The day started without anything unusual. The weather was bright and calm, and the tabloids were filled with news from around the world.
Jessica couldn’t wake up early. She had spent most of the night working on her designs, so much that Davis got worried and had to force her to leave her desk.
Davis woke up earlier, taking a moment to watch the sleeping woman beside him. Afterward, he left the bed, prepared breakfast, and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.
Although they lived in a large compound with many maids and staff, they had arranged their life in such a way that it felt like they lived alone — just the two of them.
Making breakfast had become Davis’s personal duty. He had added it to his schedule because it gave him pride and joy. Meanwhile, the staff handled the other main meals.
With his movements much better now and less pain, he didn’t feel bothered anymore. With practiced ease, breakfast was ready in no time.
The delicious smell of freshly baked sausage rolls, oatmeal, tea, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes filled the air. The fragrance stirred Jessica awake.
"This is truly the best way to wake someone up," she muttered as she slowly opened her eyes.
Davis, sitting by the window, noticed her stirring and rolled his wheelchair over to her. It was a scene that made it seem like he was looking after a sleepy child.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his lips curling into a smile.
Jessica nodded sleepily. Davis glanced at her messy hair and puffy face — clear signs she had stayed up late — and sighed softly.
"What do I get, then?" he asked, grinning mischievously.
Jessica furrowed her brows, pretending to think hard. "I’ll answer after I hit the bathroom," she smirked, throwing off the covers and walking into the bathroom.
Davis’s gaze lingered for a moment before he pulled his eyes away, falling into deep thought.
Today had started off well. It wasn’t wrong to call it a brand-new day — a day he had long waited for, though he once thought it would never come. His heart raced, filled with a mix of excitement, nervousness, and hope. He was ready for whatever this day would bring.
Jessica came out of the bathroom shortly after, dressed in casual clothes. She had decided to work from home today. With only four months left until the fashion show, there was much to do.
As she did every year, she had already instructed Richard to keep her movements private. During this time of year, she preferred focusing entirely on her fashion company.
Seeing her, Davis asked lightly, "Not going out?"
Jessica shrugged and nodded. "Working from home, hitting the gym, restoring health, and meditating — isn’t that a perfect day?" she said with a smirk.
Davis smiled. It sounded like a full schedule with no breaks.
Jessica turned to face him, her expression serious. "Finally ready to do it?" she asked, her gaze steady.
Davis took a deep breath, meeting her eyes. He wasn’t fully confident, but her steady gaze warmed his heart. It felt like a silent encouragement, telling him not to be afraid — she had his back.
"There won’t be any helpers around. Don’t be ashamed if you fall, and don’t be afraid of getting hurt," she said, sounding like a general preparing him for battle.
Davis laughed out loud at the image her words created.
"Baby, why are you making it sound like a war? It’s just me trying to take my first steps. You seem more nervous than I am," he teased, amusement glinting in his eyes.
Jessica was caught off guard by his humor but admitted he was right. "Shouldn’t I be worried? What if you hurt yourself badly?" she replied, trying to hide her own tension.
"If I hurt myself badly, it’s no big deal. Aren’t you here to heal me?" he joked.
"Davis Allen! If you hurt yourself, you’ll be the one in pain, not me!" she puffed up angrily.
"Alright, alright," Davis said, smiling. "Don’t be angry, okay? Wrinkles don’t look good on your pretty face. Just a kiss will be enough to keep me from falling. Can I get one?"
"You wish! A kiss will only come if you succeed. Otherwise, don’t even think about it," she shot back. She couldn’t believe how shameless he had become. Sometimes she wondered if she had imagined him ever being cold and distant.
"Fine, a kiss as a reward — but I get to decide how long it lasts," Davis retorted mischievously. Before she could say anything else, he rolled his wheelchair back and began preparing for the big moment — his first step after over a year since the accident.
Carefully, he positioned himself, making sure he was away from anything breakable. He planted his right foot down, checking that it was steady, then placed his left foot beside it.
Jessica held her breath, silently cheering him on. No one else had witnessed his therapy sessions except his personal assistant, who had always been by his side.
With a deep breath, Davis pushed himself up from the wheelchair. Though his legs trembled a little at first, he stayed firm, counting seconds and minutes in his heart.
Then, he moved — one slow, careful step at a time.
Jessica’s heart soared with admiration and relief. She clenched her fists tightly to avoid screaming out loud. It felt like a dream come true. She had imagined, prayed, and hoped for this moment for so long.
Watching it happen right before her eyes filled her heart with nothing but gratitude for his perseverance and strength.
After about ten minutes of slow but steady steps around the room — even though his steps were a little shaky — she couldn’t hold back anymore. Jessica rushed to him and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
Her eyes stung with tears. Even though she had believed this day would come, experiencing it was far sweeter than she had imagined.
Davis felt the wetness against his shirt and sighed softly. "Baby, don’t cry. It hurts me to see you cry, okay?"
Jessica nodded hard. She really didn’t want to cry — but she was just so happy. She remembered all of Risa’s mocking words about her marrying a ’cripple.’
Now, all those jeers had been rewritten. And she knew this was only the beginning of many more victories to come.