Chapter 42 - Be my husband forever

Shen sat by Lina's bedside diligently as she slept through the whole day. He wanted to wake her up to have some dinner. He had to look after her especially during this delicate recuperation period.

He finally decided to call his annoying mother over. Even though she hijacked his wife, he knew that Lina needed a mother's love to wake up to. She was especially attached to Rika and knew she would eat anything Rika cooked, especially that warm, nutritious chicken soup.

As expected, his mother reached Moshi mansion in 20 minutes flat. She had been cooking for her husband anyway, despite the array of cooks and servants they had at the old residence. She quickly prepared the chicken soup, additionally to all the other dishes and had it packed.

Rika always made time for Lina, who she saw as her own daughter, doting on her ceaselessly. When Shen told her that Lina had had an ordeal and had collapsed, her worry knew no bounds.

Shen allowed his mother into their bedroom, where Lina lay, looking exhausted and drained on the bed.

Rika's heart crumbled seeing how weak and worn out Lina looked. Was her stupid son looking after her at all?!

She knelt down by the bedside and quietly, and gently stroked Lina's forehead. She looked at Shen worriedly.

"Son, her temperature seems slightly abnormal. Pass me a thermometer quickly."

Rika had been a nurse when she was younger, before she married Soren Moshi. She could look after Lina well, if she had a fever.

Lina, did indeed, have a slight fever.

"37.6 degrees. Not too bad. Her immune system is slightly weak due to the recuperation and stress. She needs rest, son. And to be looked after carefully."

Shen's mother narrowed her eyes at him, silently blaming him for being irresponsible.

"Mother, she's an independent woman. I can't control her! She wanted to work. It helped her recuperate mentally as well, have some faith and trust herself! I don't want to make her a prisoner in this house. I don't want to see my wife helpless."

Rika didn't respond. She knew Shen was right. But this child, she was so precious.

"She needs to eat. I have to wake her up now."

Shen's mother laid one soft hand on Lina's forehead and stroked her quietly whispering to her to open her eyes.

She knew that the mental distress had taken its toll and she shouldn't be arisen very suddenly or harshly from a deep sleep.

But Lina didn't seem like she was going to wake up. He eyes remained shut, as a thin sheen of sweat formed on her forehead.

Suddenly, she gripped Rika's hand very tightly, almost making the older woman wince.

"Mother...mother...no, please don't go...don't leave me..."

Lina's breathing became distressed as tears starting seeping out of the corners of her closed eyes.

Rika and Shen's hearts ached for the pained-looking girl, her face revealing eons of sadness that just couldn't be wiped away.

They didn't know that today had been a triggering day for Lina.

They didn't know her memory was banging at the doors of her mind, pushing to be let back in.

But Lina wasn't prepared to open the doors yet. There were too many bad memories and insecurities hidden behind the good ones.

Just as she had remembered Shen, she had also glimpsed Tachi in her past.

She didn't know anything particular about her relationship with either one in the past, but she could understand her feelings.

When she remembered the day she met Shen at the café, she was filled with a sense of warmth and belonging and happiness.

But the moment in which Tachi came to her mind, a shiver ran down her back, and she wanted to get him off her like a tick clinging on to a dog's fur.

She felt fearful of and distrustful of Tachi, but she needed to know more from him. He held more keys to her past than Shen did.

As Rika cradled Lina's body in her arms and kissed her head, whispering quietly to her not cry and to wake up, Lina's breathing began to ease up.

Shen stood close by, his heart in his throat.

He wanted to hold his wife, but he sensed that she needed his mother more at that moment.

Finally Lina's eyes fluttered open.

Seeing Rika's kind face smiling down at her, her hands stroking Lina's wet cheeks, she smiled a little.

"Mother, you're here..."

Shen and Rika both smiled, relieved that Lina seemed to be okay after having woken up.

And then are eyes fell upon her husband.

Her husband?

He was standing by, watching her closely, worry lines on his forehead. His black t-shirt looked slightly crumpled, but his tall, s.e.xy figure and the dark hair contrasting his clear, fair skin made him look like a work of art.

For a moment, Lina felt like she was seeing him for the first time.

But she remembered Tachi's words.

*"He is not your husband, I am!"*

She felt like her heart was shattering. Her eyes were locked with Shen's, and he could see something change in the way she looked at him.

He went up to her and sat on the bed beside her immediately, taking her hands in his.

"What is it, angel. Talk to me."

As soon as Lina heard him ask her so sweetly, in the most concerned, caring tone, her heart just shattered to bits.

"Do you..." she began to say, but her voice cracked.

Rika understood that the two needed a private moment.

"Take your time, both of you. I'll be waiting downstairs and preparing the food. Come over when you're ready."

"Thank you, mother." Lina said this with tears in her eyes, thinking how much it would hurt if Shen wasn't her husband...and Rika wasn't her mother anymore.

Shen realised that the girl needed to be comforted.

He put his arms around her and spoke in an even gentler tone.

His familiar, musky smell made Lina feel like she was wrapped in cotton wool and nobody could ever enter their world.

"Baby, tell me what's wrong. Whatever it is, we will handle it together."

Cuddled in his arms, she looked up at him with wide, teary doe-like eyes.

"Will you be my husband forever?"