The startled Leah jumped in her position.
The man who had just stormed into the room stood tall, towering well over six feet. The first few buttons of his white shirt was undone, giving a reveal of his well-sculpted figure inside. His sleeves were carelessly pushed up, fabric stretched tightly over firm muscles that radiated quiet power.
Beneath his rough appearance was a face too striking to dismiss, handsome, dangerous, and sharp. Those dark eyes of his held depth, grief, and desire in them. His sharp jawline had few stubbles on them, adding on the messy outlook.
Before Leah could process any of it, she was engulfed in a tight hug. The scent of woody cologne wrapped around her, serving as a overwhelming, foreign sensation.
All the nerves in her body were raised in caution, and her body froze.
Leah blinked her eyes, trying to register the situation.
"Wife, you're alive." His voice cracked with raw emotion, vibrating against her ear. "I can finally touch you."
Contrary to his intimidating appearance, the man's voice was filled with heavy despair. It felt as though finally he reunited with his precious treasure.
It only made Leah more confused.
The hands wrapped around her tightened as though the man wanted to merge her body with his. The strong possessiveness and desperation left her unable to react.
"It hurts," Leah voiced out, trying to struggle.
Only then did Leo came to his senses and stepped back to give her space.
Leah noticed the red, teary eyes of the man in front of her. Her impression of her new husband was weak. What she knew of him was from the people around her.
Although gossips were an unreliable source of information for her, however, even with her common sense alone, Leah knew the powerful figure her husband was.
The man walked around arrogantly, doing whatever he wanted, and never cared about offending others. His actions earned him the title of madman.
Therefore, Leah expected him to get enraged and shout at her.
Maybe throw a thing or two.
Or probably ignore her totally.
But what was with the inexplicable affection in his eyes? He resembled an abandoned puppy, waiting for her to pet him and take him home.
Even someone as slow as her noticed something was amiss.
"A-Are you alright?" Leah asked. "Even if you're sad that Arianna has been replaced with me, you can't cry."
"Did I scare you?" Leo carefully asked.
Leah slightly nodded her head before recalling how that was impolite and shook her head.
A small smiled played in Leo's eyes.
As expected, his Leah was truly adorable.
"I am sorry," Leo said, "you must have been really scared earlier. I left you alone, and you had to attend the wedding on your own. If you want to beat me up, I will accept it."
Leah was indeed disappointed.
And even a little sad.
But she didn't think it was worth creating fuss over. She had gotten used to it.
Leah shook her head.
Although she heard people talk about her behind her back, no one came to her and insulted her. Therefore, it was already better than what she faced at home.
Leo sighed.
His Leah was too kind.
He wished to beat himself up in front of her, but that would only frighten her further. From her trembling hazel eyes, he could see how she was already cautious of him.
Then, his dark eyes narrowed at her cheek. On a closer inspection, he noticed the subtle mark left behind under the makeup.
Extending his hand, he gently touched her cheek as if she was a delicate piece that would easily crumble under pressure.
The man's touch caused Leah to stiffen.
Her hazel eyes blinked, watching how the man's caring eyes change. All of a sudden, storm brewed underneath them, causing the tension in the room to thicken.
"Who hurt you?" His voice dripped with repressed anger.
"I just fell," replied Leah before taking a couple of steps back.
When Leo tried to decrease the gap between them, her eye widened, and she got up on the bed.
"Mr. Leo Zhen, there is no need for you to come so close," said Leah, "talk from where you are."
Only Leo knew how much he wished to hold his Leah and never let go of her.
However, the moment he tries to approach her, he knew that she would run away.
"Be a good girl." He softened his tone again, coaxing her. "Tell me the truth. Was it your father who hit you?"
Turbulent storms stirred up in Leo when he thought about all Leah had to suffer in that family. She was hardly treated like a human, and in the end, he felt proud of her being able to survive that.
Before Leah could say anything, her stomach grumbled, and she looked down at her stomach, patting it. After that, her eyes fell on Leo.
Looking at her behaviour full of wariness made Leo feel uneasy.
"Are you hungry?"
Leah's eyes lit up, happy that the man understood her cues. Instantly, a smile bloomed on to her face.
°°°
Leah sat on the chair, swinging her feet, while watching the man busy himself in the kitchen. With her head tilted, she observed him.
Although the man had a unsmiling, cold face, Leah was sensitive to emotions others displayed towards her. She knew he meant no harm to her.
When the freshly prepared bowl of noodles was placed in front of her, the scent wafting off of it made her feel satisfied.
As she looked at him, Leo gently said, "Eat."
At that, Leah eagerly picked up the chopsticks. Wrapping the noodles with the chopstick, she waited for the steam to decrease before taking a bite.
The wonderful burst of flavours on her tongue took her aback.
She didn't know when she last had such delicious food.
Leah quickly devoured rest of the noodles.
Supporting his head on the palm of his hand, Leo watched her relish a simple bowl of noodles. Although the scene was adorable, pity rose in his chest.
He knew her childhood deprived her of many normal things.
Once Leah was done with her last bite, she began to choke and started to cough. Tears welled up in her eyes from the impact when Leo patted on her back and handed her a glass of water.
"Slow down, Dear," Leo said, "we wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."
Leah then raised her head, grinning widely and contently at Leo.
Indentation was left in both sides of her cheek from the dimples.
As expected, the rumors were not reliable.
"Thank you," her low voice followed.
If Leo wasn't attentive towards her, he would have almost missed it.
After being subjected to ten years of negligence and abuse, Leo understood his wife had difficulty in communicating with others and expressing her thoughts.
This was one of the many reasons rifts arrived in their relationship.
Leo was a selfish and inconsiderate bastard who never stood in his wife's shoes to see the world from his perspective. He simply remained upset when things didn't go along with his wishes.
"Now, Dear, can you tell me whether or not your father hit you? Or if it was anyone else? I will take revenge on them for you," Leo said.
Although he tried to keep his voice as gentle as possible, Leah noticed the murderous intent crossing through his eyes.
Leah wished to ignore the topic, but those domineering dark eyes pinned her to her position, giving her no chance to escape.
After a moment of hesitation, Leah nodded her head slowly. "It was my dad. I acted out of line."
Leo's eyes narrowed, and violent thoughts crossed through his eyes. If the man was in front of his eyes, Leo would have crippled the hand that touched Leah.
How dare he try to slap Leah?
Leo took in a deep breath to calm his emotions.
"Does it hurt?" Leo asked.
Leah contemplated for a while before shaking her head.
This only led to the man feeling more heartache.
Nevertheless, he stated, "I wish I can become someone you trust. After you get hurt, I want to the first one you come to and complain. There is no trouble in the world I would get rid of for you."
The entire conversation she had with Leo made Leah's head feel heavy. She was used to being bullied and cast aside, and now his considerate words made her unable to react.
"Am I your husband?" Leo asked.
Leah nodded.
"Then, this is what a husband is supposed to do— protect and love his wife," explained Leo.