Ex-Husband’s Love Dilemma

Chapter 54

Cassandra hesitated briefly before responding. “Our divorce won’t pose any threat to Quinn Group.”

I’m

“You think the divorce is more pressing than my near–fatal car accident? Fm bedridden, and all you’re concerned about is getting a divorcel Are you worried that my crippled leg might be an inconvenience for you?” Orlando charged.

Cassandra found herself at a loss for words.

She thought, “What’s he talking about? Why is he being so unreasonable?’

She intended to clarify, but Orlando cut in, “Is this about my accident involving Rebecca? You’re being jealous, Cassandra.”

His last sentence is not a question but a statement.

Cassandra met his gaze coolly.

After a pause, she replied. “If I were jealous, how would you explain this to me?”

Orlando’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Have you fallen in love with me?”

“What do you think?” Cassandra countered.

Despite her calm exterior, her heart felt nothing.

Orlando pressed. “If you don’t love me, why are you reacting so strongly? Isn’t it because you’re jealous?”

He seemed convinced of her jealousy and that Cassandra was merely her emotions veiled.

Cassandra smiled faintly. “Orlando, would you be upset if our roles were reversed? Imagine your wife rushing out in a storm for another man and ending up in a hospital. Would you accept that if you were in my shoes?”

Orlando’s face immediately turned cold, and he stared at her indifferently.

He didn’t continue the topic. After a moment of silence, he said, ‘I don’t feel good; I want to take a shower.”

Cassandra paused and pursed her lips. “Right now?”

“Yes, now,” Orlando insisted.

Caught off guard, she suggested, I’ll get the nurse.

“A nurse?” Orlando questioned.

“You’re injured, and I might hurt you. Nurses are trained for this, so they won’t,” Cassandra explained.

She was about to leave to call the nurse when Orlando stopped her. “I don’t want a nurse.”

Cassandra remained silent, merely observing him.

He insisted, “You help me.”

She pursed her lips again. “Orlando, don’t be stubborn. It’s inconvenient for you to take a shower in your current state. You can’t even stand properly, and a fall could worsen your injuries.

“Do you hate the way I am now?” Orlando’s eyes narrowed, probing

Cassandra was taken aback. She hadn’t implied anything of the sort.

After a moment, she responded, “No, I don’t. I’m just worried about causing you more pain or making you fall. If you really need a shower now, let’s ask the nurse or Lloyd to assist, all right?”

“No.” Orlando refused, “Cassandra, we’re married. Why should I get someone else to help me?”

Cassandra was helpless, unsure of how to approach the situation

Nevertheless. Orlando remained firm, his expression souring by the second.

Cassandra was about to say something when the man cut in, his tone indifferent, “Forget it if you really don’t want to help me. I’m in the hospital anyway. It wouldn’t bother you or affect you. You’re free to come visit me, but if you don’t want to, then you don’t have to show up. I can’t even stand properly, so what can I do to you?”

Cassandra found herself at a loss of words,

She thought. What on earth is he saying?”

With a silent, resigned sigh, Cassandra clarified, “It’s not that I won’t assist you… I’ll get some warm water. We’ll skip the shower, I’ll wipe you down instead.”

She didn’t want to delve deeper, fearing he might criticize her further as a wife.

For some reason. Cassandra had noticed a change in Orlando, a hint of pretension, perhaps from spending too much time

with Rebecca.

Cassandra fetched a basin of warm water, placed a towel on a stool next to the bed, rolled up her sleeves, and locked the door. She then bent down to unfasten his hospital gown.

Orlando’s features, marred by a few scratches, remained striking.

The scars didn’t detract from his appearance; instead, they added a rugged, masculine edge, accentuating his already perfect features.

As she unbuttoned his shirt, Orlando’s gaze was fixed on her. Her expression was neutral, her lips slightly pursed, her demeanor cold.

He broke the silence. “Cassandra, do you hate me?”

Cassandra glanced into his eyes and replied simply, “Ne

u

He continued, “No? It seems like you don’t want for me. If it’s too hard or makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to keep doing this, okay?”

“We’re married, Orlando. This is my responsibility,” Cassandra said.

“Are you doing this just out of duty?” he asked again.

Cassandra chose not to answer, avoiding his gaze. She stood up, soaked the towel again and wrung it out, continuing the task

without another word.

However, Orlando kept his gaze on her throughout the process, which made her uneasy,

“Stop staring at me, Cassandra protested.

I’m injured and can’t get out of bed for the time being. You can’t even let me look at you?” he questioned.

29 Mon, 2y Apr:| Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

To this, she clarified, “I don’t mean it that way. It just makes it difficult to wash you properly when you’re staring at me like

that.

Tm only looking. It’s not like I’m in your way, Orlando retorted.

Feeling defeated by his persistence, Cassandra ceased her protests and focused on wiping his upper body. After redressing him, she inquired, “Feel better now?”

Orlando cemed unsatisfied. “That’s it?”

“Well, I’m done wiping you down, Cassandra said.

“But what about the rest of me?” Orlando asked..

Cassandra’s gaze involuntarily drifted downward, a look of discomfort crossing her face. Though they were familiar with each other’s bodies since they had sex, the current situation felt awkward and left her feeling at a loss.

Cassandra’s prolonged silence prompted Orlando to suddenly grasp her wrist.

Startled. Cassandra tensed up and instinctively tried to pull away, but he held firm. In a low tone, he questioned, “Cassandra, you despise me, don’t you?”

“I don’t she replied, her brow furrowed.

Then why do you seem so reluctant?” he pressed.

Caught off guard. Cassandra stammered, “1…”

As he tugged at her, she accidentally lost her balance and fell onto the hospital bed, inadvertently leaning on his injured leg.

Orlando groaned in pain.

Reacting quickly, Cassandra stood up, her panic evident, and she hastily lifted the quilt to inspect his injury.

His leg was fractured, and the wound was rather severe, to the extent that his bone was visible. When Cassandra landed on his leg, blood began seeping through the pristine, white bandage.

This caused her to look on with a serious expression,

Yet, as she met Orlando’s eyes, she noticed a softness, even a trace of a smile on his face, as if he wasn’t bothered by the pain.

He asked with a hint of mystery, “Cassandra, are you worried about me?”

Cassandra’s response was tinged with irritation. “Orlando Quinn, do you find this funny?”

Her tone was icy, her expression displeased.

She rarely addressed him by his full name, and though her voice carried a touch of anger, Orlando seemed oddly pleased by her reaction.

After a brief silence, he spoke softly, I didn’t find it funny. I just wanted to see if you still cared. You arrived so late; one might think we’re not on good terms.”

Cassandra’s frustration was palpable. “Orlando, how can you be so biased? You’re injured because of Rebecca, and now you’re trying to make me feel guilty?“,