Chapter 174 Just Be Happy
Matilda's voice turned fierce. "Wentworth, I won't let you talk like that. We're married. Other couples make vows—for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. We didn't have a wedding ceremony, we never said those words out loud, but we're married now. Whatever consequences come, we face them together."
Wentworth stared at her, his hand still cupping her face.
He'd never considered these questions before. In the military, everyone called him a war god. The worst injury he'd ever sustained was that gunshot to his hip. He'd never thought about his own mortality. But now the question haunted him—if he died, what would happen to her?
Seeing his doubt persist, Matilda pressed on. "Wentworth, we're both alive right now. Both here, both breathing. Let's not waste time thinking about death. What we need to do is focus on the present, treasure what we have now. At least today, you're alive and I'm fine. Can't we just... be okay with that?"
Something shifted in Wentworth's chest. She was right. They were both fine right now. They should take each day as it came, make the most of their time together. Even if someday he was gone, his love would stay with her. And if life ever got hard for her, she could remember that once, someone had been willing to die for her. That memory could give her strength whenever she needed it.
That was enough.
They were leaning into each other, lost in their private moment, when Amelia swept in with company—Juliana and a middle-aged couple who must be her parents. They looked rather stern.
---
Three hours earlier, Juliana's parents had arrived at the hotel.
Though they'd been apart for some time, Juliana's mother knew her daughter better than anyone. One look at Juliana's face told her something was wrong.
This wasn't her daughter. Juliana had always been bright and cheerful, warm as sunshine. Wherever she went, she brought light with her. Now the sun had gone out, replaced by storm clouds.
"Juliana, sweetheart, what's wrong? You look exhausted," her mother Judy asked.
Even her father Vincent noticed. "Are you feeling sick?"
Juliana naturally deflected, so Amelia stepped in to host Juliana's parents.
"Juliana's fine," Amelia said apologetically. "It's my fault—I haven't been taking proper care of her lately."
Judy tilted her head. "Last time I called, Juliana said she was calling you 'Mom' now? And working for your company?"
"That's right."
"But didn't you always say you wanted Juliana to be your daughter-in-law?"
Amelia sighed heavily. "My son doesn't have that kind of luck, I'm afraid."
She proceeded to explain everything that had happened over the past weeks.
After hearing the story, Vincent didn't see the problem. "I think Juliana did the right thing. Helping someone recover is admirable. It should make her happy."
But Judy picked up on the subtext immediately. She ignored her husband, focusing on Juliana. "You fell in love with him while you were caring for him, didn't you?"
Vincent looked shocked. Their daughter had impossibly high standards—most men didn't even register on her radar. What kind of man could capture her heart?
Amelia shook her head regretfully. "Unfortunately, some common girl got there first and stole my son's heart. Now he only has eyes for her."
Vincent frowned. "So this man already has a wife. Juliana, there's no reason to grieve over this. There's nothing wrong with falling for someone, but learning to let go is important too."
Judy had already pieced most of it together. She elbowed her husband. "What do you know?"
Juliana finally spoke. "Mom, Dad, you don't need to worry about me."
Vincent remained curious. "Well, I'd like to meet the man who captured our daughter's heart. I'm interested to see what he looks like."
So after a brief rest at the hotel, they headed over to the rehabilitation center.
---
"This is your son?" Juliana's father studied Wentworth, struck by his imposing height and build.
He understood a little better now why his daughter had fallen for this man. She had such exacting standards—most men never stood a chance. Only someone with this kind of commanding presence, this righteous bearing and natural authority, could possibly win her over.
Vincent just felt it was a shame the man was already married.
Judy's assessment of Matilda was less generous. Just as Amelia had said—a common girl, and it showed. She had that small, pinched quality about her.
Truly confident, sophisticated women required significant investment to cultivate. This girl might be pretty, but without money behind her polish, she was only suitable for staying home. She'd never hold her own in important social settings.
Looking at it objectively, Juliana was clearly the better match for Wentworth.
The moment Amelia saw Matilda, her irritation flared. "We have guests and you don't even think to offer them anything? They came to see Wentworth."
Matilda went to make coffee and gestured for everyone to sit in the living area. Each patient suite at the rehabilitation center included a sitting room with a sofa and disposable cups.
Charles had brought some premium tea a few days ago, but Matilda didn't drink tea, Zoey couldn't have any, and Matilda had no idea how to properly brew it anyway.
Amelia seized on this immediately. "What about that fine tea?"
Seeing his mother's attitude toward Matilda, Wentworth spoke up. "Mom, Matty has been taking care of me around the clock these past days. She hasn't had time to learn tea preparation."
Amelia's expression soured further. "She's only been here a few days and you're acting like she's some kind of martyr. Juliana and I were the ones caring for you non-stop before she arrived. You were so much worse then—the difficulty was incomparable. We had to feed you every single spoonful, hold the cup to your lips for every sip."
"Have you forgotten how you couldn't even keep solid food down at first? You were on liquids for days. Juliana prepared every single meal herself!"