Chapter 239 Fainting

Chapter 239 Fainting

The restaurant was just a ten-minute walk from the inn.

When Matilda and Gavin returned, one after the other, her face was lit up with genuine happiness.

"That pasta really was amazing. I've tried so many restaurants in Harmony City, and not a single one could compare to that place."

Gavin walked beside her, hands in his pockets, and let out a laugh. "Of course. That place is a local treasure. I don't tell just anyone about it."

Matilda was genuinely amused, glancing at him sideways. "Well then, Mr. Hayes, I appreciate you taking me there."

"Absolutely. Took me three whole days to track that place down." Gavin held up three fingers with mock seriousness, then broke into a bright grin. "You're lucky—I'm in a good mood lately, so I decided to share it with you."

As they walked into the inn's courtyard, Matilda felt unusually relaxed, her mood lighter than it had been in ages. "I can't believe I lived in Harmony City all those years and never met you."

"Well, that's pretty normal, isn't it? Most people don't go out of their way to meet lawyers." Gavin leaned against a pillar by the gate, thinking for a moment. "Tell you what—when we get back to Harmony City, let's grab another meal. I know several restaurants there with amazing food that most people can't even find."

"Sure." Matilda nodded without hesitation.

Gavin smiled, and the two of them headed upstairs, one after the other.

She didn't notice that the window of the first-floor room on the right was half open.

Inside, the curtains swayed gently in the breeze.

Thomas stood behind the window.

He'd heard every word of their conversation in the courtyard.

Matilda had smiled at that man like she was actually happy.

How long had it been since she'd smiled at him like that?

Thomas clenched his fist, turned away from the window, and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. He scrolled to Brent's number and dialed.

"I need you to look into someone. His name is Gavin. He's a lawyer—used to practice in Harmony City."

"Of course, Mr. Stuart. Give me a moment."

Thomas hung up and sat down on the edge of the bed.

The room felt stifling. He tugged at his collar, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his forehead.

Less than ten minutes later, Brent called back.

"Mr. Stuart, I found him. There is a lawyer named Gavin in Harmony City. He used to work at Integrity Legal Group, but he quit two years ago. I haven't been able to track where he went after that."

"He quit?"

"Yes. After he left, there's no record of him practicing anywhere. I just called the firm, and even the partners don't know where he went."

Thomas frowned.

Quit two years ago—so what was he doing now?

He couldn't put his finger on it, but something felt off. His instincts told him Gavin was trouble.

Before he could think it through, a sharp, twisting pain seized his abdomen.

Thomas doubled over, his hand gripping whatever was in front of him.

The pain in his stomach came fast and fierce, like someone was wringing it out.

Only then did he remember—he'd spent all of last night in Harmony City drinking, caught an early flight this morning, and hadn't eaten a thing since.

His vision started going dark in waves. The color drained from his face.

Thomas braced his hand on the bed and forced himself to stand, but his legs felt like they might give out beneath him.

He staggered forward, catching himself against the wall.

He couldn't collapse here.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed open the door and shuffled toward the stairs.

Using the railing for support, he made it to the second floor. The first room on the right was Matilda's.

He raised his hand to knock.

Before his knuckles touched the door, his knees buckled.

Thomas pitched forward, his shoulder slamming into the door with a dull thud before he slid down against it.

Matilda was sitting on her bed when the loud crash at her door made her freeze.

She frowned at the door, hesitating for a moment before walking over and pulling it open.

Thomas was sitting slumped against the doorframe, one hand braced on the floor, his face drained of all color.

Matilda froze for a second, not expecting to see him.

"What's wrong with you?"

Thomas lifted his head. When he saw who it was, his lips moved, but no words came out.

His consciousness was already slipping. The scene in front of him swayed, Matilda's face flickering in and out of focus.

The next second, his vision went black, and he collapsed backward.

"Thomas?"

Matilda instinctively reached out to catch him. Thomas fell against her legs, his full weight pressing down.

She reflexively tried to push him away, but when her hand touched his forehead, she felt how alarmingly hot it was.

"You have a fever?"

Matilda tapped his face. "Thomas? Can you hear me?"

There was no response. He'd passed out completely.

Just then, the door next to hers opened.

Gavin stuck his head out, clearly startled by the scene in the hallway.

He hurried over and crouched down, glancing between Thomas on the floor and Matilda.

"Isn't that the guy from this morning?"

"Yeah."

"What's he doing collapsed at your door?"

Matilda didn't answer the question.

She couldn't lift Thomas on her own. After two failed attempts to prop him up, she looked at Gavin.

"Could you help me get him to a hospital?"

Without a word, Gavin bent down and hoisted one of Thomas's arms over his shoulder, bearing most of his weight.

"Let's go. I saw a hospital nearby earlier."

Matilda moved to Thomas's other side, supporting him there.

Thomas's head lolled forward, his entire weight sagging between them.

His hand hung limply, his fingertips brushing against the back of Matilda's hand.

Matilda bit her lip and picked up the pace.

The two of them half-carried, half-dragged Thomas to the nearest hospital.

Meadowbrook City wasn't large, so the hospital was close. They brought him straight to the emergency room.

The nurse took one look at Thomas's condition and immediately called for a doctor.

After a quick examination, the doctor removed his stethoscope and spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "He's got acute gastroenteritis from excessive drinking, plus dehydration, which caused the fever. We'll give him something to bring the fever down and keep him under observation overnight. Barring complications, he should be fine."

Matilda stood outside the exam room. For some reason, hearing the doctor's words made her finally unclench the fist she'd been holding tight in her pocket.

Of course she knew why Thomas had been drinking—because of what she'd said to him.

A nurse wheeled in an IV stand and inserted the needle into Thomas's arm.

He lay on the hospital bed, his face completely drained of color, eyes closed, breathing shallow. He looked utterly fragile.

She'd never seen Thomas look this vulnerable before.

Gavin stood beside Matilda, noticing her silence. He lowered his voice. "You know him?"

Matilda was quiet for two seconds before she answered.

"He's my ex-husband."