed. Maria, embarrassed and angry, glared at him. "Stop laughing. I need to go to the bathroom."

But with her hand covered in semen, she didn't dare move, afraid it would spill. Maria blushed, avoiding looking at her hand, thinking she'd need to use a lot of soap.

"What about this?" she asked.

Henry, seeing her embarrassed face, stopped teasing and cleaned her hand with tissues. Once her hand was clean, Maria hurried to the bathroom, locking the door to prevent Henry from coming in. She washed her hands and looked at herself in the mirror, seeing the seductive look in her eyes.

When she finished her shower and came out, Henry was already in a bathrobe, and the bed linens had been changed. Maria looked at him in surprise. "Did you change these?"

"Who else?" Henry replied. "Who did you think?"

Maria felt a bit embarrassed, thinking it might have been Dora. Henry didn't seem like the type to do such things. She lowered her head and changed the subject. "I'm done. You should wash up."

After all, she might have gotten some on him. Henry chuckled lightly and walked past her.

The next morning, as Maria was about to leave for work, Julie stopped her, acting as if they were close friends. "Maria, let's go to work together. I've already called a cab."

Maria didn't understand Julie's intentions, but Julie seemed to be in good spirits lately, likely having found a solution to deal with the manager. Maria didn't want to take Henry's car to work, fearing her colleagues would see.

Considering Julie's invitation, Maria agreed. Henry, standing nearby, seemed displeased and got into the car with a cold expression. Julie noticed and said, "Maria, is Mr. Smith upset? You should make it up to him tonight."

She smiled mischievously, making Maria blush. Maria quickened her pace. "Let's hurry, or we'll be late."

Julie caught up, teasing, "Are you embarrassed? You've been married to Mr. Smith for so long, and you're still shy? You two haven't... been together yet, have you?"