Chapter 115 Amelia Arrives
Amelia had just gotten off the phone with a young woman abroad. Her name was Juliana Smith, and in Amelia's mind, she was the perfect daughter-in-law. A perfect match for Wentworth. All she had to do was wait for Juliana to return to the country and for Wentworth to come home. Once they met face to face, Amelia had plenty of ways to push them together.
Then she heard Matilda was back.
"Where did she go?" Amelia asked Linda.
Linda was her personal assistant, handling both work and personal matters.
"She went to the apartment Mr. Wentworth Gonzaga bought downtown."
Wentworth had never been willing to sell that place. Worried there might be another Matilda situation, Amelia had specifically arranged for someone to keep an eye on it.
"What's she doing back at that apartment?" Amelia's voice was sharp. "Didn't that woman agree to the divorce? What was her name again... Matilda, right?"
Linda hesitated, then reported, "According to my investigation, Mr. Wentworth Gonzaga and Matilda checked into a hotel together in a county near the border. Also, Matilda provided medical support in that area for a year and a half, and Mr. Wentworth Gonzaga was stationed there for over a year as well. They likely got back together during that time."
Amelia's nails dug into her palms. Her eyes looked ready to shoot flames.
...
It was already late December. Since Matilda wouldn't start back at the hospital until after the New Year, she'd decided to really fix up her and Wentworth's place.
The master bedroom had Wentworth's things in it, but his sheets and comforter were too plain—way too masculine. She wanted it cozier, so she swapped them out for warmer colors. The curtains were too cold-toned too, so she changed those as well. Then she went to her old place to grab some personal items.
One day while she was dusting, the doorbell rang. Since coming back, she'd only told Zoey, but Zoey and Mr. Turner had gone to Hawaii for vacation and were spending the holidays there.
The apartment had a video doorbell. Matilda saw Amelia standing outside with her assistant. Her scalp prickled instantly.
But what had to come would come. If she'd decided to spend the rest of her life with Wentworth, she had to face every storm that came with it.
She opened the door. Faced with Amelia's ice-cold expression, she forced out a smile and said softly, "Mom."
Amelia gave a cold laugh but didn't respond. She walked in and made a circuit of the apartment. Her powerful presence seemed to drop the temperature several degrees.
After her tour, she walked toward Matilda and fixed her with a crushing stare. Looks couldn't kill, but this one felt like hail pelting down on Matilda's body and face.
Matilda forced herself to hold steady, repeating to herself: You have to hold it together. You have to.
"When did you get back?" Amelia finally spoke.
"Yesterday."
"I told you to divorce Wentworth before. You agreed so readily. So why are you tangled up with him again?"
Matilda smiled slightly. Instead of answering directly, she said, "Mom, why don't you sit down first? I can explain everything that's happened this past year."
She moved toward the coffee maker.
Amelia stopped her. "No need. I'm not interested in what happened between you and Wentworth this year."
Matilda's hand paused on the coffee pot. Fine. That saved her the trouble.
Amelia looked at her again. "You're right that you and Wentworth aren't divorced yet. You're still legally married. But I'm asking you—do you really want to be a Gonzaga daughter-in-law?"
Matilda met her eyes steadily. "I want to be Wentworth's wife."
"Wentworth is my son. A Gonzaga. Marriage isn't just about two people. You should understand that Wentworth has responsibilities to this family, so we have standards for who joins it. You know all this."
Matilda bit her lip, then smiled. "I know. I'll be a good daughter-in-law."
Amelia glanced around at the apartment's furnishings and smiled. "You think being a good daughter-in-law is as simple as changing curtains and wiping down tables? If you want to be a Gonzaga daughter-in-law, then pack your things. You're moving back to the Gonzaga estate today. I'll teach you properly what it means to be part of this family."
Both Matilda and Linda froze.
Move back to the Gonzaga estate?
What was Amelia planning?
If she moved back there, wouldn't that be announcing to everyone that she was Wentworth's wife?
Matilda's hands clenched involuntarily. This wasn't simple. The old woman was definitely plotting something.
"Mom, I'm comfortable here. I don't need to move back. You don't like me anyway. Having me under your nose would just irritate you, wouldn't it?"
Amelia's smile didn't reach her eyes. "You're right, I do find you irritating. But since you're dead set on being a Gonzaga daughter-in-law, then as the matriarch of this household, it's my duty to properly train you."
With that, Amelia gave Linda a look. Linda understood immediately and made a phone call. Within minutes, several bodyguards arrived, saying they'd come to help with Matilda's luggage.
Matilda took a deep breath. The way Amelia operated was terrifying. If she could send people to collect luggage today, couldn't she send people to commit her to a psychiatric hospital tomorrow?
But then again, Amelia was Charles and Wentworth's mother. A mother with truly twisted intentions couldn't have raised two such outstanding sons. She was probably just domineering and wanted to teach her a lesson.
With that thought, Matilda forced herself to appear calm. "Mom, since you're personally inviting me back, I'll come. I didn't have much upbringing growing up. Please do teach me properly."
Amelia's sharp gaze fixed on her. "Don't worry. Once we're living under the same roof, there will be plenty of opportunities to teach you."
...
By the time Matilda arrived at the Gonzaga estate, Charles had just gotten word. The second he heard, he rushed back.
"Mom... Matty?"
Seeing Matilda, Charles immediately had a bad feeling. He'd been in meetings from yesterday until now. Kai had been giving him looks all morning and sending messages, but he'd ignored them all. He should've checked his phone.
The moment Amelia saw Charles, her anger flared. "What are you doing back here? You knew exactly what your brother was up to while stationed at the border, didn't you? He got back together with his ex-wife. Why didn't you tell me? You made me go fetch her myself."
"Mom, why did you bring Matty back here? Just let her stay at the apartment Wentworth bought."
"Absolutely not. My daughter-in-law belongs here, not living alone out there. Is it safe out there? Can she be properly taken care of?"
Charles thought to himself: 'Yeah right, who doesn't know what you're really up to?'
"Mom, maybe I should move back home too. More people makes it livelier," Charles said.