Chapter 159 Feeling Guilty Yet Unable to Stop
"I just wanted someone to go out with me. Since you all won't keep me company, I had to ask Juliana. She's managing company business while she's with me—it's not like she's completely neglecting work."
Once Amelia put it that way, Charles didn't press further. He turned to Matilda and Zoey. "Since Mom's not here, let's come back when she returns. I'll call ahead next time."
If Charles wasn't at the Gonzaga estate, he naturally had to go back to work. He was swamped.
"Matilda, are you heading home? If not, want to grab coffee and chat?" Zoey asked.
Matilda shook her head. "No thanks. I need to check on the renovation progress at the villa." It was just an excuse. She'd felt unsettled these past couple of days, like something was weighing on her. Sometimes she couldn't even breathe properly in her sleep.
"Then I'll come with you and give you my two cents," Zoey said.
Matilda fell silent. Now she had no choice but to go.
On the way, Matilda asked, "How have things been with you and Charles lately?"
Zoey blushed slightly. "Pretty good. I think after I left for those few days, he's worried I might do it again. He's been coming home earlier from work lately, and sometimes he brings me treats."
"No wonder you've put on weight."
"I'm not holding grudges anymore. As for whether he's still in touch with that ex-girlfriend, I have no idea. I don't go through his phone."
They went to check out the villa. It was Zoey's first time there, and seeing how luxurious the Phoenix Bay villa was, she felt genuinely envious.
"Matilda, Wentworth is so good to you."
"You mean buying this villa?" Matilda pressed a hand to her heavy chest. "I'm the one who envies you two—you get to be together every day."
Zoey teased her. "Matilda, do you miss him?"
"Do I?"
"Totally. It's written all over your face."
Matilda didn't think so. She'd missed him before, but not with this oppressive feeling she'd had the past couple of days.
After looking at the renovations for a bit, they were about to leave when Matilda's phone rang. She glanced at it—Ethan. She hadn't seen him in ages.
When she answered, Ethan's voice was excited. "Matty, Carol's here!"
"Really?" Matilda perked up too. "When did she arrive?"
"Two days ago. She's at my place now. When are you free? Let's get together for a meal."
"I'm free right now."
They set a time and place, then Matilda drove. Zoey had nothing else to do and happened to know Carol, so she tagged along.
Ethan had reserved a private room at a restaurant. When Matilda arrived, she saw Carol. Carol had been beautiful at the border—a natural beauty that blended with her surroundings, like a wildflower in full bloom. Now in Phoenix City, she was like a wildflower transplanted to the city, her beauty even more striking against the concrete jungle.
"Carol, it's been so long." Matilda went over and hugged her. Carol hugged her back with a smile.
"Are you staying for good this time?" Matilda asked.
Carol glanced at Ethan. "We'll see."
"She's definitely staying," Ethan said urgently.
Zoey laughed. "What Carol means is it depends on how you treat her. If you're good to her, she'll stay. If not, she's gone."
Ethan looked at Carol. "I won't let you leave."
Carol's face flushed. "Everyone must be hungry. Let's order and talk while we eat."
"Carol, did you sell your little restaurant?" Zoey asked.
With Zoey around, Matilda could learn things she wanted to know but felt awkward asking about.
Carol smiled. "Already sold it."
"So what are your plans now?"
Carol looked a bit embarrassed. "I don't really have any special skills. I've only ever run a restaurant, so I'm thinking of opening one here."
Ethan quickly added, "It's just a plan. First she's going to enjoy Phoenix City for a while." As if afraid people would think he was mistreating Carol.
"Right, get familiar with the area, scope things out," Matilda agreed.
"What kind of restaurant are you thinking?" Zoey asked Carol.
"Mainly noodles. I don't know if people here would like it."
"If it's done well, people will definitely love it. Phoenix City has plenty of noodle places, but you need to stand out. Give it a theme—nostalgic, cozy, rustic, whatever—and have some killer signature dishes," Zoey said. Being a foodie, once she got started, she went on and on.
"Hearing you talk, I'm glad I came. Being stuck in a small place all this time, I had no idea what the outside world was like," Carol said.
"Well, it's not all great. Small towns aren't as competitive—easier to make money. Big cities are cutthroat. You have to put in so much effort, and one wrong move and you're in the red," Zoey said.
"Either way, I'll be there for you. I'll have your back no matter what," Ethan said quickly.
Zoey teased Ethan. "Look at you, all protective husband mode. When are you two getting married?"
Carol smiled. "I still need to get past his mother first."
"You're gorgeous, Ethan's handsome—your future kids will be adorable. His mom has no reason not to approve."
Carol still looked worried. "But people think differently. Maybe I'm just not what his mother's looking for."
At that, Matilda felt a pang in her chest. She was the one who didn't fit Amelia's standards in any way.
Ethan grabbed Carol's hand. "My mom respects me. She'll be happy with whoever I marry. Don't worry. Look, my sister already likes you, doesn't she?"
"I won't know if she approves until we actually meet," Carol said.
...
At the military hospital, Amelia had arranged for Wentworth to be transferred today, but not to Phoenix City. Instead, she was moving him to a major hospital in Majestic City. Her reasoning was that Majestic City had better treatment options than Phoenix City.
Wentworth was lucid sometimes, but most of the time he was out of it. When he was conscious, he needed to hold 'Matilda's' hand. As long as he was holding her hand, he felt temporarily at peace.
Every time Wentworth held her hand, Juliana felt a mixture of guilt and helpless longing.
That afternoon, Wentworth was transferred to a private hospital in Majestic City. The Gonzaga family had connections there that Amelia could use. She could get the best local doctors to treat Wentworth.
That night, they held an emergency consultation for Wentworth.