Leah stared at her husband blankly for a second before looking the other way and quickly wiping the tears away from her eyes.
"You returned early today." Her muffled voice followed.
Leo's eyes darkened when he noticed his wife's miserable appearance. Her hand was bleeding, her hair unkempt, her dress torn, and her eyes red from the crying.
Leo took a step closer to her, grabbing on to her shoulder to turn her towards his direction. Supporting her chin by his finger, he lifted her face— her watery hazel eyes locking with his.
The intense look in his eyes made Leah shudder. The air around the thickened with Leo's rising anger.
Leo noticed his wife's fear and closed his eyes, trying to reel in his temper. Although he had the strong urge to destroy things around him, he reminded himself how his wife was timid.
"What happened?" His voice was thick with emotions he attempted to suppress.
Leah pulled her lips into a thin line.
Leo then sighed and held her uninjured hand, bringing her into the house. After helping her sit down on the couch, he went over to bring the first aid kit.
As he carefully tended to her wound, Leo remained silent. Leah carefully observed his narrowed dark eyes, each of his controlled movements showing how he was trying to hold his anger back.
"I cut my hand while baking the cake," Leah softly said, "I am sorry for making trouble."
"Don't enter the kitchen anymore." Leo's voice held a stern order in it.
As Leah was about to open her mouth to convince him against it, he held her bandaged hands and gently added, "My wife has to use these hands for painting. They are precious. Don't abuse them."
"They say the way to man's heart is his stomach. How will I please you in the future if you don't let me cook?" Leah blinked her eyes.
Leo poked at her forehead with his index finger. "What ideas are you cooking in that head of yours? Nothing pleases me more than you being happy and healthy."
Leah's widened eyes stared at him in surprise for a second before smiling widely.
"You're so nice, Husband!"
"And you're dirty now. I will run the bath for you. Did you go outside today? How did you get dirty like this?" Leo inquired.
Leah shifted her guilty eyes.
However, Leo's intimidating gaze remained on her.
A sigh left Leah's mouth, and she explained, "Arianna asked me to go back today. On my way back, I wasn't watching carefully. There was a puddle, and I fell. Do I stink?"
Storm brewed in Leo's eyes.
For Leah return to the Xu Household when she was afraid of that family meant they had to threaten her. After returning, she had her injury bleeding while crying miserably.
It only meant that her visit couldn't have been pleasant.
"What did they want?"
"Just wanted to check up on me. Nothing much," Leah said, "I think I stink a lot. Can I go and take a bath?"
Leo knew when his wife lied or tried to hide matters she couldn't meet his eyes. Although he felt discomfort that his wife didn't trust him enough yet, Leo knew it would take time and patience for her to open up.
"Come on."
A yelp left Leah's mouth when the man easily carried her in his arms. Startled, she wrapped her hands around his neck. The scent of musky cedar floated into her senses.
Her heart began to beat rapidly in her chest from their proximity.
Once they entered their bedroom, Leah shyly pushed Leo away. Her cheeks were dusted with a shade of pink before she rushed into the washroom.
The adoration in his eyes hardened when his wife was out of his sight. He reached out for his phone and dialled a number.
Richard's voice came from the other side of the phone. "What's the matter, Leo?"
"What about the matter I asked you to handle?" Leo questioned.
"Spotted the target. All I need to do is give an order to take action," Richard vocalized in excitement. "It has been a while since I have done such evil. This is thrilling!"
Leo coldly ordered, "Add one more thing. Break both of his legs."
Even though Leo was on the other side of the phone, Richard felt the chilliness and shuddered. He wondered how badly Leo had been offended.
"Consider it done."
Once the call was hung up, Leo leaned against the closet door. His eyes were gloomy while they stared at the bathroom door in deep contemplation.
Leah took a quick shower. When she stepped out, wearing her bathrobe, her eyes met with Leo's. The intensity in them made her take a step back cautiously.
The warm shower left a tint of red on Leah's face. A drop of water slide down from her cheek, sliding down her collar bone. Those pure and innocent hazel eyes of her blinked at him, holding slight fear in them.
It only ignited his desire to bully this silly yet tempting wife of his.
Leo closed his eyes, reeling in his emotions.
He couldn't frighten her.
"Come," Leo said. His voice was thick and low. "Let me dry your hair."