Chapter 3

Uncle Jack and Aunt Lisa argued all night. I hid in my room, listening silently, and made my decision.

The next day, I told Uncle Jack that I was willing to marry into the Foster family in Emma's place.

"Emma is right. You and Aunt Lisa have been so good to me. It's time for me to repay your kindness," I said.

Uncle Jack's eyes turned red as he held my hand, wanting to say something. But in the end, he couldn't get the words out.

Because of Lucas's condition, the wedding was very simple. I thought his willingness to marry meant he was prepared to live with me. But I was wrong.

On our wedding night, as soon as I stepped into our room, his face darkened. "Get out!"

"This is my room too," I said.

"You're not allowed to sleep here."

I tried to reason with him, to explain the meaning of marriage. But he wouldn't listen. Instead, he tore up all the red 'double happiness' decorations in the room.

Helpless, I turned to leave. Mrs. Foster saw this and sighed, calling me to her study.

She told me that Lucas wasn't a bad person by nature, just socially withdrawn and unwilling to interact with others. Since I had married him, it was my responsibility to take care of him. She believed that if I tried hard enough, I could eventually open Lucas's heart and make him accept me.

I decided to give it a try.

Taking care of someone with autism is both mentally and physically exhausting. Every day, I personally prepared his meals, reminded him to take his medicine, and took him for medical check-ups. To understand him better, I bought all the books I could find about autism and studied them late into the night.

My efforts gradually paid off. Lucas slowly got used to my presence and no longer rejected me as he had at first. I was allowed to ride in the same car with him or sit at the same table for meals.

Knowing I liked fruit, he would personally prepare beautiful fruit platters for me. When I caught a cold due to my weak immune system, he would force me to drink ginger tea.

Time passed, and we both got used to this life. The only one unsatisfied was Mrs. Foster.

She talked to me every other day, always with the same purpose: urging me to have a child.

Forced into a corner, I had to tell her the truth. Lucas hadn't shown any interest in physical intimacy and wouldn't even allow me to sleep in the same bed.

Mrs. Foster was anxious and angry. She took Lucas for a medical examination. The doctor said there was nothing wrong with his physical functions; he just couldn't overcome his psychological barriers and accept such an intimate relationship.

"When it comes down to it, it's your problem," Mrs. Foster told me. "Can't you find a way to make him fall in love with you?"

I was at a loss. I didn't even know what love was myself, let alone Lucas.