Chapter 14 You Need to Give Her a Sense of Security
Matilda paused, then typed: [You don't need to ask my opinion. If you want to buy it, just buy it. I have no right to stop you.]
But feeling the tone was too harsh, she deleted the last sentence before sending.
Wentworth replied: [Do you have any car models or styles you like?]
Matilda: [No.]
Wentworth: [Then I'll go ahead and buy one. We'll keep it at home for everyone to use.]
After a while, Wentworth sent another message: [Today is our wedding day. What do you want to eat after work?]
Matilda didn't reply to his message right away.
Usually when people talk about their wedding anniversary, they mean the day of the wedding ceremony, rarely the day they registered their marriage.
When she was little, influenced by certain TV dramas, she really hoped to find her Prince Charming and walk down the aisle with him. She would secretly design the wedding dress she'd wear in her notebooks.
But Wentworth hadn't mentioned any of this to her, and she hadn't brought it up either. There probably wouldn't be a wedding ceremony.
Whatever. She'd just treat this marriage as a practical arrangement.
Even without a wedding, Wentworth had taken care of the house and car. She couldn't ask for too much.
Besides, even if they had a wedding, who could she invite? Who would genuinely wish her well?
Just as she was about to reply to Wentworth, a message popped up in the work group: there was a training session tonight with a state-level expert coming to lecture, and Wesley required all doctors not on duty to attend.
Matilda sent Wentworth a message: [I have something tonight. You eat by yourself.]
......
Wentworth was sitting in a rest area at the auto exhibition center, looking at Matilda's message.
Since they registered their marriage, Matilda's attitude had been cold, like a player who ghosts someone after getting them hooked. It made him feel a bit down.
After thinking for a while, he sent Charles a message: [Charles, I registered our marriage today.]
Charles replied almost instantly: [Congrats, now I'm the only single one left in the family.]
[But I feel like Matty doesn't seem very happy. I can't quite figure her out. Charles, do you know why?]
Charles must have been busy—he didn't reply for ten minutes: [Don't try to figure women out. Just give her a sense of security.]
Wentworth thought carefully for a while and felt like he understood something.
So he strode toward the Land Rover display area.
He had his eye on a white Range Rover. This SUV was very impressive—a woman driving a car like this would definitely feel secure.
"Do you have this model in stock? What's the price?" Wentworth asked the Land Rover salesperson.
"The base model is around $140,000, with fees and registration, about $150,000 total. Sir, do you want it right away? For immediate purchase you need to pay in full. Would you mind a display model?"
"I don't mind. Put it under my wife's name. I'll pay in full."
The salesperson beamed: "Alright sir, you can handle the paperwork and drive it away today."
So Wentworth went to swipe his card.
He decided to give this car to Matilda. He had several cars at his other home, the cheapest one over a million dollars, but those were used. So he decided to give her a brand new one.
......
Matilda's training tonight wouldn't end until 9:30.
Finally it was over, and she walked to the hospital entrance.
She'd taken a taxi this morning, so tonight she'd either take the bus or get a taxi.
Buses at this hour only came every half hour. One had just left, and the next wouldn't arrive until 10, so Matilda decided to get a taxi.
As it happened, Irene was also at the entrance waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up.
Seeing Matilda, Irene asked provocatively, "Why aren't you riding your scooter?"
Matilda took out her phone and opened the app: "I didn't bring the scooter."
Irene said disdainfully, "Your boyfriend has money to buy such a big house, why doesn't he save some money to buy a car?"
Just as Irene finished speaking, a white Land Rover stopped in front of Matilda. The window was half open, and Wentworth called to her from inside, "Matty, get in."
Matilda froze for a moment.
The car didn't have plates yet—it must have been bought today.
Why did he buy such a big, rugged car? It totally matched his style.
Looks like he bought it according to his own taste, without considering her at all.
Well, it's his money. He can buy whatever car he wants.
Matilda got into the passenger seat and was about to pull the seatbelt, but having never sat in this type of car before, the belt got stuck and she couldn't pull it down.
Seeing this, Wentworth quickly leaned over to help her pull down the seatbelt and fasten it.
He was very close to her. Feeling his breath, Matilda's body stiffened involuntarily, and she didn't dare move.
"There." Wentworth said.
Matilda made a sound of acknowledgment.
After he sat back properly, she asked: "This car... you bought it today?"
"Yes. Do you like it?"
Matilda thought to herself: What does it matter if I like it or not? As long as you like it.
"How much did it cost?" she asked.
"Not very expensive, $150,000 total."
"You... have that much money?" Matilda asked.
Wentworth paused. $150,000 wasn't expensive.
Thinking about the gap in their family situations, and not wanting to scare her, he said, "My brother lent me $50,000."
Matilda bit her lip, "Over the years I've saved up some money by being frugal. Altogether I have a little over $50,000. I'll transfer it to you so you can pay Charles back first."
"That's not necessary, is it?" Wentworth felt there was no need.
Matilda said stubbornly: "Since we're married now, our money is marital property. Besides, you said this car is for everyone to use together. I can't contribute nothing. Plus, you're in the military—you probably don't make much salary, right?"
Wentworth fell silent.
Where did she get the idea that his salary was low?
"Let's not talk about this now. Let's go home first."
......
Irene watched Matilda get into Wentworth's car. She recognized this car—her boyfriend often talked about how he'd definitely drive a Land Rover once he had money.
This was clearly a new car, and not cheap either.
Irene couldn't help clenching her fists, the flames of jealousy burning fiercely in her heart.
What did Matilda have that she didn't?
She quickly took a photo of the Land Rover with her phone and sent it to Adalyn.
"Addie, this is Matilda's husband's car."
Adalyn didn't reply—she probably hadn't seen the message yet.
Just then Irene's boyfriend arrived in his car too.
Looking at her boyfriend's car, which cost around $50,000, Irene felt for the first time that it was low-end.
"What's wrong babe? You look unhappy," Irene's boyfriend asked.
Irene said indignantly: "I just can't stand some female doctors who use their looks to hook up with rich male patients while treating them, making the men buy them houses and cars."
Her boyfriend, hearing this, also said indignantly: "Those women can only make money while they're young. In a few years, who'll look at them? The money they get will have to be paid back eventually."
Irene sneered, "That's what I think too."
......
In a new residential complex in Phoenix City, Adalyn had just finished her workout with Reuben, and they lay in bed exhausted.
"Babe, how was that move I just did? Wasn't it great?" Reuben asked, holding Adalyn.