Dolores found Matthew’s behavior hypocritical. Wasn’t he still involved with Helen? Besides, she and Sampson were just friends. Why was Matthew so bothered?
“I never meddled in your personal life, and please don’t interfere with my private-” Dolores began, but her words were abruptly silenced as her lips were forcefully pressed.
“Hmm!” Dolores reacted swiftly and pushed him away.
Simultaneously, Matthew realized his actions and took a step back himself.
Matthew stared at Dolores in disbelief. What had he just done? Helen had always pursued him, but he had no interest in reciprocating. Yet, when he saw Dolores talking, he lost control and kissed her. He had acted impulsively and didn’t understand why.
Having been intimate with only one person that night, Dolores felt ashamed and shocked by what had transpired.
“You! How dare you?” Dolores felt violated.
Indeed, she had sold her body once, but she wasn’t a woman any man could simply kiss or hug. How dare he!
Matthew turned his back on her. “You are my wife.”
So, he believed he had the right to be intimate with her. Dolores widened her eyes. His statement was absurd!
“We are not husband and wife. It’s merely a transaction!” Dolores’s voice trembled.
She feared close contact with men once again. That night had already been a nightmare. She vowed never to be intimate with anyone again after that incident.
Dolores was too furious to notice Matthew’s peculiar reaction. She failed to realize that he was feigning calmness in her presence. Had she been composed enough; she might have noticed the slight reddening of Matthew’s ears after the kiss.
“Even if it’s a transaction, you never said we couldn’t have intimacy like other married couples.” He turned around slowly and looked at Dolores, who was almost consumed by anger.
Matthew furrowed his brow, wondering why she was so enraged. His kiss wasn’t toxic. Why was she so angry after being kissed? Could it be that she didn’t want any other man to touch her because of Sampson?
He approached her slowly. “A man who can’t protect his woman doesn’t deserve your love. He isn’t worthy of it.”
Dolores didn’t comprehend his words. What did he mean? Was he referring to Sampson?
Just as Dolores was about to explain, Matthew regained his composure. He walked calmly to the desk and sat down, leaning back lazily with one hand resting casually on the table. His expression was serene, as if nothing had happened moments ago.
“I can give you the land in Repulse Bay, but…” He paused, deliberating. “It’s not for free.”
Dolores clenched her hands, attempting to control their uncontrollable trembling. She made a concerted effort to calm herself and push aside what had transpired. After a brief pause, she spoke calmly, “What do you want?”
Matthew lowered his gaze, his voice calm and subdued. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know once I figure it out.”
Kissing her had been the most impulsive act of his life. It had been unexpected, and he found himself unable to control his emotions.
Dolores pursed her lips. Reclaiming what Randolph owed her and her mother hadn’t been easy. If she could gain the upper hand to negotiate with Randolph, it would be advantageous.
But…
“I won’t force you into anything illegal, nor will I make you compromise your morals.” Matthew seemed to grasp her concerns and presented an irresistible offer.
After hesitating for a moment, Dolores responded, “Okay.”
She had nothing to her name, so what did she have to fear losing? If she could swiftly regain what rightfully belonged to her and Jessica, she could take her mother to a serene and beautiful place, where they could finally enjoy life.
“I’ll reiterate one more time: as long as we’re married, you can’t cheat on me!” Matthew’s anger reignited as he recalled Dolores and Sampson embracing.
“Me and-” Dolores began to speak, but Matthew cut her off. “You can leave now!”
He didn’t want to hear Dolores talk about her and Sampson. If she said anything more, he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
Dolores opened her mouth, but in the end, she turned and left without uttering another word.
As the study door closed, all the calmness vanished from Matthew’s face. He rubbed his forehead, realizing he had acted impulsively. Recalling their brief yet intense kiss, his finger brushed across his lips. Unknowingly, a smile formed on his face as he indulged in the memory. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help but savor the feeling of kissing her. Her lips were soft, reminiscent of Helen’s, yet different in their own way.
However, despite that night, his feelings towards Helen hadn’t been the same. Could it be because of his physical need that night? Something did not feel right but he couldn’t quite pinpoint it.
Dolores didn’t want to linger after being kicked out of the study. Jessica was still in the hospital, and she needed to take care of her.
As Dolores reached the door, Helen entered, surprising both women.
Helen always exuded elegance and beauty, adorned with immaculate makeup and well-fitted attire.
“Oh, are you leaving?” Helen asked with a smile.
“Yeah,” Dolores replied, trying to sidestep Helen.
She didn’t want to be near Helen. Although she appeared innocent on the outside, Dolores knew her true nature.
“Ms. Flores, you’re carrying someone else’s child. Matthew only married you because his mother asked him to. I am the one he loves. I hope you understand and leave him alone.”
Helen’s words were direct. Of course, Dolores understood their meaning. She knew Helen was the one Matthew loved. Why did Helen keep reminding her? Was she flaunting it?
Dolores smiled. “I know my place in his life. You don’t need to remind me constantly.”
Helen was momentarily speechless. She furrowed her brow, not expecting Dolores to display such maturity at such a young age.
At that moment, she noticed the study door opening and caught sight of a blurry figure. It was undoubtedly Matthew, and an idea sparked in Helen’s mind. She reached out to push Dolores, but Dolores, protective of her pregnant stomach, instinctively pushed back.
“Ah!” Helen, wearing high heels, lost her balance.
Matthew, who had just emerged from the study, witnessed the entire scene and swiftly moved to catch Helen before she fell.
Being tightly held in Matthew’s arms, Helen’s heart raced. She wrapped her arms around his neck, feigning fear.
“Matthew…” Helen didn’t say anything more, her expression conveying her apprehension.
When Dolores regained her senses, she looked up and met Matthew’s gaze.
“Why would you do this?”
Just as Dolores began to explain, Helen interjected, shaking her head. “I’m fine now. It’s not Ms. Flores’ fault.”
Dolores couldn’t fathom why Helen would descend to such tactics. Her marriage to Matthew was merely a contract. Why would Helen go through the trouble of framing her? What was Helen afraid of?
Dolores disregarded Matthew’s question and spoke calmly. “I haven’t done anything. Believe whatever you want, but I’ve said what I needed to.”
With that, Dolores turned and walked out of the villa. She refused to confess to something she hadn’t done, and she would protect her child at all costs. If it happened again, she would respond the same way.
“Stop!”