Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger-Chapter 9: More Returns?

Ding!

Soren paused halfway down the stairs, dishes still in hand.

’That sound...’

It was the same as yesterday.

The next second, his vision flickered, and glowing text materialized before his eyes.

[Investment detected.]

[Target: Ethea Valmere (Wife)]

Soren froze.

’Again?’

[Investment: Subject provided essential care to the severely incapacitated target. Prepared nutritious meal, assisted with hygiene, fed the target personally, and offered sincere emotional reassurance during the target’s period of extreme vulnerability and mental distress.]

[Analyzing target response...]

[Target consumed meal - nutrition improved.]

[Target accepted physical assistance - trust threshold marginally increased.]

[Target experienced reduced isolation - mental state stabilized slightly.]

[Your sincere declaration as her husband resonated with the target’s subconscious, planting the smallest seed of hope in the previously barren emotional landscape.]

[Evaluating investment significance...]

The messages paused.

Soren stood frozen, staring at the messages.

’There are... there are returns even for this?!’

[Evaluation complete.]

[Investment Grade: LOW-MODERATE]

[Investment Type: Daily Care + Emotional Support]

[Calculating returns...]

Dots pulsed in his vision as the system processed.

[Calculation complete.]

[Returns granted:]

A translucent window unfurled before him, formatted like a status screen.

[ 1. Cooking Mastery +1 ]

[ 2. Recipe Collection: Five Healing Meals (Rare Grade) ]

[Integration initiated...]

[Progress: 10%... 30%... 50%... 80%... 100%]

[Integration complete.]

The messages faded, and a new set of knowledge appeared in Soren’s mind.

Thankfully, the process was much gentler this time, causing only slight discomfort. However, information slotted into place like puzzle pieces finding their homes. His understanding of cooking expanded instantly. Techniques he’d fumbled through before suddenly made perfect sense, like how to angle a knife for clean cuts, or how to judge heat by smell and sound.

Then came the recipes of five amazing meals he didn’t know even existed.

’This... This is too amazing!’

He had never expected something as mundane as making breakfast to trigger the Investment Authority. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

’Then... does this mean...’

Soren stood there for a long moment, processing the implications.

If cooking for her earned returns...

If taking care of her daily needs earned returns...

Then every single interaction, every meal, every act of care... all of it would make him stronger...?

However, it was just a guess.

A theory based on two data points.

But if it was true...

Soren’s grip tightened on the dishes.

’If it’s true, then I just need to keep doing what I’m already planning to do. Take care of her. Help her recover. Be her husband.’

And if returns really kept coming, he’d grow stronger, have more resources to invest in her recovery, and be able to protect her better.

’It’s worth testing, at least.’

He’d keep track and see if the pattern held.

But even if it didn’t, even if returns only came from major investments or even if they didn’t come at all, he’d still do it anyway.

Because that’s what he’d promised.

Soren exhaled slowly and continued down the stairs.

After washing the dishes, he pulled out his phone and sat down at the table.

There were a few important matters to handle.

He wrote a number and dialed.

Ring... Ring...

"Kalmira Police Department, how may I direct your call?"

"Yes, I’d like to report a break-in and attempted assault," Soren said, keeping his voice steady. "Last night, just around midnight."

"Address?"

"Number 47, Ember Lane, Graywood Quarter."

"Was anyone injured?"

"Minor injuries. The intruder fled before serious harm was done."

"Understood. We’ll dispatch an officer to take your statement and learn the situation. Can you remain at the residence?"

"Yes."

"Good. The officer will arrive within an hour. Please preserve any evidence."

"Thank you."

Click.

Soren lowered the phone and exhaled again.

That was one thing handled.

He didn’t expect much to come from it, though. A break-in in this place wouldn’t be a high priority. They’d probably file a report, take notes, look around, and leave.

But it established a record and made things look normal. If he didn’t do it, that would raise suspicions. Heck, he might have to explain why he contacted so late later.

Thankfully, he already thought of a solution for that.

A solution that both the police would believe, and the person behind the scenes wouldn’t doubt.

’I’ll have to act convincingly when the time comes...’

Sighing inwardly, he pulled up his phone again and opened a search browser.

There was something else he needed to arrange.

Something he’d been putting off thinking about, but couldn’t ignore any longer.

[Search: Home care services - female caregiver - Graywood Quarter]

Several listings appeared on the screen. Soren scrolled through them, checking reviews and prices carefully.

’I need to hire a caretaker.’

Because Ethea needed help with... private matters.

Things he absolutely could not and should not handle himself.

She’d reacted so strongly just from him carrying her to the wheelchair. And that was purely functional contact.

Anything more personal?

No.

That crossed a line he wouldn’t approach.

Not just for her comfort, but for basic human dignity.

Besides, he was a man. And he had been living by himself for the past 7 years. He had no idea how to properly care for a woman’s... needs.

He was ignorant and, honestly, a bit embarrassed just thinking about it.

’We need a professional. A female one. And experienced with disabled people.’

After a while, he found a listing that looked promising and trustworthy.

[Sunshine Home Care Services]

Licensed caregivers - Mobility-impaired patient specialists

Female staff available

Flexible schedules

Contact: (555) 0247

’Good.’

Soren dialed without hesitation.

"Sunshine Home Care, this is Mira speaking."

"Hello, I’m looking to hire a caregiver for my wife. She’s... She’s paralyzed and needs assistance with daily activities."

"I see. We can definitely help with that. What level of care does she require?"

"Full assistance. Bathing, dressing, and bathroom needs. So probably everything."

"Understood. And how many hours per day would you need coverage?"

Soren paused, thinking.

"Maybe... four hours? Morning routine and evening routine. I can handle meals and general supervision during the day."

"That’s very doable. Our rate for that level of care is 150 Credits per hour, so 600 Credits daily. We can arrange for a consistent caregiver so your wife doesn’t have to adjust to multiple people."

Soren did the math quickly.

600 Credits per day... So about 18,000 per month.

"That works. When can someone start?"

"We can have a caregiver there as early as this afternoon for an initial consultation. Does 1 PM work?"

"Yes. Perfect."

"Wonderful. I’ll need your address and contact information..."