Dolores furrowed her brow. Why did he grab her while he answered Helen’s call? Did he want her to witness their intimate conversation? A strange melancholy washed over her, and she struggled to free herself. However, the more she resisted, the tighter Matthew’s grip became. He spoke softly, his lips brushing against her ear, “Don’t move.”
Dolores squirmed once again, but Matthew pressed his lips closer to her ear and warned, “Behave yourself while I take this call, okay?”
Dolores forced herself to calm down and dared not move. Matthew smiled, satisfied with her compliance. His thumb delicately traced over her clothes and pinched her waist.
The call was answered, and an anxious voice came through the phone, “Mr. Nelson, Ms. White was in an accident and is currently receiving emergency treatment at the hospital.”
What? Helen had been in an accident?
Being in proximity, Dolores also overheard the conversation. She turned to look at Matthew, who appeared equally surprised. “When did this happen?” he asked.
“About an hour ago.”
Matthew released Dolores and stood up, grabbing his jacket. He took a few steps but then remembered Dolores was still there. He turned to face her and said, “I need to go there.”
Dolores watched him intently. “Go ahead,” she replied.
That was his girlfriend, someone he cared about. She was in danger, and he should be with her.
He pursed his lips, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent. He put on his jacket and continued his call as he walked out.
“Book a flight to Country A, the next available one,” he instructed over the phone.
Dolores watched his back disappearing through the door and let out a bitter scoff. This was their original arrangement-she was herself, and they were them.
She was the outsider, intruding upon their obvious love for each other.
“Why did Young Master Nelson leave in such a hurry?” Coral asked as she entered the room.
It was unusual for him to return early, and why didn’t he spend some time nurturing their relationship? Was he always this busy? Coral couldn’t understand, and it frustrated her. Didn’t he have enough money? Didn’t he recognize the significance of their marriage?
Dolores pursed her lips and smiled. “Ms. White had an accident, and he’s going to check on her.”
Coral’s expression darkened. They had just enjoyed a few days of peace. What was that woman up to now?
“She should seek medical help if she’s been in an accident. Young Master Nelson isn’t a doctor. Can he treat her?” Coral couldn’t hide her displeasure with the situation.
Dolores approached Coral and gently brushed a leaf off her shoulder. She calmly observed the workers trimming the hedges nearby. “Coral, haven’t you noticed that I’m the odd one out? They are truly in love.”
What? Young Master Nelson was in love with his mistress?
Coral felt a twinge of annoyance toward Dolores for not fighting for what was rightfully hers. Why did Dolores claim that her husband was in love with another woman? Was something wrong with Dolores?
“You were chosen by Mrs. Nelson to be Young Master’s wife. You were selected by his parents. Who is Helen?” Coral glared sternly at Dolores. “You let him go just like that? Why can’t you stand up for yourself?”
Dolores concealed her bitter laughter and reached out to the dear old lady. She knew that Coral was speaking out of concern for her and wanted things to go well between her and Matthew. But Dolores wasn’t sure what was truly happening between Matthew and herself.
“Coral, you’ve been so kind to me. What if I can’t bear to leave?”
Coral was taken aback, looking at Dolores with surprise. “Where are you going?”
According to tradition, when a woman married a man, she became a part of his family regardless of the circumstances. Since Dolores was married to Matthew, she belonged to the Nelson family. Where did she have in mind to go?
In Coral’s eyes, Mrs. Nelson had chosen Dolores to be her daughter-in-law, and she was Matthew’s lawful wife. She would not accept any of Matthew’s other women.
Dolores held onto Coral and said, “I want to go for a walk outside.”
“Alright, I’ll accompany you,” Coral replied. She was familiar with the surroundings, and they could have a good chat during their stroll.
After dinner, Dolores went straight back to her room. She tossed and turned in bed, only managing to fall asleep when exhaustion finally took over.
Country A.
Bryan Eastwood, a colleague who had come with Helen to Country A, was waiting for Matthew at the airport exit. As soon as he spotted Matthew, he rushed over to him.
“Mr. Nelson.”
“How is she now?” Matthew asked as they walked.
“Her condition has stabilized, and she’s out of danger. She’s currently in the patient room, but…” Bryan paused, unsure of how to continue.
Matthew’s voice turned cold. “Spit it out.”
Bryan glanced at Matthew, then lowered his gaze. “Ms. White had a miscarriage…”
Matthew stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. “What did you say?”
His imposing presence was overwhelming, making it hard for anyone to breathe normally.
Bryan swallowed hard. “Ms. White had a miscarriage due to the accident. The doctor said she was almost three months pregnant.”
It felt as if Matthew had been struck by lightning. He clenched his fists in anger, though he couldn’t quite comprehend why he was so furious. He walked rapidly, forcing Bryan to hurriedly keep up with him.
Once they were in the car, Bryan drove in silence, not even daring to breathe too loudly for fear of angering the man sitting behind him. They reached the hospital in no time.
Bryan stopped the car and quickly moved around to open the door, but Matthew beat him to it. Bryan stepped aside, and as Matthew got out of the car, he glanced at his wristwatch. It was daytime there, while back home it was night.
Lowering his hand, he looked at Bryan and said, “Lead the way.”
Bryan led Matthew to Helen’s room. “Ms. White is inside.”
Matthew paused outside the door for a few seconds, then pushed it open and entered.
The room had a faint smell of disinfectant, and Helen appeared weak as she lay in bed. When she saw Matthew, she tried to sit up. “Matthew, why… why are you here?”
Matthew hurried over to support her. “Don’t move, you’re injured.”
Helen leaned into his embrace. “How did you find out I was hurt?”
Bryan scratched his head at the door, and Helen understood. She pointed at Bryan and said, “You told Matthew?”
“When the doctor said your life was in danger, I took the initiative to inform Mr. Nelson…”
“Mind your own business!” Helen angrily threw a pillow at Bryan.
“Bryan, leave us,” Matthew said, hugging the agitated Helen and gently stroking her back. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Matthew was deeply conflicted.
Helen lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. “How could I tell you? I discovered I was already two months pregnant, and you were already married to Ms. Flores at that time. I thought about surprising you after you ended things with Ms. Flores, but then…”
Helen sobbed bitterly, clinging tightly to Matthew. “Matthew, we lost our child.”
She cried uncontrollably. “Matthew, I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect our child…”
Matthew furrowed his brow, torn by conflicting emotions.
The realization that he had a child hit him hard. Every man longed to be a father. This woman carried his child, yet he had sent her away. If he hadn’t sent her away, she wouldn’t have been in that accident, and their child wouldn’t have been lost.
He closed his eyes and said, “It’s not your fault.”
It was his own mistake. He had let his desires cloud his judgment, seeking a closer relationship with Dolores…