Chapter 193 Scarlett
Seeing Matilda's expression change, Rose continued, "Actually, no need to stress. Most important thing is staying emotionally stable. No matter how hard or exhausting, just push through and it passes."
Matilda decided right then—she needed to find work.
A career was a woman's shield. Wentworth had money. If she got pregnant, they could hire help for the baby.
...
After buying groceries and having a simple lunch, she felt bored.
She opened the local job search site to see if any hospitals were hiring doctors.
There were positions, but none that fit her qualifications.
Whatever. A rare break—she wouldn't force it. Time to read.
That evening, Wentworth called to say he wasn't coming home.
If she was being honest, she didn't mind at all. There were several pages left on her novel and well, this meant no interuptions.
The next day, she went grocery shopping with Rose and Phoebe again. Rose mentioned a dance party on the weekend and asked if she wanted to come.
Of course she agreed immediately.
...
The military housing complex was mostly families during the day. Leadership worried about spouses getting bored, so they organized weekly activities—games, singing, ballroom dancing, that sort of thing.
This week happened to be ballroom dancing.
About a hundred people showed up at the hall. Those who could dance danced. Those who couldn't sat below eating snacks and drinking beverages.
Everybody adorned their best outfits.
Matilda wore a white sleeveless dress with a fitted waist that fell just to her knees, showing off her graceful figure beautifully.
Zoey had given her this dress while she was caring for Wentworth at the recovery center. She'd brought few clothes, so Zoey sent over a dozen outfits, saying she was using Charles's card anyway—Gonzaga family money, no need to pay it back.
Matilda didn't recognize brands or prices, but she knew this was quality—the fabric felt amazing, so good you couldn't bear to throw it in the washing machine. And after washing and drying, it still looked brand new.
Maybe because of the dress, when she entered, lots of people focused their attention on her.
"Who's that? Never seen her before."
"Wentworth's wife."
"Oh, that's her?"
Many looked at her welcomingly. Some were skeptical, like Rose and Phoebe had been at first.
But Matilda didn't care. She wasn't great at socializing, didn't expect loads of close friends. Getting along peacefully with everyone was enough. Plus, with Wentworth's position, people had to be somewhat friendly for his sake.
She couldn't dance, so she sat below with Rose and the others, eating snacks and watching.
Before long, a young woman with long hair approached—looked about twenty-two at most.
She greeted Rose, then her gaze settled on Matilda.
Her eyes held a hint of scrutiny.
Others had merely been skeptical—Matilda was so beautiful that even minimal effort made her stand out, like a celebrity among ordinary people. They worried she might be all looks, no substance.
But this woman's scrutiny carried unfriendliness and a touch of contempt.
"Scar, this is Wentworth's wife, Matilda. You can call her Matty," Rose said.
"Matty, this is Scarlett—the lieutenant colonel's niece. She teaches at our military elementary school. Piano and literature."
Matilda nodded at her.
Scarlett gave Matilda an extremely forced smile, then asked, "Are you just staying here temporarily, or planning to follow him long-term?"
"Long-term," Matilda said.
"Not working? What did you do before?"
"Doctor."
Scarlett froze.
Doctors had higher educational requirements than elementary teachers, definately made more money too.
Scarlett looked at Matilda with some resentment. "So did you resign to come here, or transfer to our military hospital?"
"Resigned."
She'd initially wanted to transfer, but heard it was complicated. Military hospitals generally hired military doctors. She didn't want Wentworth pulling strings for her. So she told him she'd resign first, thenfind work slowly after arriving.
Scarlett finally found something to attack. "You rashly resigned before finding a new job? What if you can't find one—won't you be unemployed? Women should never give up their careers for men."
Matilda didn't respond, just smiled faintly.
Did this girl not notice Rose and Phoebe—both stay-at-home wives—sitting right here?
Rose and Phoebe weren't having it. "Scar, why make things hard for other women?"
"Right. Can you guarantee you'll never marry a soldier? Do you know how hard we have it?"
"I just... I just think Wentworth's wife is still young. Why give up her career at a young age?" Scarlett explained.
Rose and Phoebe remained unhappy.
"Wentworth's in his thirties, right? Now that he's married, they'll have kids soon. Then Matty would have to work and take care of kids—how could she manage both?"
"Doesn't Wentworth's family have money? Can't he hire help?"
Phoebe looked at her helplessly. "Wait till you have kids, then you'll know. Even with help, someone has to supervise. Who'll do that—Wentworth? Your own child is precious. You want to watch them constantly. Before age three, you can't bear to leave them."
Scarlett looked unconvinced.
What's wrong with nannies? Sacrifice three years and your career's gone?
As she left, she glared at Matilda. "I'm going to dance. Have to prep lessons tonight."
...
After Scarlett left, Phoebe cracked sunflower seeds and complained, "That Scar—thinks she's so special because the lieutenant colonel backs her."
"I heard she gave Wentworth a gift once, but he returned it," Rose said.
"Oh? When was this?"
"Early this year."
"Does she like Wentworth?"
Rose was about to continue, but Phoebe nudged her, reminding her Matilda was right there.
Matilda actually laughed graciously. "Lots of people like Wentworth. Some pursue him right in front of me even knowing he's married."
"That's true," Phoebe said. "Wentworth's so young and handsome—liking him is normal. If I were ten years younger, I'd... anyway, lots of women in this complex like him."
Matilda smiled.
...
That night at home, Matilda texted Zoey.
[Zoey, how've you been these past few days? Did you go for your checkup? Has Charles's ex contacted him again?]