Chapter 18
288 Vouchers
Chapter 18
Sure enough, when Mary woke up at the resort hotel early next morning, her entire body
ached.
Ralph was on the balcony making a call.
“Postpone all meetings today. Nothing’s more important than my wife!”
He hung up, turned and saw Mary awake, immediately walking over to plant a morning kiss. on her forehead.
“Did I wake you?”
Mary shook her head: “Work stuff?”
“Nothing urgent.”
Ralph pulled her into his embrace. “Promised you this corporate retreat. No interruptions. From now on, every promise I make to you-I’ll keep.”
Leaning against his chest, Mary listened to his steady heartbeat, cheeks gradually flushing pink.
During the return trip from the retreat, torrential rain suddenly poured from the sky.
The tour bus crawled along the Alpine Pass, windshield wipers struggling against the downpour.
Dozing against Ralph’s shoulder, Mary faintly heard colleagues murmuring.
Suddenly, the bus jolted violently!
“Ah!”
Amidst screeching brakes and screams, the vehicle skidded off-road,
Ralph reacted instantly, shielding Mary with his body against the impact.
Crash!
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The bus shattered the guardrail, tilting precariously over the cliff edge.
“Get out now! It’s going over!” the driver yelled.
Chaos erupted inside.
Ralph swiftly unbuckled Mary’s seatbelt, guiding her toward the exit.
Rain poured through shattered windows, drenching everyone.
As the last passenger stumbled out, the bus finally gave way, plunging into the ravine.
“Oh god… that was close!”
“Phones! Call for help!”
Panic spread as frantic people pulled out phones-no signal in the mountains.
Mary clutched Ralph’s hand tightly.
“Don’t panic.”
He squeezed her fingers reassuringly, pulling a custom satellite phone from his inner pocket. “Got this.”
After a brief call, rotor blades pierced the storm twenty minutes later.
Three helicopters descended through rain onto a nearby clearing.
“Mr. Walker!”
The lead bodyguard sprinted over. “Are you hurt?”
Ralph shook his head, addressing stunned colleagues: “Board orderly. Ladies and injured first.”
In the helicopter, Mary watched the receding mountain road, heart still racing.
“That phone…”
She whispered, “Must’ve cost a fortune?”
Ralph enveloped her cold hand in his. “Getting you one soon. Money’s well spent protecting
loved ones.”
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Mary’s eyes suddenly stung.
One month later, crystal chandeliers illuminated the Walker Group’s 30th anniversary gala.
Ralph, in tailored black suit, led Mary down the red carpet.
Camera flashes popped like fireworks as reporters clamored.
“Mr. Walker! Rumor says you’ve handed most operations to executives. Planning retirement?”
Ralph smiled gently at Mary beside him: “Not retirement, but reprioritizing life.”
A female reporter pushed forward and asked abruptly: “Mr. and Mrs. Walker, any plans for children? You’re so devoted yet childless-is the issue directly at whom?”
The reporter’s question stabbed like a sharp knife into the void where Mary’s uterus used to be.
Her fingers trembled slightly in Ralph’s palm.
Ralph immediately sensed her unease.
He tightened his grip and pulled Mary behind him, his eyes turning cold in an instant.
He seemed to hesitate, then decisively pulled his phone from his inner suit pocket, dialed a number, and put it on speaker.
“Ralph?”
His personal physician’s voice came through.
Ralph said calmly, “Michael, I’m facing the nation’s media. Tell everyone about my surgery nine years ago.
“1
The room erupted in shock, including Mary.
“Well…”
The old doctor hesitated. “Ralph, are you sure?”
“Just state the facts.”
“Nine years ago, Ralph underwent a vasectomy!”
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Ralph hung up and fixed the reporter with a piercing stare. “Now you know where the problem lies.”
Every journalist stood frozen.
The billionaire CEO had gotten sterilized in his prime!
Mary stared at him, tears welling up. She’d never known.
He didn’t have to answer-yet he’d announced it publicly!
All to shield her from blame…
During the event’s intermission, Mary finally broke down in the lounge.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ralph gently wiped her tears. “After your hysterectomy, I blamed myself. Sharing this pain was my only way to atone.”
“I froze sperm back then, hoping we’d have another child later. I should’ve discussed it with you. Forcing it into Karen was my worst mistake.”
He cupped her face. “Mary, true love isn’t about children. It’s two souls cherishing each other. You’re all I need.”
Mary’s eyes reddened instantly.
“Promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“Never drink more than three glasses again.”
“Last corporate retreat, your stomach hemorrhage terrified me.”
“Yes, Mary.”
He pulled her into a crushing embrace.
Thirty years later, an Alpine village.
Morning sun streamed through the cabin windows as Mary sat wrapped in a blanket, sipping
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hot cocoa by the fireplace.
Ralph sizzled eggs in the kitchen, butter and coffee scenting the air.
“Mary, try this.”
He presented perfect sunny-side-ups. “New recipe.”
Mary accepted the plate, smiling. “Ralph, your cooking’s improved.”
His lips curved. “So have I captured Mary’s heart?”
She gave a sweet smile.
Beyond the window, snow-capped peaks pierced cloud-wreathed skies.
Breakfast finished, they strolled hand-in-hand through the town.
Passing an antique shop, Mary was captivated by a vintage record player.
“Like it?”
Ralph asked.
Mary nodded: “Reminds me of our old one.”
Ten minutes later, the record player sat in their log cabin.
Ralph retrieved a vinyl record from his suitcase-the very one they’d often played in their rental apartment years ago.
As the melodious tune filled the air, Ralph extended his hand: “Mrs. Walker, may I have this dance?”
