Chapter 31 What is a Wife
"What's got you lost in thought?" Steven asked, glancing at her when he noticed she hadn't moved for a while.
Their eyes met.
Nora's heart skipped a beat.
"Come on, hop on up," Steven urged her.
Nora hesitated for a moment, then leaned her soft, fragrant body forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
Steven easily lifted her onto his back.
His long arms supported her under her thighs. Nora blushed slightly, resting her head on his back, inhaling his cool scent, and feeling a sense of security wash over her.
The frustration from earlier in the day started to fade away.
Steven carried her into the elevator, which had a few other people inside. A little boy pointed at them and said to his mom, "Mom, that man is giving the lady a piggyback ride. I want one too!"
The boy's mom looked at Steven and Nora, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the handsome man and beautiful woman.
Nora's face turned even redder.
She felt embarrassed, being a grown woman carried by her husband into the elevator.
Compared to her, Steven seemed completely unbothered. He glanced at the little boy and then looked away.
The little boy continued to fuss, wanting a ride.
His mom said, "You're too big for that now. You can't always get a piggyback ride."
"Then why can that lady get one?" the boy asked, confused.
Nora felt awkward.
Steven responded to the boy, "My wife hurt her foot. Did you hurt your foot?"
Nora lightly punched his back.
How could he say that? The boy's mom was right there, and it sounded like he was cursing the kid!
The boy innocently asked, "Wife? What's a wife?"
Nora stayed silent.
The boy's mom crouched down and explained, "A wife is someone you spend your life with. When you're lonely and need help, they're there to give you warmth and support. When you're happy or sad, they're there to share those moments with you, making you feel safe and loved,"
At that moment, the elevator doors opened.
Steven walked out.
Nora didn't hear the rest of the explanation and turned her head, wanting to hear more.
Steven noticed and suddenly stopped.
Just before the elevator doors closed, Nora heard the boy's mom say, "A wife is someone who cherishes and heals all your unhappiness."
Nora couldn't help but smile.
What a beautiful explanation. The boy's mom must be a very gentle person.
Yes, that's what a partner is for – to share a lifetime and heal all your sorrows.
They entered their home, greeted by the delicious smell of dinner.
Olivia had already prepared dinner and was waiting for them.
"You're back?" Olivia walked over, surprised to see Nora soaking wet. "What happened?"
"I tripped, but it's no big deal," Nora replied, signaling Steven to put her down.
Steven set her down gently. "Can you walk?"
Nora took a few steps and found she was fine. She smiled, "I'm okay."
"Where are your shoes?" Olivia asked.
Nora stuck out her tongue, "The heel broke, so I threw them away."
"Go take a shower first. You're all wet, and it's easy to catch a cold in this weather," Olivia urged them.
They each went to their respective rooms to shower.
Steven's master bedroom had an en-suite bathroom.
Nora used the bathroom in the living room.
Twenty minutes later, they both came out, dressed in comfortable loungewear.
Nora wore new pajamas that night, and Steven noticed they matched the ones she had bought for him earlier.
Since it had been hot, Nora hadn't worn those pajamas, opting for a camisole dress instead. Now that the weather was cooler, she took out the short-sleeved and long-pants set.
They met in the dining room, and Steven paused for a moment. Nora blushed a little too.
Ever since their relationship improved, they often felt shy and affectionate around each other.
Olivia looked at them and thought they made a great couple!
She smiled, "Come on, let's eat!"
"What's got you daydreaming?" Steven tapped Nora's forehead when he saw her zoning out.
Nora snapped out of it, smiling sweetly. She rubbed her forehead and said, "Oh, nothing."
They sat across from Olivia.
Olivia was a great cook. She served Nora some food, "How did you hurt your foot today?"
Nora's mood darkened as she recounted the day's events, "Bianca played a trick on me."
She told them what happened.
Olivia frowned, clearly displeased, "Bianca is getting more and more out of line!"
She tried to claim Nora's goods for the company!
So greedy!
"Who told you to check the goods and then take them back?" Steven asked.
Nora replied, "It was Cindy. Ever since our company rejected the chips she delivered, she's held a grudge and makes things difficult for me every time I go to Aurora Tech!"
Steven's lips tightened.
Cindy, huh?
After dinner, Steven went to his room to make a phone call to James, "James, inform Aurora Tech that I want Cindy to bring the documents to the company tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
At the Reed house.
Because Vivian had called the company, the Reed family knew about the 1210 units Nora had.
Willie had returned from a business trip.
During dinner, the family was criticizing Nora.
Bianca complained, "That bitch knew the 1210 units were scarce and would increase in price, so she hoarded a batch and didn't tell us! I saw it myself. She bought two big boxes. Aurora Tech said she has 860 units!"
"I've always said Nora is an outsider and won't truly care for the company," Eleanor said, looking at Willie, hoping he would take a stand.
Willie was looking at his phone, seemingly not paying attention to the conversation.
Eleanor glanced over and saw he was chatting with a woman on Facebook, smiling slightly.
The woman on Facebook wasn't Olivia.
Eleanor knew well that Olivia and Willie had been sleeping in separate rooms for months. Willie was a normal man; how could he go months without any physical needs?
Of course, he found someone else.
Blame Olivia for being so weak! Treating her pregnancy like it was something precious, so delicate!
Eleanor said, "Willie, did you hear? Nora has a valuable batch of goods."
Willie snapped out of it, putting his phone down, "Let it go. Nora has helped me a lot in the past. Let her make some money."
Terry said, "Willie, that's not the point. Didn't Nora's family member have cancer recently? She spent all her money on her grandpa's surgery. How did she get the money to buy the goods? Willie, have you considered that maybe someone stole from the company while you were away?"
Terry was implying that Nora had stolen company products.