Chapter 8 This Young Man Can Be Trusted
Matilda was also very respectful to David. "Yes, David, I just got off work."
When David saw Wentworth, he asked curiously, "And this is...?"
"My... friend, named Wentworth Gonzaga." Matilda didn't plan to tell the truth for now.
David had an "I get it" look on his face. He looked Wentworth up and down, then said happily, "Young man, you're quite handsome, very dignified, very dignified. Matty, I'm old, and I'm never wrong about people. This young man is a good person, someone you can depend on for life."
Matilda smiled awkwardly.
Wentworth also politely greeted him, "Hello, David."
David's expression then became serious again. "Matty, you're right to bring your friend back. Last night I saw that so-called big brother of yours hanging around downstairs again. Then another group of people showed up, and the two sides got into a fight. It scared us to death. This area may be old, but the security has always been good. When have we ever had such a violent fight, right? Matty, you must be careful."
Matilda said, "I'm actually here to pack my things. I'm planning to move to my friend's place."
David immediately showed his support. "Yes, if you can move out, you should. Our family is moving out soon too. My son bought an apartment in a new complex and won't let us live in this old building anymore. This morning I was telling my wife that after we move, who will look after you? But knowing you're moving too, we feel relieved."
Matilda first felt a sense of loss, then said happily to David, "David, congratulations to you both. You have a devoted son."
It seemed her decision to move to Wentworth's place was the right one.
......
Wentworth followed Matilda into her home.
Although the house was old, it looked very tidy, and you could tell she loved reading. The coffee table and TV cabinet were covered with her books, and there was a bookshelf by the window, also full of books.
There were medical reference books, adventure-filled Western exploration novels, classic world literature, and even a few success-oriented bestsellers. The complete "Harry Potter" series and "Dune" were among them too.
While packing, Matilda said to Wentworth, "I usually just read books when I'm off work and have nothing to do."
"Don't watch TV or use your phone?" Wentworth asked.
Matilda smiled. "The TV is too old and breaks down from time to time. I'm too lazy to buy a new one. As for my phone, I just use it for calls, messages, or looking things up. Though I do watch shows occasionally. Do you... think I'm boring?"
She suddenly cared about his opinion.
"Of course not," Wentworth said. "But you should still exercise more when you have time, to stay healthy."
"I do have a morning jogging habit."
"That's not enough." Wentworth flipped through a copy of "Frontier Medical Compendium" on the coffee table. "When you're free, I'll teach you some self-defense moves, in case someone bullies you when I'm not around."
Matilda felt warmth in her heart. "Great, I've wanted to learn for a long time, but couldn't find a good coach."
She packed her change of clothes and a pile of books. She didn't take anything else—Wentworth's place had everything.
"All packed?" Wentworth asked.
"Yes." Matilda came over to him and pointed at the book in his hand. "This is what I've been reading recently. I want to take it too."
Wentworth smiled and handed the book back to her.
They were about to leave when they heard a knock on the door.
Matilda thought it was David and quickly went to open it.
But instead, she saw a middle-aged woman standing outside, in her fifties, with a face that had seen hard times and looked rather mean.
Matilda hadn't seen her in over six months. The last time was during Christmas, when she had pretended to be nice and brought over a bag of cookies, then asked about Matilda's salary.
"Matty, you're..." Brianna Cook saw a suitcase and a box of books in the room and couldn't help asking, "Are you moving out?"
Matilda's attitude was cold when she saw her. "Yes."
A smile immediately appeared on Brianna's face. "So this place will be empty then?"
"What do you want?" Matilda stood in the doorway with no intention of inviting Brianna in.
Brianna looked troubled. "Matty, isn't your brother about to start middle school..."
Matilda corrected her. "I don't have a brother."
"What do you mean you don't have a brother? Isn't Paul your brother? A half-brother is still a brother. You share blood."
"What do you want?"
"Matty, Paul is starting middle school, but the middle school in his district isn't good. It's not as good as the school here. I was wondering if we could register his residence at your place so he can attend middle school in your district?"
"Is that what you came here for today?"
"Yes, and also to see you. Matty, how have you been lately? Are you healthy? Is life treating you well?"
Matilda said coldly, "You care about me now? Too late. And this house was left to me by my grandfather. Your son isn't his real grandson. He wouldn't agree to an outsider registering their residence here. Give up on that idea."
"Matty, even though Paul didn't grow up with you, you can't bear to see him not get into a good middle school, can you? What if he doesn't study well and ends up like your brother?"
"First, I don't have any siblings. Second, your son has access to education. Learning depends mainly on oneself, not on what school district you're in. Third, I don't want to have anything to do with your family."
Brianna got angry too. "What do you mean you don't want anything to do with us? I gave birth to you, and that's undeniable. You'll be my daughter for the rest of your life, and I'll be your mother for the rest of mine."
"Then where were you all those years? When I was in elementary school, you moved out. I've been living on my own since eighth grade, taking care of myself. Why didn't you say I was your daughter then?"
"I... wasn't I abandoned by your father? I couldn't manage everything. Matty, I had my difficulties."
"Having difficulties doesn't mean you couldn't check in at all. Forget it, let's not talk about this. I've already gotten through it. Just don't disturb my life anymore."
With that, she picked up her suitcase.
Wentworth came over from behind and carried the box of books for Matilda.
Only then did Brianna notice there was a Wentworth in the room.
She quickly asked, "Matty, where are you moving to? Is it to your boyfriend's place? Leave an address so I can come visit you."
"There's no need."
"Matty..."
Brianna wanted to follow, but Wentworth blocked her way.
Wentworth said coolly, "Ma'am, Matty doesn't want to see you."
Brianna got angry. "You're Matty's boyfriend? Then you might be my future son-in-law. What kind of son-in-law blocks his mother-in-law like this?"
Wentworth's expression remained cold. "Ma'am, please have some self-respect."
With that, Wentworth carried the books downstairs.
A ride-share car was parked downstairs. Wentworth had called it through a ride-hailing app while Matilda was arguing with her mother, to help transport her luggage.
Matilda didn't want to see Brianna and decided to leave her scooter for now, so she got into the ride-share car.