Arrange Marriage

CHAP 18

Mingyu stared at the wheelchair beside the bed with a sour expression, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His leg was propped up, wrapped in a stiff brace that made movement nearly impossible, and every time he tried to shift, a fresh wave of pain shot through him. The doctor had been firm: no weight on the leg for at least a month. But the thought of staying in that chair drove him nearly insane.

Wonwoo stood nearby, biting back a smile as he watched Mingyu’s restless movements and frustrated sighs. He could sense the storm brewing, knowing that Mingyu’s usual energy and zest were now contained in a body that refused to cooperate.

“This thing is driving me crazy,” Mingyu muttered, glancing at the wheelchair like it was an enemy. “I can’t sit still. I’m not built for this, Wonwoo. I need to move, to do something.”

Wonwoo stepped closer, crouching down to meet Mingyu at eye level. His voice was gentle, but the amusement in his tone was unmistakable. “You do realize this is only temporary, right? The more you rest, the sooner you’ll heal.”

“Yeah, but it feels like a lifetime already,” Mingyu groaned, rubbing his temples. “I just want to be back to normal, not stuck here doing nothing.”

Wonwoo’s hand reached out, lightly patting Mingyu’s knee, careful to avoid the bruised and sensitive areas. “You’ve been through a lot, and your body needs time to heal. But I get it,” he said, his eyes softening as he looked up at him. “I know it’s hard for you to slow down. But I’d rather have you irritated and safe in this chair than pushing yourself and ending up hurt even worse.”

Mingyu’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a defeated sigh. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just… frustrating.”

Wonwoo chuckled softly, his fingers brushing over the arm of Mingyu’s wheelchair. “How about this? If you promise to actually stay put and not sneak around, I’ll make sure you’re not too bored. We’ll do things together—even if it means rolling you from one end of the house to the other.”

Mingyu cracked a smile, a little of the tension easing from his face. “You’d actually do that? Just push me around all day?”

“If that’s what it takes to keep you in this chair, absolutely,” Wonwoo said with a grin. “And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll make sure you’re involved with some of my work tasks. Keep your mind busy so you’re not just sitting here, thinking about everything.”

Wonwoo stood up, patting the wheelchair as he moved behind it. “Now, let’s go. I promised you I’d take you to the garden. You could use some sunlight.”

With surprising gentleness, Wonwoo wheeled Mingyu out, taking the long route to give him a change of scenery. The house had always been vast, but this time, he moved through each room, pointing out details, telling stories, and making Mingyu laugh along the way.

Once they reached the garden, Wonwoo helped him settle on a shaded bench by the fountain, arranging a small table beside him. He brought out Mingyu’s favorite book and even set up his tablet in case he wanted to read or watch something.

Mingyu sighed as he leaned back, his shoulders relaxing for the first time all day. “Thanks, Wonwoo. I know I’m a handful right now. You don’t have to go out of your way just to keep me sane.”

Wonwoo looked at him, his gaze softening as he knelt beside him. “Mingyu, I’ll go out of my way a hundred times if it means you’re okay. It doesn’t matter how restless you get or how much you want to do things yourself. You mean too much to me for me to let you overdo it.”

Mingyu felt his cheeks warm, and he looked down, trying to hide the small, grateful smile tugging at his lips. “Fine, I’ll try to behave,” he said, his voice quiet. “But only if you promise to keep me company.”

Wonwoo smiled, brushing his thumb over Mingyu’s knuckles. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

And from that day on, Wonwoo made sure Mingyu never felt alone or frustrated. He was there, every step of the way, reminding him that even if he couldn’t move at his usual pace, he was still moving forward—together.