Chapter 49
Matthew looked at her steadily for a moment, then sighed. He let go of her hand and called Thomas over.
"Thomas, tonight's dinner—you're coming with Evelyn and me."
Thomas's confused expression cleared immediately when he caught Matthew's hint. He nodded eagerly.
In the underground parking garage, Thomas stood respectfully watching Evelyn and Matthew get in the car and drive away. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, thinking: Covering for Mr. Perkins really requires some quick thinking!
Back at the apartment, Evelyn changed her shoes and habitually headed toward the kitchen.
Matthew caught her arm. "Let me cook tonight."
Evelyn froze. "You?"
"Didn't I cook last time?" He rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen. "I promise to feed you well."
Evelyn leaned against the sofa, watching that busy figure in the distance. Light from behind outlined the contours of his shoulders and back—lean, upright, wearing that ridiculous apron, yet unexpectedly... attractive.
She swallowed. Easy on the eyes, can cook, and wealthy. These words suddenly popped into her mind.
She had to admit, Matthew was dangerously appealing. But she quickly shook her head. Too many women liked him—Marigold, Britney, and who knows how many others she didn't know about. She needed to stay clear-headed.
She shifted her gaze and focused on the TV.
In the kitchen, Matthew cooked while keeping an eye on the living room. Evelyn leaned casually against the sofa, her hair falling naturally, wearing cartoon pajamas. The TV's flickering light danced across her face, making her skin look even smoother.
A warmth he couldn't quite name rose in his chest. He'd never imagined this kind of life before—coming home from work to find her waiting in the living room while he cooked in the kitchen. Looking up to see her, turning around to hear the TV's sound.
Very ordinary, but unexpectedly pleasant.
Matthew quickly finished two dishes and a soup, set the table, and called Evelyn over.
Evelyn sat down and took a bite. The taste was genuinely good. She ate contentedly, her expression relaxing.
"It's delicious," she said sincerely.
The corners of Matthew's mouth lifted. "Then eat more."
Watching her eat made him happier than eating himself.
After dinner, he volunteered to clean up and wash the dishes. Evelyn sat on the sofa, listening to the sound of running water from the kitchen, suddenly feeling this scene was somewhat surreal.
"Let's take a walk downstairs," Matthew said when he finished the dishes. "It'll be good for your stomach."
Evelyn looked at him, eyes widening. Before, she'd always gone for walks alone. He'd never liked such things. This man had really changed lately.
Evelyn paused before speaking. "Then put on a hat and mask. Bundle up."
"I don't want to end up in entertainment gossip headlines."
Matthew nodded helplessly and obediently found a hat and mask. Fully equipped, they went downstairs.
The park below wasn't large, but well landscaped. At this hour there weren't many people, just occasional dog walkers passing by.
Evelyn walked slowly. Matthew stayed beside her, shortening his stride to match her pace.
They walked quietly like this, not speaking.
When they reached the lake, Evelyn suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" and sat down on a bench, clutching her calf.
A sharp pain shot through Evelyn's calf. She frowned and bent down to rub it.
Matthew reacted faster. He knelt down, examined her briefly with concern, then said, "Don't worry, it's just a cramp."
Then he gently lifted her leg onto his knee and began massaging her calf. His movements were gentle and careful.
Evelyn froze. She looked down at him—kneeling on the ground, head lowered, massaging earnestly. Lamplight fell on him, stretching his shadow long.
The sensation in her calf was incredibly real, tingling and ticklish like ants crawling up to her heart. Her throat tightened.
"Feeling better?" He looked up and asked.
She nodded, instinctively trying to stand.
But Matthew stopped her. Before she could react, he scooped her up in his arms.
"Don't move," he said. "In case you cramp again."
He carried her all the way back to the apartment like this.
Once home, he set her on the sofa. "Wait here."
He quickly brought out a basin of hot water and placed it by her feet. "Soak for a bit, it'll help."
Then he fetched a hot towel and placed it on her calf.
Evelyn watched him bustling back and forth, not knowing what to say.
"Matthew," she began, "I can do this myself."
He didn't look up, continuing the hot compress. "You took care of me for three years," he said, naturally massaging her leg. "I've only been doing this for a few days."
Evelyn fell silent, her heart feeling both sour and warm—an indescribable sensation.
After all this, Evelyn felt the cramping pain ease considerably. She stood up and tried walking around. Finding it didn't hurt much anymore, she nodded to Matthew.
"You should rest. I'm going to shower."
Matthew said nothing, just watched Evelyn head to the bathroom, her gait still looking somewhat unnatural. He was silent for a moment, then followed.
Evelyn was about to undress when she saw him approaching and couldn't help freezing.
"I can manage myself, don't come in," she said quickly, her ears turning red.
"Your leg clearly still has issues. I'm worried you'll fall."
"Don't worry," Matthew's low voice came, "I won't peek."
Evelyn quickly refused. "No need, I can—"
Before she finished, her calf cramped again. She staggered, nearly falling.
Matthew quickly caught her, steadying her. He bent down and swept her up in his arms, carrying her into the bathroom.
He gently set her on the edge of the bathtub before straightening up.
"I promise not to touch you," he said seriously. "I've seen you from head to toe already. This won't make a difference."
Evelyn looked at him suspiciously. After hesitating for a few seconds, she finally nodded. After all, she was pregnant now—she needed to be careful.
Matthew turned around and pulled the shower curtain closed. He sat by the tub, listening to the sounds inside, doing nothing else.
After a while, the curtain opened a crack. "I... my calf cramped again," Evelyn's aggrieved and helpless voice came.
Matthew pulled the curtain open and knelt to massage her calf. Steam rose around them as he kept his head down, looking at nothing else.
After her bath, he brought a towel and wrapped her up, helped dry her hair, then carried her to bed. He tucked her under the covers and massaged her calf for a while longer.
Evelyn watched him. Lamplight fell on his profile, softening his features. He kept his head down, pressing carefully, again and again.
Something inside her slowly softened.
"Matthew," she called quietly.
He looked up.
She didn't speak, just looked at him, her gaze carrying gratitude and an ineffable tenderness.
He pulled her into his arms. "Sleep now."
Evelyn leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. One beat, then another, steady and strong.
She closed her eyes. All those defenses, all that hesitation—in this moment, Evelyn suddenly didn't want to think about any of it.
She nestled closer into his embrace and quickly fell asleep.