Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 41: Washing Away The Worries

Chapter 41: Washing Away The Worries

Chapter 41: Washing Away The Worries

Steam rose gently around them, filling the small bathroom with warmth and softness.

Callian stood behind Eira, moving his hands carefully, thoughtfully, as he worked the water through her hair.

She closed her eyes, feeling the gentle pressure of his fingers on her scalp; standing behind him was comforting her.

As he reached for the bottle of shampoo, Eira opened her eyes, glancing back at him.

"I... I should be helping you," she said in a soft but slightly embarrassed tone. "I mean, you’re the one recovering."

"Nonsense. It’s a husband’s job to take care of his wife," he replied, running his fingers through her wet hair to massage in the shampoo.

The words slipped from him naturally, making her blush.

Eira’s heart fluttered, and she tried to hide a smile.

"I suppose I can’t argue with you," she whispered, leaning back into his touch.

She felt his hands move with care, as though he was washing away not only the dirt from her skin but the worry, tension, and memories on her.

His hands moved to her shoulders, gently rubbing small circles along her muscles.

She breathed out, her body relaxed beneath his touch.

His thumbs pressed into her shoulders, working out little knots of tension she hadn’t even realised were there.

"Callian..." she murmured, looking down, slightly shy under his touch.

"Yes, love?" he replied, leaning in closer; his breath felt warm against her ear.

Callian’s tone was gentle but playful, with a softness that she was learning was uniquely his.

She hesitated, couldn’t quite put into words.

"Thank you," she said simply. "For being here. For... for this... for waking up."

Callian smiled, his hands moved lower, rubbing along her back and sides in gentle, soothing strokes.

"I’ll always be here, Eira," he said quietly. "Wherever you need me, whatever you need me for. That’s my promise to you."

Eira’s heart swelled, and for a moment, she closed her eyes, letting herself be wrapped in the warmth of his words and his hands.

He worked the water over her shoulders, down her arms, and along her back, careful and gentle in each part.

A comfortable silence settled between them as he washed her; the sound of running water and his quiet hums filled the air.

She turned to look at him, watching as he rinsed the soap from her arms.

He had a calm expression on his face.

She felt a softness in her chest that was deeper than anything she’d felt before—an acceptance, a peace she hadn’t thought she’d ever find.

When he was done washing her hair, Callian gently tilted her head back under the warm stream to rinse out the last of the shampoo.

As the water flowed through her hair, she caught his gaze. "You make me feel... safe," she admitted.

His face softened, and he brushed a damp strand of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering just a moment longer against her cheek.

"That’s all I want," he said. "For you to feel safe. For you to know you’re loved. For you to know that I will wake up, even from a coma, if I feel you’re in danger."

Eira swallowed, her eyes filled with water she couldn’t hide.

She reached up, touching his hand as it rested against her cheek, holding it there.

"Thank you, Callian," she whispered again, feeling everything she’d carried—fear, worry, doubt—ease, even if just for this moment.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her close, and she rested her head against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her cheek.

The world outside the bathroom seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

After a few moments, Callian leaned back. "I think it’s my turn now," he teased.

Eira smiled, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks, and nodded. "Alright, but you have to let me take care of you this time."

She picked up the sponge and lathered it with soap, then began to wash his shoulders with gentle, circular moves; her touch was light and caring.

Callian watched her and let her take her time.

The simple act of washing each other became something much deeper to both of them.

Eira wasn’t feeling ashamed by standing next to him, all naked and vulnerable.

This was the first time she allowed a man to be intimate with her.

It was her first time being able to trust a man, her husband...

When they finally stepped out of the shower, Callian wrapped her in a towel.

She looked up at him.

Eira had that love in her eyes that she couldn’t put into words.

He met them, as if reading her thoughts, and brushed a gentle kiss against her forehead.

"We’re in this together, Eira," he said softly. "Always."

Callian and Eira stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in towels and holding onto each other.

But as they turned toward the door, they both froze.

Standing there was Callian’s mother.

She had a pale face; her hands trembled as she took in the sight of her son alive and well.

"Callian," she whispered in a breaking voice.

Leina collapsed to her knees, clutching her chest as if her heart had finally found relief. "Thank God... you’re alive."

Callian’s face softened as he looked at her.

"Mother... I’m okay. Get up."

But as her eyes shifted to Eira in his arms, her relief turned to fury.

She scrambled to her feet.

"How dare you?" she hissed at Eira in a shaking tone of anger.

"How dare you stand there, letting him hold you like that after everything he’s been through because of you?"

Eira’s eyes widened, and she took a step back. "I—I didn’t mean... I didn’t want him to—"

"You didn’t want him to?" Callian’s mother scoffed in a cold voice. "Yet here you are, clinging to him while he’s barely recovered. You don’t care at all about what he’s been through, do you?"

"Mother, stop," Callian interrupted, stepping protectively in front of Eira. "This isn’t her fault. I chose to be here with her."

She glared at him. "She’s the reason you got hurt. And now you’re risking yourself again, for her?"

Callian’s jaw tightened. "She’s not to blame. Please... just understand."

His mother’s eyes filled with tears. "I just can’t lose you, Callian."

"But you will if you won’t learn how to respect my wife."