Chapter 7 – An Invalid
Xavier rocked back and forth in his wheelchair, clapping his hands like a child who had just been given a toy.
His eyes sparkled with excitement as he made incoherent sounds, his fingers curling and uncurling.
I stood frozen, unsure of how to react.
“This is Rachel, your wife–to–be,” Grandfather announced.
Xavier’s reaction? Nothing.
His expression remained blank, his lips parting slightly before he let out a small giggle.
I blinked. Was this really happening?
Grandmother smiled tightly, trying to mask her concern. “Rachel, why don’t you spend some time with Xavier? Get to know him.”
I wanted to protest, but I knew better than to argue. “Alright,” I muttered.
“Good.” Grandfather patted my shoulder. “We’ll give you two some privacy.”
The nanny, who had been gently rubbing Xavier’s shoulders, hesitated before nodding at
- me.
“If you need anything, just call.” With that, she left, closing the door behind her.
Now, it was just the two of us.
I slowly took a seat across from him.
Xavier continued to stare at the floor, occasionally giggling under his breath.
The room was too quiet, aside from his strange little noises.
I cleared my throat. “So… Xavier, do you understand what’s happening?”
No response.
I sighed. “I’m supposed to marry you. Did you know that?”
His gaze flickered toward me for a brief second before he went back to staring at the wall.
I frowned. “Nothing? No thoughts? No opinions?”
Silence.
This was ridiculous.
I leaned back, arms crossed. “Well, at least one good thing is coming out of this marriage.”
His fingers stopped moving.
“At least you can’t hurt me like Michael did.”
I could have sworn his eyes twitched slightly at the mention of Michael’s name.
My brows furrowed. “Wait… do you understand me?”
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Again, his expression remained neutral.
I narrowed my eyes. “Xavier.”
Nothing.
I leaned forward. “Michael,” I said again, carefully watching his face.
No reaction.
I exhaled, shaking my head. “Great. Now I’m imagining things.”
I rose from my seat, brushing invisible dust off my clothes. “Well, this has been… interesting. But I think I’ve seen enough.”
Still, no response.
Annoyed, I turned on my heels and walked out.
The driver was already waiting outside. He didn’t say a word as he opened the car door for
- me.
I climbed in, my mind still stuck on what had just happened.
The Xavier Crawford I had heard about was a ruthless businessman, one of the best of his time. And now, he was nothing more than a broken shell of his former self.
Why did it have to be him?
Back at the mansion, my grandparents were waiting for me in the study.
I wasted no time. “Why him?” I demanded.
Grandfather sighed. “Sit down, Rachel.”
I shook my head. “No, I want an answer. Why do I have to marry an invalid?”
Grandmother’s lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s tradition.”
I scoffed. “Tradition?”
Grandfather leaned forward, clasping his hands. “Your mother was supposed to marry Michael’s father. But she ran away and eloped with your father instead.”
I stiffened.
Grandmother nodded. “Your mother broke an important alliance, Rachel. Now, you’re fixing
it.”
I clenched my fists. “By marrying Xavier?”
“Yes.”
Grandfather sighed, rubbing his temple. “Even though Xavier is no longer the man he once was, his name still holds power. The Crawfords may have abandoned him, but his bloodline remains one of the most influential.”
“And he was once great,” Grandmother added softly. “Before the accident, he accomplished things that most men could only dream of. He was a genius in business. A leader.”
Chapter 7 – An Invalid
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bloodline remains one of the most influential.”
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“And he was once great,” Grandmother added softly. “Before the accident, he accomplished things that most men could only dream of. He was a genius in business. A leader.”
“Now, he’s “I hesitated. “Now, he’s just… broken.”
Grandfather exhaled. “That may be true, but he is still Xavier Crawford. And you, Rachel, are a Blake. This is bigger than personal feelings. This is about legacy.”
I swallowed hard.
Legacy.
A few days ago, I was nothing but a woman scorned. And now, I was being asked to carry the weight of my family’s name.
I straightened my posture. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Relief washed over my grandparents‘ faces.
“The wedding will be held tomorrow,” Grandfather said.
My breath hitched. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Grandmother confirmed. “It’s best to make it official as soon as possible.”
My heart pounded, but I forced a smile.
Tomorrow, I would marry a man who didn’t even understand what marriage meant. Tomorrow, I will officially become Rachel Blake Crawford.
And there was no turning back.
