Chapter 415 - My Husband, My Secret Lover

Author POV

Hearing this, Stela said helplessly, "Yes, I did say that before. But..."

"It’s meaningless to talk about this now. And you don’t need to explain anything to me,"

Hayden interrupted her, "I used to be too stubborn and unwilling to let you go. Don't worry. I won't force you to be with me again. You can leave here and start a new life or a new relationship as you want. I won’t stop you. But as your ex-husband, I want to remind you that Victor is not a good man and he’s not good enough for you. If you want to start a new relationship, you can consider choosing another man."

"What about you?"

"Me?"

"Yes," Stela licked her lips and said, "If I leave, what will you do? Will you get the children a stepmother?"

"Don't worry. I won't get married again in my life," Hayden said.

Realizing that they had got off the topic they should talk about, Stela got back to the point, softening her voice and saying, "If you don’t want me to help you take a shower, I won’t do it. But let me help you prepare for the shower, okay?"

"OK," Hayden unexpectedly agreed and turned his face away. "I hope this is the last time that you insist on helping me against my will. You just need to move a chair to the bathroom and put it in the shower for me. As for other things, I can handle them myself and you don't have to worry about them." He was afraid that his heart would soften when he met Stela’s gaze so he forced himself not to look at her.

Nodding with a helpless look, Stela said, "Okay. Sit here and have a rest. I'll call you after I finish preparing everything."

Stela chose a comfortable chair in the dining room, moved it into the bathroom, put it into the shower stall, and adjusted its position.

After confirming that Hayden could take a shower easily sitting on it, she breathed a sigh of relief. Then she went to Hayden’ bedroom to get clean clothes for him.

A few minutes later, she went back to the living room and said to Hayden who was sitting in his wheelchair in a daze, "I’m finished. Let’s go to the bathroom. If there is anything I forgot to prepare, just let me know."

Nodding gently, Hayden controlled his wheelchair and went to the bathroom. Holding the edge of the wash basin as a support, he moved his body with difficulty and slowly sat on the chair in the shower stall.

Standing aside, Stela wanted to help him and reached out her hand many times but she withdrew her hand every time when she was about to touch him for fear that her behavior would hurt his pride.

Seeing Hayden finally sit down on the chair, she couldn't help but ask, "You may check the water temperature first. Tell me if the temperature is not proper and I’ll adjust it for you. Or it will be troublesome for you to adjust it when taking a shower."

"No need. Please help me push the wheelchair out of here. And then you can go back to your room to have a rest," Hayden said indifferently. Then he began to take off his coat slowly. It took him a long time to unbutton his coat. When he began to unbutton the first button of his shirt, he couldn't help but look at Stela in the mirror and asked, "Do you have anything else to do here?"

"Wrap your legs with it in case the plaster gets wet," Stela said and picked up a roll of plastic wrap on the shelf next to her. Just now, when she went to the dining room, she remembered the doctor’s advice and went to the kitchen to fetch the plastic wrap.

Hearing this, Hayden was a little surprised. Stela, you’re always full of ideas. Only you can think of such a special way to protect the plaster, he thought and sighed with emotion.

He couldn’t help wanting to smile but restrained himself from doing that on second thought because he didn’t want to show his true feelings in front of Stela. Adjusting his mood, he said with a serious look, "I can do it myself."

Today, Hayden had said these words to Stela countless times. Hearing this, Stela didn’t insist on helping him as before and just nodded. After confirming that he was sitting steadily, she walked out of the bathroom.

Since she was still worried about Hayden, she didn’t go back to her room or go to see the children. Instead, she silently waited outside the bathroom so that she could come to Hayden's side immediately if anything unexpected happened. She knew Hayden well. If something really happened, it was almost impossible for him to take the initiative to ask for help. Therefore, she must pay close attention to him.

Ten minutes had passed, and there was still no sound of water in the bathroom. Stela couldn't help but wonder, What are you doing? Are you afraid that the plaster will get wet so you decided not to take a shower, Hayden?

Frowning slightly, she approached the bathroom door and listened to the sound inside. Another five minutes had passed, and there was still no sound of water in the bathroom and Stela couldn’t keep calm anymore. Gently knocking on the door of the bathroom, she asked, "Are you okay? Do you need any help?"

In the bathroom, Hayden, who had taken off his shirt, was thinking about how to wrap the plastic wrap around his legs so as not to get the plaster wet. He had good hands-on skills, but he had never done such a thing as wrapping his legs with plastic wrap, so he didn't know where to start.

When Stela's voice full of concern suddenly came from outside, he was startled and immediately replied to her in an anxious voice, "I'm fine. I don't need any help."

As soon as he finished his words, he looked at the door, afraid that she would ignore his words and directly rush in. Then he was regretful that he did not lock the bathroom door just now. After calming himself down, he decided to lock the door first. Holding the edge of the bathtub, he tried to stand up but failed. It was difficult for him to leave the chair, let alone walk to the door. For fear Stela would come in, he said loudly again, "Just leave me alone."

However, hearing his words, Stela felt that he was trying to hide something from her and became more worried. "May I come in?"

"No!" Hayden said through gritted teeth.

Why did you suddenly come back when I decided to make a clean break with you? Why do you always behave as if you care about me since you don’t love me anymore?

Somehow, he felt a sudden surge of anger and then said ruthlessly, "I said I don’t need help! Stay away from me!" His voice was hoarse and full of anxiety. And it sounded as if he was suffering great pain.

"If you don't let me in, I'll call Luke over to help you!" Stela was so anxious that she grabbed the doorknob tightly and was ready to rush into the bathroom at any time.

"I said I don't need help! And I've told you that whatever happens to me has nothing to do with you!" Hayden said coldly.

As he stubbornly refused to let Stela in, Stela thought that he must have had an accident and was trying to hide it from her. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Hayden, tell me what happened to you. If you still refuse to tell me, I will directly break in!"