A week had passed since Matthew’s departure. Eventually, Dolores found peace and resumed her work as usual.
“I heard Mr. Nelson went to Country A to keep Ms. White company,” gossip spread during lunchtime.
“Well, if Mr. Nelson already considered her his girlfriend, it’s only natural for him to visit her. But…” The woman paused, gazing at herself in the pocket mirror, adjusting her hair with a satisfied grin. She truly believed she was a beauty.
Everyone had grown accustomed to her self-proclaimed beauty but was curious about her next words. “But what?”
She glared at them and continued, “If Mr. Nelson truly liked her, why send her all the way to Country A? We have plenty of people in the company. Couldn’t he have sent someone else?”
Some agreed with her point, while others disagreed.
“If that were the case, why would Mr. Nelson stay away from the company for a whole week just to take care of her? That’s never happened before,” argued another.
Both sides had valid points, but their perspectives differed. Some believed Matthew loved Helen, while others held a different opinion.
“Hey, Dolores, what do you think? Does Mr. Nelson love Ms. White?” A colleague turned to Dolores, who sat silently at her desk. “Why aren’t you joining the discussion?”
Internally, Dolores bitterly laughed. Wasn’t it ridiculous to debate whether her ‘husband’ loved another woman?
A colleague shook Dolores, urging her to speak up. “Say something, will you?”
Helplessly, Dolores voiced her thoughts, “I don’t know. I’ve only just joined the company, so I don’t fully understand their relationship. But I think he must like her. Otherwise, why would he acknowledge her as his girlfriend?”
Silence hung in the air for a few moments as her words resonated. If Matthew didn’t love Helen, why would he recognize her status?
“See? I know Mr. Nelson loves Ms. White.”
The gossip continued, but Dolores made an excuse to slip away from the group. After the break, as everyone dispersed, she returned to her seat and focused on her work.
Matthew didn’t return that day.
After enduring her colleagues’ gossip, Dolores longed for some alone time. Little did she expect Coral to start nagging as soon as she arrived home.
“Why hasn’t Young Master come back yet?”
Dolores felt a headache coming on and rubbed her temples. Coral must have noticed her discomfort and asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”
Shaking her head, Dolores replied, “No.”
“Then why…”
“Oh…” Dolores suddenly caught a whiff of something fishy and furrowed her brow, looking at Coral. “Did you buy fish?”
Coral nodded, pointing to the groceries on the table. “I just went to the supermarket. I’ll cook fish for your dinner…”
Before Coral could finish her sentence, Dolores covered her mouth and rushed to the bathroom, where she vomited.
Concerned, Coral hurried over and stood by the bathroom door, observing Dolores. “Are you… are you pregnant?”
Although Dolores and Matthew had slept in separate rooms, they shared a bed on their wedding night. Perhaps they had conceived on their first attempt?
Coral’s excitement grew. “Come on, let’s go to the hospital.” With a child, any mistresses would have to be discarded.
Shaking her head, Dolores responded, “There’s no need. I… I just have some gastric discomfort.”
“No, we must go,” Coral insisted, determined to trust the doctors.
“Coral,” Dolores struggled, but Coral held onto her hand tightly. “I’m doing this for your own good.”
“Put on your shoes.” Coral pulled Dolores along.
Fearing she might harm Coral and the baby in her abdomen, Dolores didn’t resist too forcefully.
Clunk!
As Dolores contemplated how to convince Coral, the door swung open, drawing their attention.
Matthew entered; his jacket draped over his arm. His collar was undone, revealing his collarbones. Stubble adorned his chin, and his eyes bore the signs of fatigue. Clearly, he hadn’t rested well while taking care of Helen. Dolores couldn’t help but think that he must be exhausted.
Upon seeing Matthew, Coral’s face lit up. “Young Master, Missus is probably pregnant.”
Matthew’s expression remained unchanged, but Dolores felt a pang of embarrassment. Their eyes met, and they understood the situation. Only Coral remained unaware of the truth, staring at Matthew. “Aren’t you happy that your wife is pregnant?”
Matthew furrowed his brow and calmly uttered, “Let’s get a divorce.”
It was inevitable. Dolores hadn’t expected it to come so suddenly. Their engagement had been forced upon them, and it was time to end it. Nothing bound her to this marriage except for a hollow feeling of emptiness.
She smiled, “Okay.”
Her quick agreement left Matthew momentarily stunned. He struggled to accept her willingness to divorce.
With composure, Dolores said, “Let’s do it tomorrow.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she turned to retreat to her room.
Coral felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. Did they really want to divorce? Was marriage just a game to them?
“Young Master, you… you want a divorce?” Coral thought she must have misheard. Why would he suddenly request a divorce, and why were they both so calm about it?
“I’m tired,” Matthew dismissed the topic, unwilling to engage further. He then made his way to his room.
Coral stood in shock, staring at Matthew’s retreating figure. “This was the marriage your mother arranged before she passed away.”
Matthew paused for a moment, then continued up the stairs without a word.
Coral persisted, “You don’t even care when Missus is pregnant?”
Bang! The bedroom door slammed shut, conveying Matthew’s discontent without uttering a single word.
The child inside Dolores was not his. Not his! He wouldn’t be so furious if it were his child. But his child was gone. Dead!
Coral was taken aback, as Matthew rarely vented his anger at home.
Dolores spent the night practically sleepless, sitting at the edge of the bed with her luggage packed. She didn’t have many belongings, just a few clothes and toiletries.
At daybreak, she changed into fresh clothes and stepped out of the room. Matthew was already awake, dressed in a well-tailored business suit that accentuated his tall, sturdy frame. He looked like a prince from a fairy tale, exuding nobility, handsomeness, and magnetic charm.
Dolores spoke first, “It’s still early, and the marriage registrar’s office isn’t open yet. I’ll go out first to run an errand.” Glancing at the time, she added, “I’ll be back by nine o’clock. Are you free then?”
She needed to find a place to stay. Matthew had initiated the divorce so suddenly that she had no time to prepare. It was her own fault for not being better prepared.
Matthew descended the stairs and replied, “Abbott will handle the divorce.” He proceeded to the dining room.
Dolores scoffed inwardly. How could she forget? It was Abbott who had accompanied her to register their marriage; Matthew hadn’t gone personally. So now, it made sense for Matthew not to be involved in the divorce proceedings.
Their marriage had been arranged by fate, fixed since they were young. Yet, this short-lived marriage had become a joke. Dolores took a deep breath. It was time to end it.
Matthew sat at the dining table, ready for his breakfast.
Dolores approached and took a seat across from him, asking, “How is Ms. White?”
He had gone to see her and had made his decision to divorce Dolores, so he must be prepared to marry Helen.
But didn’t he know that Helen was cunning?