She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Elliott watched as Celia stood up.

45

55 Vouchers

In that instant, his world seemed to shrink until only the khaki-clad figure of Celia, walking toward the platform, remained in sharp focus on his retina.

She didn’t hurry. Her steps were steady, carrying a calmness that bordered on caution.

Elliott felt his breathing grow strangely difficult. The heart in his chest, so used to precise calculation and cool control, now pounded against his ribs with a strange, uncontrollable force.

Each beat was so heavy it made his ears ring.

She stepped onto the platform.

Eddie’s deeply lined face broke into a grin of pure childlike joy as, with trembling hands, he gently placed a massive wreath woven from lilies, acacia, and mysterious herbs on her head.

The vivid blossoms and lush greenery framed her face, which, though untouched by makeup, seemed to shine with a natural radiance.

To Elliott, the whole scene felt almost unreal, strange, and dreamlike. Yet it left him awestruck, as if he were witnessing something sacred and otherworldly.

Then, she took the rustic wooden mic.

She started off in Maraese, saying two words, her voice steady and clear.

It wasn’t loud, but it carried a calmness and clarity, a power that could soothe any unrest.

The interpreter beside Elliott translated in a low voice, almost out of habit. “Thank you very much.”

Then, she switched to Averonian. Her eyes didn’t linger on anyone. She simply took in the land and the people. “I’m a doctor,” she said.

After that, everyone fell into an even deeper silence. Only the wind and the distant cries of wild animals could be heard.

Elliott’s heart clenched at her words, then started pounding even harder.

He watched as she drew a breath and spoke again. This time, she switched back to Maraese, her tone measured but carrying a steady, resolute cadence, almost like a declaration.

The interpreter leaned in and whispered, “She says, ‘Life is the most precious gift across these plains. Protecting it is both my duty and my privilege.”

Elliott nodded, showing he was listening. But he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the platform.

He watched her lips move, the subtle spark in her steady gaze whenever she spoke about life and

19:47 Mon, May 11 d

Chapter 75

responsibility, and the slight tension in her jaw when she stressed a word.

56 vouchers

The interpreter continued. “Three years ago, I came here with medicine and knowledge, but what I gained was your courage, your resilience, and your unyielding faith in life.

“You taught me that medicine is more than technique. It’s a bridge of trust that connects people, crossing boundaries of color and language.”

Elliott listened to the translation, but his eyes were locked on her, as if he were magnetized. Suddenly, he was starting to recognize a few words.

No, it wasn’t that he understood them, but her low, gentle, yet perfectly articulated Maraese carried through the speakers with a rhythm he’d never paid attention to before.

He’d always found this unfamiliar language, with its trills and guttural sounds, a bit harsh and chaotic.

But now, coming from her, it sounded like an ancient, solemn chant, each syllable resonating deep within his

tense nerves.

“So, really, don’t thank me,” the interpreter said, his voice thick with emotion.

“The ones who should be remembered and thanked are the mothers who cling to their children even in desperate times.

“The ones who should be remembered and thanked are the elders who keep handing out food despite their illness, and the everyday folks who grab their tools to rebuild the moment the fighting lets up.

“It’s you. You are the ones who saved the future of this land.”

Her words, filtered through the interpreter, rang out in Elliott’s mind. But soon, the interpreter’s voice faded into the background.

It wasn’t that he’d stopped talking. It was that Elliott’s attention was completely drawn to Celia, speaking directly in Maraese.

Her voice, her presence, and the undeniable sincerity and humility in her eyes created a force that went beyond words, hitting him straight in the heart.

He saw many locals moved to tears once again, and Eddie, the imposing chief, thumped his chest with his fist in excitement as he spoke to her.

Celia leaned in, listened closely, then nodded and answered him in Maraese.

Her reply seemed to make Eddie even more excited, and the crowd broke out in even louder, more heartfelt cheers.

Elliott couldn’t hear the translation anymore. It was like someone had hit the mute button on his world, blocking out all the noise that didn’t matter.

The admiring whispers from the Sharyahque executive beside him, the click of the reporters’ cameras in the back, even the interpreter’s steady voice right next to him faded into the background, distant and indistinct.

19:47 Mon, May 11 ….

Chapter 75

The only thing that stayed sharp was Celia’s voice, speaking Maraese from the platform.

44

1465 vouchers

It wasn’t loud, but it felt almost magical, piercing through every distraction and sinking straight into his ears, straight into his heart.

For the first time, he realized that when spoken by the right person, this language could be so captivating.

It carried a weight and a power that struck deep, as the smoothest vintage or pure spring water poured from ancient silverware.

“Mr. Perry? Mr. Perry?” Lucas’s voice came from right beside him, low and edged with a barely hidden urgency. He’d already reached out and tapped Elliott’s arm.

Elliott didn’t even flinch. He was leaning forward, eyes glued to the stage, not blinking once. His lips were pressed tight, jaw clenched so hard it looked almost painful.

This was not the usual Elliott, the man who always stayed calm and aloof, no matter the situation.

Right now, he looked more like a pilgrim, completely swept away by something vast and awe-inspiring, as if he’d witnessed a revelation.

Lucas felt his heart sink. He’d worked for Elliott for a decade and had never seen his boss lose his composure like this.

Even in the most cutthroat business battles or at the edge of disaster, Elliott was always sharp-eyed and quick- thinking.

But now, as Lucas followed his boss’s gaze to the stage, where Dr. Rose was being honored with the tribe’s highest tribute, he understood. And that only made him more anxious.

Luckily, almost everyone in the crowd was utterly transfixed by Celia. No one noticed Elliott’s brief, almost glitched-out state, except for Lucas.

“Oh, my God. She’s incredible,” the executive murmured, his accent thick with awe. He was clearly moved.

“Mr. Perry, did you hear what she said? She didn’t say ‘I saved you. She said ‘You saved yourselves. That kind of heart…”

Elliott still didn’t respond. He didn’t even realize someone was talking to him.

Meanwhile, a few rows behind Elliott, a low, excited conversation broke out, the pride in their voices impossible to hide.

“Did you see that, Ronan? That’s Dr. Ross,” one voice exclaimed, practically bursting with excitement.

“I saw it. Man, this is incredible.

“I always heard the Rose Project was well-known in certain circles back home, but I never thought she’d have such a reputation here!” another voice replied, sounding like one of the officials.

Their conversation caught the attention of a Northern Brakovian diplomat sitting nearby, who leaned over

19:47 Mon, May 11 d

Chapter 75

and asked in Averonian, “Sorry to butt in, but is that Dr. Rose up there from your country?”

“Absolutely!” The excited voice switched to fluent Averonian, bursting with pride.

“Dr. Celia Ross is one of our top medical experts, the heart of the Rose Project.

“She’s made huge breakthroughs in international medicine, and honestly, we never expected her humanitarian work in Eastetille to go so deep.

45

55 vouchers

“She’s earned so much love here. She’s a legend back home, and honestly, she makes all of us proud!”

“That’s incredible!” The diplomat said, clearly impressed. “I had no idea your country had someone so famous in global medicine and humanitarian work. And she looks so young!”

The official from the delegation chuckled, with a hint of pride. “Dr. Ross’s skills and achievements go way beyond what her age suggests.

“We’ve got plenty of brilliant scientists like her back home, working quietly in all sorts of fields.

“They don’t get much attention outside our country.” His answer was both proud and a little sly, keeping things classy but hinting at more beneath the surface.

Their conversation floated clearly into Elliott’s ears, but it was as if he didn’t hear a thing.

He watched and listened. He watched Celia on stage, connecting with the tribal elders, accepting the simplest yet most sincere blessings.

He listened to her speak in Maraese that he couldn’t catch the meaning, but the emotion in her voice was unmistakable, as if he could understand the feeling at its core.

It looked like she was about to finish. She spoke a few final words, dipped her head in a respectful nod, and returned the mic to Eddie.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify