Suddenly Became CEO's Wife Paralyzed

Emelia's POV

"Marry Mr. Samuel, Emelia!"

I fell silent as I heard my father ask me to marry a man I didn't know at all. I looked calmly into his face. I knew for sure something wasn't right, considering that my father had always spoiled Bianca, my younger sister, more than he had me. It should have been Bianca who was asked, not me.

"Why me? Why not Bianca?" I asked with a blank expression.

"Your sister is still too young, Emelia!" replied Mom, who had just come in carrying a cup of hot tea for Dad.

Hearing that, I smiled cynically. Too young? That's a completely ridiculous excuse, considering we're only two years apart. Just last year, I had to give up the man I liked for Bianca, who it turned out also loved him.

"I'm sorry, I can't, Dad. I don't want to get married," I refused outright.

"You dare to talk back, Emelia? You have to marry Mr. Samuel, whether you like it or not! You have to be the collateral because your father owes his company a huge debt!" Mom said in a raised voice.

I smiled bitterly. So, the reason is the debt? How heartbreaking. I even found myself wondering if I was really their daughter or not. All this time, it's only Bianca who's received affection, while I've been treated like a servant in my own home.

"Marry him, Emelia. What Mom said is true! You won't just be collateral-your life will also be better after this. You'll marry the richest man in this country," Dad replied, glaring at me sharply.

"Then why not just Bianca? Why doesn't Dad's favorite daughter marry him so she can live comfortably?" I challenged him directly.

"No way! I don't want to be arranged to marry that paralyzed CEO! Let my sister marry him-he's a perfect match for her ugly face!" Bianca retorted, suddenly appearing.

I smiled cynically. Maybe if I took care of myself, my face would be as beautiful as Bianca's. But I've never had that chance-not even a single skincare product has ever touched my skin. No wonder I look dull and unkempt.

So that's the reason. Because that man is paralyzed, they're sacrificing me.

I nodded slowly, agreeing to the arranged marriage without a second thought. This is my ticket to escape this house that feels like hell.

I don't care if that man is paralyzed or even a monster. I'm getting married just so I can get out of here. After that, whether I'm divorced or cast out, I don't care-as long as I'm free from the family that's treated me like a slave for the past twenty-five years.

"All right, I'm willing to marry him. But I have one condition: after we're married, you're no longer my family. I'm done with you all!" I said firmly.

Everyone agreed, especially Bianca. She even leaned in and whispered in my ear that my future husband was a monster. I just stared at her blankly. I wasn't afraid-I'd already spent twenty-five years living with monsters in this house.

***

Who would've thought that the very next day, I'd be forcibly taken away by a group of men in black suits. I was ushered into a luxury car without knowing where we were headed.

Last night, I'd managed to look up some information about my future husband online. Samuel De Leon, a thirty-five-year-old man who'd been in a tragic accident three years ago. Rumors said Samuel was completely paralyzed, and his face was reportedly mangled like a monster's due to the explosion.

Not only his body, but his personality had also taken a terrifying turn. Samuel had become a hot-tempered man who flew into rages because of his condition. Reportedly, if he didn't like someone, he wouldn't hesitate to kill them on the spot.

It's terrifying, isn't it?

I should have run away that night. But no, I didn't care. Even if I had to die at his hands, I'd consider it fate. I'm just too tired of this life.

The car stopped in front of a magnificent mansion heavily guarded by dozens of bodyguards. I stood transfixed, staring at the opulence before me.

"Please step out, Ma'am. The Master is waiting for you inside," said a servant as he opened the car door.

I nodded. Suddenly, my heart began pounding. With slow, deliberate steps, I followed the guard into the house, whose interior was almost entirely lined with gold.

My steps halted when the loud sound of a plate shattering echoed through the vast room. I didn't tremble. I was used to rough treatment at my old home; my mother would often snatch my plate away and toss it aside just because I dared to eat without permission. The sound of a shattering plate wasn't something that could scare me.

"Sir, what was that noise?" I asked softly to the bodyguard beside me.

"That's Mr. Samuel, the lady's husband. He's probably angry at the servant because this morning's meal didn't suit his taste," he replied calmly, as if this were an everyday occurrence.

"Husband?" I repeated, since I thought our status was still that of fiancés.

"That's right, ma'am. He's already legally registered your marriage. You're officially Mr. Samuel's wife now."

I nodded slowly. So everything had been planned out this way. "Is he always like that?"

"No. He used to be very gentle. Everything changed after that accident."

I started walking again, wanting to see what kind of chaos my husband was causing. But I froze when I saw the man in the wheelchair. Where was the monstrous face everyone had been talking about?

What I saw was actually a very handsome man. His skin was smooth, clear, and radiant, without a single scar. I'm sure if Bianca saw this, she'd fall to her knees crying, begging to take my place.

There was no monster's face here. All there was was a gaze that was truly terrifying-cold and sharp like an eagle ready to pounce on its prey.

"Why did you throw away the food?" I asked directly, without a hint of fear. After all, I'm legally his wife now, right?

I saw the remains of food scattered on the floor. "What do you want to eat? I can make it for you. Don't waste food."

"Who told you to speak?" he hissed sharply. He stared at me with a gaze capable of freezing the blood in my veins.

I took a slow breath, steeling my resolve not to waver in the face of his intimidation. In fact, I wanted to soften that icy glare so that when he looked at me next, his gaze would be gentle.

"I'm your wife, so it's only natural that I speak," I replied calmly.

"Even though you're my wife, you have no right to boss me around! Especially since you're just a collateral wife. Your father couldn't pay his debts, so he sold you to me!"

I nodded, not the least bit offended or afraid by his words.

"True, my father did give me to you as collateral. But since I'm now your wife, I have the right to speak my mind-or even run this household."

"Don't even think about it!"

"Fine, then divorce me right now. I don't mind! I'll leave here this very second," I challenged him.

Samuel sneered. "It won't be that easy. You have to stay here and be a servant in this house!"

I gave a faint smile, then stepped closer and bent down slightly so our faces were level. "Ah, you mean a servant whose job is to serve you in bed as well, my husband?" I teased boldly.

***