Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 101

Chapter 101: Bother Your Husband
“…en.”

Fluttering her eyes open, Lariette stirred awake hours later. Her blurry eyesight collided with the high ceiling above, eventually regaining clarity.

‘…what time is it?’

Lariette still felt sluggish, the heat still radiating from her skin. The room was dim, only being lit by a warm and golden light, originating from her left side.

Taking the damp cloth from her forehead, Lariette slowly turned her head around, following the source of light. Her brows arched slightly in surprise once her eyes collided with someone.

Ruediger. The man was asleep, slumping in a chair by the bedside with both arms across his chest.

‘Oh… I forgot. He took care of me. I remember Maddie too.’

Lariette turned her body around, lying on one side. She quietly stared at Ruediger, her sapphire eyes carefully assessing him.

Asleep, Ruediger’s head tilted down at an uncomfortable angle. His crimson hair, usually secured into a bun, was let loose. The locks framed his rugged face, some strands cascading to his back.

Lariette shifted her gaze from Ruediger, looking at the bedside table. She saw a bowl, most likely filled with water, along with a damp cloth resting on its rim. A jug, a glass and a thermometer were also there.

Propping herself up, Lariette sat on the bed. She pushed her hair to the back, her eyes were still on Ruediger.

Lariette didn’t recall everything that happened because she drifted in and out of consciousness. Still, she remembered Ruediger and Madeline taking care of her.

‘He should lie down.’

Lariette glanced at the wall clock, quite visible under the dim light. The clock had just struck twelve-twenty.

‘I’ve slept for so long.’

Dr. Larson finished checking up on Lariette around six in the evening. She guessed that she started sleeping around seven.

‘Oh! Toilet!’

Realizing the urgent call to relieve herself, Lariette scooted toward the edge of the bed, carefully putting her feet on the floor. She winced upon the first contact, feeling the pain from the cuts on her soles.

“…Lettie? You’re awake.”

Lariette abruptly looked up, her eyes colliding with Ruediger’s half-opened ones. The man pushed the fringes from his forehead, revealing his exhausted face.

Ruediger didn’t sleep too deeply. He was stirred awake by the sound of the blanket rustling when Lariette sat up just now.

“Eddy…”

“How do you feel now? Are you going to the toilet? Should I help you?”

Ruediger unintentionally cut Lariette off as she barely began talking. Rubbing his eyes, he saw the lady smiling faintly at him.

“There’s no need. You should go to bed, Eddy,” Lariette gently shook her head, helplessness imbuing her heart, “You haven’t gotten a decent rest, right?”

Ruediger was the hero of the day. Lariette was aware that he had been taking care of her from the beginning until now. She doubted he got any proper rest.

Even when she was sleeping comfortably on the bed, he opted to stay on the chair, guarding by her bedside.

“It’s fine. I can… Lettie!”

“Toilet! Ouch!”

Ruediger abruptly stopped midway when Lariette suddenly sprang to her feet and yelled in pain. He ended up carrying her to the washroom, faint chuckles rolling out of his mouth.

“Be careful. Wear the slippers.”

“Haha… okay.”

Lariette laughed awkwardly as Ruediger lowered her to the floor. She wore the bathroom slippers before disappearing inside. The man waited just by the door.

‘I think her temperature lessens.’

The thought crossed Ruediger’s mind, his eyes staring at his right palm. The heat radiated from Lariette’s body seemed lower than a few hours ago.

Ruediger didn’t notice when he fell asleep. He continued changing the damp cloth on Lariette’s forehead even after Madeline left.

‘Is she hungry? I should reheat the porridge.’

The kitchen sent more porridge to Ruediger just in case Lariette woke up hungry. He put them in the pantry, intending to reheat them if needed.

As for Ruediger, he had a heavy meal with Chairman Delaney and Madeline during dinner. Staying out in the cold, handling the scums and taking care of Lariette left him famished.

“Eddy.”

“Oh,” Ruediger snapped out of his trance, finding Lariette emerging from the washroom, “Are you hungry? We still have the porridge. Or, do you want something else?”

“…I’m a little hungry.”

Lariette smiled sheepishly, feeling how empty her stomach was. She initially wanted to tell Ruediger to rest but, the mention of food strayed her intention away.

Ruediger returned the smile. He helped Lariette to the bed, holding her arm because she refused to be carried again.

Lariette grimaced from the pain but, she forced herself to walk. She let out a sigh of relief once she sat on the bed.

“Wait here. I’ll go and get it.”

“Thank you, Eddy.”

Ruediger flashed Lariette a grin before heading out of the bedroom. She extended one hand, switching on the main lights through the buttons by the bed.

The previous days were so hectic.

The day before yesterday, Stephanie was left at the altar by Matthias right after the man announced her infidelity.

And, yesterday, Lariette herself was caught in a predicament. Fortunately, everything ended well for her—aside from bearing some cuts on her skin.

“Lettie!”

Ruediger returned with a tray of food and drink, his voice carrying a hint of joy. Lariette chuckled at the sight of his beaming face as if he didn’t look tired just now.

“Thank you, Eddy. I’ve bothered you since yesterday,” said Lariette, her eyes looking at Ruediger stirring the porridge in the bowl. He insisted on feeding her again.

Smiling, Ruediger brought the spoon to her lips after blowing it. His response flared the heat on her cheeks.

“A bother? A sick wife should rely on her husband so, don’t say you bother me.”

“…right.”

Lowering her head, Lariette quietly ate the porridge. Somehow, the taste felt a little sweeter than before.

It was over one o’clock when Lariette finished the bowl of porridge and a glass of warm milk. Ruediger brought the dishes to the pantry, cleaning them before returning to the room.

“Go back to sleep,” Ruediger gently urged Lariette to resume sleeping. He lowered himself on the chair, “You still need plenty of rest.”

Blinking, Lariette stared at Ruediger, questions forming in her mind. From what she saw, the man didn’t show any signs of moving away.

“Are you going to sit on that chair until the morning?” Lariette frowned, concern flickering in her eyes, “I’m fine, Eddy. You haven’t rested properly.”

Ruediger might seem all healthy and fit but, Lariette was still afraid of him pushing himself over the limits.

“You’re the one who’s sick now,” Ruediger chuckled. He stood up slightly, gently pressing Lariette’s shoulders, “Go on. Go to sleep.”

Narrowing her eyes, Lariette couldn’t help but think Ruediger was quite stubborn.

“Then, let’s do this.”

“En?”

Lariette scooted further away from the edge of the bed, crossing the middle. Grabbing her pillow, she pointed at the empty spot on the other side.

“You, sleep over there.”

Startled, Ruediger’s eyes widened slightly. He blankly looked from Lariette to the bed. Before he could say anything, she continued, not letting him protest.

“Get another blanket and lie down. Now.”

“…okay.”

What happened next put Ruediger in a trance. He found himself lying on the bed after retrieving a blanket from the wardrobe, facing Lariette.

Tonight… they shared a bed?