Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

Chapter 416: Love Each Other, Together Forever (1)_1

Ruby Bluen carried the bone broth porridge that the servant had helped her prepare to Marcel Horne’s ward. However, when she arrived, Marcel was eating breakfast porridge bought from the hospital cafeteria. Upon her arrival, Marcel merely glanced up at her before lowering his head to continue eating, treating her as if she were thin air.

"Marcel, I made some bone broth porridge for you. It’s more nutritious than what you’re eating now. How about a change?" Hurt by Marcel’s demeanor, Ruby felt a pang of sadness, not understanding why he had become so cold and distant towards her overnight. She didn’t show her feelings. As usual, she sat down by his bed and gently placed the porridge she had brought on the bedside table. Then she stood up again and started to tidy up the various items on the table.

There were many fruit baskets: some from the troops, some from the parents of the child he had saved, and even more from various people eager to curry favor with the Horne Family.

Though Marcel Horne was a soldier accustomed to a rough life, this couldn’t change the fact that he was still the second young master of the Horne Family. As such, the news that Marcel Horne had been injured and hospitalized while saving someone couldn’t be kept from those eager to flatter and curry favor with the Horne Family. Consequently, new fruit baskets arrived daily, piling up in the ward.

Ruby spent time each day dealing with these fruit baskets. They had so many they could have practically opened a fruit shop and definitely couldn’t eat them all. So, rather than letting them go to waste, Ruby continued distributing them to other wards, a practice Marcel approved of, as it avoided waste.

"As long as I’m not starving, it’s fine. I’ve eaten worse," Marcel replied coldly, clearly not interested in swapping his breakfast.

"Ruby, you’re here."

Sovia Morris walked in from outside. She had just been called away by a doctor for a private discussion about Marcel Horne’s condition. The doctor said that if the family was willing, Marcel could now be discharged from the hospital to continue his recovery at home. The rehabilitation therapy, however, would have to wait until his leg injury had improved more.

The doctor also told Sovia that Marcel seemed to be in a state of deep despair, which was detrimental to his recovery, and urged the family to counsel him more.

"Aunt Morris," Ruby quickly called out to her.

She picked up the neatly arranged fruit baskets, intending to distribute them again. It was early morning, yet the ward was once more filled with them. After so many days in the hospital, nearly all the doctors, nurses, and patients in surrounding wards had received fruit baskets from Ruby.

"Where do you think you’re taking my things? Using my things to curry favor with others? Shouldn’t you ask if I agree first?" Marcel suddenly slammed his bowl onto the bedside table. His actions were forceful and loud. His face, no longer tanned and weathered from his time in the military due to his hospital stay, had lightened somewhat, highlighting his handsome features. The Horne men were indeed all outstanding figures.

His eyes were wide with anger, glaring at Ruby as though she were stealing something from him.

Ruby was taken aback, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes. He was the one who agreed. He’d said they couldn’t finish so many fruits and it would be a waste not to eat them. After she’d discussed it with him, he had her give them to others. So why is he accusing me now? What on earth is wrong with him today? He’s acting so strangely towards me. From the moment I came in, he’s ignored me, as if I’ve committed some terrible offense. And now he’s harshly rebuking me.

"You wasteful person! Giving things away like that! Put it down and get out—I don’t want to see you! The sight of you is annoying!" Marcel’s next words hurt Ruby even more.

"Marcel!"

Sovia Morris immediately cried out softly and hurried forward to pinch Marcel, but he forcefully shook her hand away.

Ruby turned, quietly put the fruit basket back in its place. Seeing Marcel forcefully push away Sovia’s hand, she quickly pulled Sovia behind her for protection. Then she sat down by the bed. Hiding the pain in her heart behind her bright eyes, she gazed tenderly at Marcel and said softly, "Marcel, I understand how you’re feeling. But Aunt Morris has also been terribly worried and upset about you these past few days. Please don’t treat her like this, okay? If you have any grievances, direct them all at me."

Marcel turned his face away, refusing to look at her, clearly indicating he didn’t want to see her.

Ever since he learned his leg was crippled, he had been despondent, often lashing out at his family. However, he never showed this side to Ruby. All his anxieties and sorrow would be concealed whenever he saw her; in her presence, he still presented his former self.

Sovia Morris stood to the side, wiping her tears. She knew the reason. After returning to the hospital from the Bluen family home, she had told Marcel about her visit—that she had gone to ask Ruby to marry him. Upon hearing that she had begged Ruby to marry him, Marcel’s face had instantly darkened. He said that he was now a disabled man. Even if he desperately wanted to marry Ruby, he wouldn’t do it at this time. He didn’t want to drag her down, and he certainly didn’t want her pity.

No matter how Sovia explained, even relaying the touching words Ruby had said to Scarlett Taylor, he still refused to let Ruby marry him at this moment.

Seeing Marcel’s current attitude towards Ruby, Sovia’s heart ached and trembled. My son, who loves Ruby to the depths of his soul, is treating her this way. His own heart must be in even greater pain. But to make Ruby give up on him, to avoid burdening her, he’s willing to hurt her now, even though it means hurting himself just as much.

A gentle hand, holding a lightly scented tissue, delicately wiped the corner of his mouth. A soft voice sounded by his ear, "Why are you still acting like a child? Not even wiping your mouth after breakfast."

Marcel’s body stiffened, his eyes filled with pain.

The next moment, he forcefully knocked away Ruby’s hand as she wiped his mouth. He turned his head and roared at her, "Are you deaf? I told you to get out! And don’t ever come back! I don’t need your care, your sympathy, or your pity! Just get out!" Agitated from shouting, he violently shoved Ruby. She was sitting, and caught off guard by the sudden push, she tumbled backward onto the floor.

Marcel almost leaped up to help her, the anguish in his eyes deepening even further.