Chapter 20
Sophie suddenly felt like crying. Her eyes grew red. She lowered her head and widened her eyes to prevent the tears from flowing down.
Roger could see how hard Sophie held back tears through the clevator’s mirror. His hands tightened their grip on the wheelchair. A strange emotion fluttered through his chest, prompting Roger to touch her head gently. In a tone he had never used before, Roger told Sophie, “If there’s someone you want to meet, go meet them. Don’t worry about the consequences. I’ll be here for you.”
Sophie seemed to feel a surge of strength from his large hand and soft caress. She couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. “Roger… thank you…” Her voice shook.
Roger knew Sophie was crying. He intentionally didn’t press the button to go downstairs and just waited for her until she regained her composure.
After breakfast, Sophie thought it over and was determined to go to the party. She asked Roger to take her to find Norman.
At the door of Norman’s study, Sophie knocked. Norman’s voice quickly came. “Come in.”
When he heard the sound, Roger was about to push Sophie in when she told him, “Wait for me at the door. I’ll go in by myself.”
Seeing that Sophie wanted to talk to Norman alone, Roger didn’t object. He said calmly, “Alright. I’ll wait for you at the door. Call me if you need anything.” His words reassured her and gave her
courage.
Sophie couldn’t help but nod gratefully. Then, Roger opened the door for her, and Sophie wheeled herself in.
Norman didn’t expect Sophie to come looking for him. “It’s you? What brings you here?” Although Norman was over sixty, he exuded a commanding presence.
Sophie, however, was not intimidated. She greeted Norman as she always did. “Mr. Norman, I have something to discuss with you.”
When Norman saw Sophie wasn’t afraid of him, he couldn’t help but admire her even more. “From the first day I met you, I thought you were clever and sharp. Now, it seems you are not only clever but also quite bold. You’ve been in the Nicholls family for only three days, and you dare to come to my study to talk to me. Tell me, what do you want to discuss?”
Norman couldn’t help but be curious. What could Sophie, who had just married into the family three days ago, have to discuss with him?
Sophie didn’t beat about the bush. She said plainly, “Mr. Norman, I want to attend your birthday
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Chapter zu
party.”
When Sophie brought up the birthday party, Norman’s brows furrowed slightly. “Didn’t you say day before that you wouldn’t go?”
the
Although Norman didn’t dislike Sophie and even somewhat admired her, she was still wheelchair- bound. He didn’t want the outside world to know that the marriage alliance between the Nicholls family and the Bourn family had ended like that.
Taking a deep breath, Norman decided to advise her. He said, “Sophie, I admire your personality, but with your current condition, attending the party in a wheelchair might lead to gossip about the Nicholls family. I think it is better not to force the issue.”
Sophie had already guessed that Norman would have concerns. After all, Roger was blind. A blind man pushing a wheelchair–bound woman would undoubtedly attract attention. The others might laugh at them.
With a solemn expression, Sophie’s eyes shone with determination. “Mr. Norman, I don’t need the wheelchair.” With that, Sophie exerted force with both hands, supporting her body as she stood up from the wheelchair.
The wheelchair made a faint noise. Roger caught it outside the door. His heart clenched. ‘Sophie is standing up again. She is too strong–willed,‘ he thought.
Seeing Sophie supporting herself against the wheelchair and standing up, Norman’s eyes were immediately filled with surprise. “You… can stand up?”
Norman was shocked. He thought, ‘What’s going on? Wasn’t Sophie paralyzed? How can she stand up just three days after arriving here?‘
Sophie saw Norman’s astonishment and could only explain in exasperation, “Actually, I could stand up a long time ago. It’s just that, due to some reasons, I didn’t have much time for rehabilitation when I was with the Bourn family. Your birthday party is still two weeks away. I promise that I will recover in two weeks. I won’t embarrass you.”
Norman saw Sophie’s determined effort and felt both admiration and sympathy. But, thinking of the Nicholls family, Norman still hesitated. “Two weeks might be too short. Don’t force yourself. If you fall…”
“I promise I won’t. Mr. Norman, trust me.” Before Norman finished speaking, Sophie made a determined promise. “I will not only avoid embarrassing you, but I will also make you proud.”
Sophie’s eyes were sincere, and Norman felt she was convincing.
Seeing Norman waver, Sophie continued, “Rest assured. I will double my efforts in rehabilitation. I will stay by Roger’s side that night, and he won’t need Willard to take care of him.”
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Chapter 20
Roger was Sophie’s trump card and Norman’s soft spot.
When Norman heard that Sophie would take care of Roger, he sighed. “Well, considering that the matter of Roger getting married is already known to the public, it’s beneficial for you to attend the party and meet those elders. It’s good for your and Roger’s future.”
Hearing Norman finally agree, Sophie couldn’t help but feel a little excited.
However, Norman added in a cold tone, “But I still have to see how your recovery is two weeks later. If you can’t walk well enough, then you can’t force it.”
Sophie’s expression became serious. She understood that Norman wasn’t satisfied with her being able to walk. He wanted her to walk steadily. So be it. Sophie didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of her biological parents, so she would double her efforts.
“Mr. Norman, don’t worry. I’ll work hard for my own sake too,” Sophie assured him.
Norman could see Sophie’s determination and didn’t say much. He just nodded and told her, “You can leave now.”
Sophie nodded and slowly returned to the wheelchair, suppressing her excitement. She turned the wheelchair and left the study.
Looking at her departing happily, Norman grinned. Sophie reminded him of himself when he was young. She was strong, resilient, intelligent, and brave. “Roger… has a good eye,” Norman murmured.
Although separated by a door, Roger’s hearing was excellent. He heard almost everything. Pushing Sophie back to the room, he could feel her happiness. Seeing her smiling, the tension in his heart eased a bit.
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Sophie was someone who took action. Sophie decided to start rehabilitation when they returned to their room. She had intended to hide it from Roger, but now that he knew everything, Sophie asked directly, “Do you have anything else to do later, Roger?”
Roger looked dully ahead and calmly replied, “No. Do you need something?”
Seeing that he was free, Sophie smiled. “Then, can you help me with rehabilitation?”
Sophie had been holding onto the walls during rehabilitation. However, there were places where Sophie couldn’t support herself, and she couldn’t turn around. If Sophie sat down and got up again, it would take a lot of time. Therefore, having someone assist during rehabilitation would be more efficient.
Roger’s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn’t expect Sophie to ask a blind man to help her with rehabilitation.