Chapter 15
"Evelyn?"
Matthew gripped her hand and called her name.
Her hair was damp with cold sweat, her breathing shallow and quick.
Matthew's chest tightened. He slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her, his voice unconsciously softening. "Hang in there. Ambulance is on the way. Don't be scared."
Evelyn didn't speak again, just leaned back in her seat, silently praying.
'Baby, please be okay.'
Matthew kept an eye on her while rapidly firing off texts, his expression dark enough to drip ink.
At the hospital, Matthew left the exam room to take a call.
After a series of tests, the doctor smiled and said everything was fine.
Evelyn's heart finally settled, and she quietly asked the doctor to keep her pregnancy confidential.
When Matthew saw Evelyn emerge, he hung up and instinctively asked, "How are you?"
"Doctor said I'm fine." Evelyn shook her head, exhaustion written all over her face.
---
The drive back was quiet.
Matthew glanced at her several times.
She kept staring out the window, her profile calm—no panic from their near-miss, no complaints or lingering fear.
This composure and courage surprised him somewhat.
Back at the hotel, Matthew followed her into the room with no intention of leaving.
Evelyn was tired and didn't have the energy to argue.
"I need to rest," she said flatly.
"So rest." Matthew settled onto the sofa and pulled out his laptop. "I've got some work to handle."
"It's not safe for you to be alone in the hotel. I'll stay."
Evelyn glanced at him but said nothing more.
She slowly made her way to the bed, lay down, and turned her back to him.
Exhaustion crashed over her. Evelyn's consciousness quickly blurred, but she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
After some time, she felt the mattress dip slightly beside her.
Matthew's broad chest pressed against her back, his arm gently drawing her close.
Her body tensed for a moment.
"Sleep." Matthew's voice was soft, soothing. "I won't touch you."
His embrace was unexpectedly warm.
The tension in Evelyn's nerves gradually loosened in that warmth.
Her eyelids grew heavy and finally closed as sleep took her.
But her sleep wasn't peaceful—her dreams were chaotic.
First her father's hollow eyes before he jumped, then her mother's blank face in the care facility, then her gravely ill grandmother's lips moving as she tried to speak, but Evelyn couldn't make out the words.
"Mom... Dad... Granny..." She murmured unconsciously, cold sweat beading on her forehead, her brow furrowed tight.
Matthew looked down at her, seeing her face covered in sweat, mumbling incoherently about her family, her hands trembling slightly.
She'd never shown him this side of herself before.
Something inside him twisted gently.
"Evelyn," he called softly, his palm rubbing her back lightly. "It's okay. You're just dreaming."
Evelyn couldn't hear him, still trapped in her nightmare, moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes.
Matthew's movements stilled.
He reached up, using his thumb to gently wipe the corner of her eye. The gesture was clumsy but tender and patient.
"Don't be afraid." His voice grew even softer. "I'm here."
Evelyn seemed to hear him. Her whimpering quieted, her furrowed brow relaxed slightly, and she fell back into deeper sleep.
Matthew didn't sleep again.
He watched her by the dim nightlight. Her face still showed traces of tears, making her look much smaller and more fragile than usual.
She'd clearly been terrified today—her face had gone white.
But afterward, she'd put on this calm, strong front. Only in dreams did she drop that mask.
Was she just used to handling everything alone, or... did she think showing vulnerability around him was pointless?
That thought made his chest feel tight, stirring an unconscious tenderness toward Evelyn.
---
When morning came, Matthew quietly got up and walked to the window to make several calls.
When he returned, Evelyn was still sleeping, her complexion better than last night.
He didn't wake her, just sat on the nearby sofa handling emails.
Around nine, Evelyn woke up.
She opened her eyes to see Matthew sitting not far away and felt momentarily disoriented.
"You're up?" Matthew closed his laptop. "I ordered breakfast. Come eat something."
Evelyn sat up as Matthew pushed the breakfast toward her. "Eat up. After you're done, I'll go with you to see Johnson."
Evelyn looked up. How did he know she was planning to see Johnson?
"This isn't simple." Matthew's tone was calm. "The car was tampered with—wasn't an accident."
"Johnson has someone backing him. Going alone is too dangerous."
Evelyn fell silent. She knew he was right.
"I had my assistant handle some things," Matthew continued. "Today I'll help wrap this up."
Evelyn's heart stirred. She was about to speak when Matthew's phone rang.
Emma's anxious voice came through: "Matthew, where are you?"
"Marigold had an allergic reaction this morning and was hospitalized. She's still not feeling well—you need to come back right now!"
Matthew's brow furrowed. "Is it serious?"
"Yes, it's serious! You're about to get engaged—what does it look like if you're not here?" Emma's tone sharpened. "Come back immediately. Your father's asking about you too."
Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at Evelyn.
Evelyn kept her head down, eating her porridge as if she hadn't heard.
"I need to go back to the city." Matthew chose his words carefully. "Come with me. I'll have someone else handle the project."
Evelyn set down her spoon and shook her head firmly.
"I'm not leaving." Her tone was calm. "The project is my responsibility. I won't leave until it's resolved."
"Evelyn," Matthew's voice deepened, "last night wasn't a joke. It's not safe for you here."
"I'll be careful." Evelyn met his gaze. "Mr. Perkins, go handle your own business."
Her eyes were distant, clearly wanting nothing more to do with him.
That familiar irritation surged in Matthew's chest. He stared at her for several seconds, then suddenly pulled out his phone and made a call.
It was answered quickly.
"Kev, you're in S City, right? Need a favor."
Half an hour later, a young man in a casual jacket knocked on the door.
"Matt, this is rare—you actually reaching out first." Kevin Graves walked in with a grin, his gaze landing on Evelyn as he raised an eyebrow. "Evelyn, long time no see. You're even prettier."
Evelyn's expression soured as she ignored his greeting.
Matthew turned to Evelyn. "You know Kev. He's familiar with S City, has connections both in the underworld and with the authorities."
"He'll go with you to see Johnson today."
Kevin whistled. "Sure thing. I always enjoy playing hero, you know."
Matthew ignored the quip and pulled him aside, speaking in low tones.
After giving instructions, Matthew walked back to Evelyn. "Don't be stubborn, or I won't let you go."
Evelyn looked at Kevin, then at Matthew, and finally nodded. "Fine. I'll go with him."
Matthew gave her a long, heavy look before turning and striding out.
Kevin rubbed his nose and smiled at Evelyn. "Don't worry. Matt asked me to handle this—I've got you covered."
"Finish eating first, then fill me in on the situation."
Evelyn watched the door close again, the indescribable feeling in her heart slowly settling.