Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger-Chapter 11: Trust But Verify

During lunch, Soren explained what he planned to do while feeding Ethea the simple vegetable soup he’d prepared. Hiring a caregiver, registering at the Awakened Bureau, and finding work to earn money for their expenses.

Surprisingly, she accepted everything without any resistance. Perhaps she understood he couldn’t always be there. Perhaps she was equally worried about the private matters that neither of them wanted to address directly.

Either way, she agreed.

That was enough.

---

A few minutes after 1 PM, the doorbell rang once more.

Soren, who just finished cleaning the kitchen, wiped his hands on a towel and headed to the front door, composing himself.

He opened it.

A woman in her mid-forties stood on the porch. She had a round, kind face with gentle eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled. Her graying hair was covered by a traditional headscarf wrapped neatly around her head. She wore a long, modest dress in muted colors with a professional robe overtop, both practical and respectful. A small professional bag hung from her shoulder.

"Mr. Valmere?" Her voice was warm and steady.

"Yes. You must be Lady Clara."

"That’s right." She smiled. "Thank you for having me."

"Please, come in."

Soren stepped aside, watching her as she entered. The way she moved was unhurried, calm. Her gaze swept the entryway briefly before settling back on him, observant but not judgmental.

"My wife is upstairs," he added. "I’d like you to meet her first, if that’s alright."

"Of course. That’s the most important part."

Soren then led her up the stairs, his senses heightened.

Although he appeared normal, he tracked every detail about her expression.

But there was nothing wrong with her, just professional composure and genuine warmth.

They reached the bedroom, and he opened the door.

Ethea was in her wheelchair by the window, staring out at the small backyard. She turned at the sound of the door.

"Ethea, Lady Clara’s here."

Ethea’s ice-blue eyes shifted from Soren to the stranger, assessing.

Clara stepped forward with that same gentle smile and crouched to be at eye level.

"Hello, dear. My name is Clara."

Her voice was soft, respectful. There was no trace of condescension.

Ethea stared at her silently.

Clara didn’t flinch or look away.

She just waited, patient and steady.

They talked for a while.

Well, Clara talked. Ethea listened.

The woman spoke about herself, her experience, her approach to care, and her philosophy about treating people with dignity. She asked a few questions, but never pushed for answers. When Ethea didn’t respond, she simply moved on to the next topic.

Occasionally, Ethea gave a tiny nod. Once, a single word.

But Clara accepted it all without comment.

After a moment, she continued.

"I know having a stranger in your home must be uncomfortable. But I’m here to help however you need. And if at any point you’re unhappy with my care, just tell your husband. I’ll leave, no questions asked."

Silence stretched between them.

Then Ethea’s lips moved.

"...Why?"

Clara tilted her head slightly. "Are you asking... Why am I doing this work?"

Ethea gave a faint nod.

Clara’s expression softened. "It’s because... I understand what you’re going through. When I was younger, I couldn’t walk either. I was born that way. I couldn’t do anything for myself."

Soren’s attention sharpened.

’So there was such a thing?’

He kept his face neutral, but filed the information away. He’d need to verify it later, of course. Trust was earned, not given. But if true...

"But I had someone," Clara continued. "A neighbor woman who lived two doors down. She was already retired, a former nurse. Every day, she came to my house. Helped me eat, helped me wash, helped me with exercises that felt pointless at the time."

Her eyes grew distant, lost in memory.

"I was angry back then. At the world, at my body, at everyone who could do things I couldn’t. I pushed her away more times than I can count. Yelled at her. Told her to leave me alone."

She smiled softly.

"She never did."

Soren listened in silence.

"It took years. Years of little progress, of setbacks, of wanting to give up. But she was always there. And one day, I moved my toe. Just a little. Then my foot. Then I stood, with her holding me up."

Clara paused, her eyes glistening slightly.

"When I awakened later, my body finally healed completely. I could walk on my own feet, run, dance, things I’d only dreamed of as a child. And when that happened, I knew what I wanted to do with my life."

She looked directly at Ethea.

"I wanted to help others the way she helped me. To be that person for someone who needs it."

The room was quiet.

Ethea studied her for a long moment.

Then, almost imperceptibly, she nodded.

"...Alright."

Clara’s smile widened in relief and joy.

"Thank you for trusting me."

"Then, let’s go down and sign the deal."

Soren suggested and led Clara downstairs to the small living room.

He prepared tea, and they sat across from each other.

However, before talking about the contract, he did a small interview. Asked about her background, her experience, and her references. He even mentioned what happened last night, not the details, just that there had been an incident and he needed someone he could trust.

Clara answered everything honestly.

And by the end of the interview, Soren was satisfied.

"Thank you."

Clara smiled. "So I’m hired?"

"Yeah. When can you start?"

"Today, if you need."

Soren nodded.

They worked out the schedule.

Afternoon and evening today instead of morning, so that he could handle his business at the Awakened Bureau without worry.

They signed the contract.

Then he led her back upstairs, explained the arrangement to Ethea, and grabbed his jacket.

At the door, he paused.

He saw Lady Clara talking to Ethea while unpacking her things.

With a satisfied smile, he left the house.

However, he remained outside, staring at the hovering window in his vision.

__________

Name: Clara Hart

Status: Healthy

Age: 47

Rank: 1st Circle (Peak)

Current Mana Level: Moderate (9054)

Mental State: Stable, Content

Investment Value: Low

Potential: 3rd Circle (Estimated)

_________

He’d used his Authority Skill on her during the interview. He would be an idiot not to use it.

And this was the biggest reason why he agreed to this so easily.

But Soren didn’t dare to gamble.

He leaned against the fence and waited.

He focused on Tether Bond, on that faint connection to Ethea somewhere upstairs. This was the item he got from the returns, which would allow him to sense Ethea’s location and sense if she was in danger. A pretty useful tool indeed.

However, even after half an hour, nothing noteworthy happened.

It seems like he was worried for nothing.

’Alright, let’s take care of the registration first.’

Soren pushed off the fence and headed down the street.

’And get a Hunter’s license if possible.’