Chapter 91 A Lifetime as Husband and Wife
Matilda completely panicked.
She had watched Wentworth get shot right before her eyes.
"Wentworth! Wentworth, wake up!" She held his shoulders, shaking him desperately.
Wentworth's eyes remained tightly closed, motionless.
"Wentworth, you have to hold on!"
Her voice trembled, tears streaming uncontrollably as her whole body shook with sobs.
Just then, Danny and several team members rushed in.
Danny knelt beside Wentworth, looking at him, then asked Matilda in alarm, "What happened to the Captain?"
"He... he was shot." Matilda was sobbing uncontrollably.
She didn't want him to die. She suddenly realized—she couldn't lose him. Wentworth was the only person in this world who truly cared about her feelings and knew how to love her.
Danny checked Wentworth's body, then actually teared up too. "Captain Gonzaga, you can't die! If you leave like this, it would be such a tragedy... Dr. Spencer hasn't officially agreed to get back together with you yet. You don't have kids, and you might even still be a virgin!"
Matilda looked up at Danny through her tears—was this really how he was going to mourn?
Danny continued sobbing, "Dr. Spencer, the Captain might only have one breath left. Maybe he just wants to hear your answer... Do you love him? Just tell him and put his mind at ease."
Just then, Wentworth's finger twitched slightly.
Matilda said through her tears, "I..."
Danny urged, "Say it!"
"I..." She looked at Wentworth and suddenly realized she'd been too panicked—she'd forgotten to check his wounds or try to save him.
Looking down, she noticed there was no blood where the bullet hit.
"Danny, he doesn't seem to be bleeding." Matilda said in surprise.
Danny's crying paused for a moment, his expression slightly guilty. "Maybe he bled out already?"
"How is that possible?"
She immediately lifted Wentworth's jacket and found a bulletproof vest underneath!
The bullet had only knocked him unconscious—it hadn't actually penetrated.
"He's okay!" Matilda quickly checked his pulse and heartbeat, crying tears of joy. "He's really okay!"
"Oh... that's good." Danny glanced at the Captain, thinking: 'Captain Gonzaga, my performance ends here. The rest is up to you.'
Matilda patted Wentworth's face again. "Wentworth, wake up!"
After a few pats, Wentworth finally opened his eyes and looked at her.
Seeing him awake, Matilda immediately threw herself into his arms, crying, "Thank God, you're finally awake!"
Wentworth sat up and held her tightly as well.
The scene brought tears to Danny's eyes too.
He couldn't help wiping his tears. "Dr. Spencer, you clearly can't bear to lose the Captain. You actually love him very much, don't you?"
Matilda remained silent, slowly releasing Wentworth.
Wentworth looked at her, a flash of disappointment crossing his eyes.
It seemed that no matter what, she still wouldn't be with him—even after he'd taken a bullet for her.
Although he'd had a bulletproof vest, in that moment, survival was human instinct. Without advance preparation, a person wouldn't realize they wouldn't die—they'd just instinctively dodge.
But in that moment, he hadn't dodged. He'd used his body to shield her.
Even without the bulletproof vest, he would have done the same thing.
It was just that her heart was too hard to warm.
Wentworth smiled self-mockingly and was about to watch her leave when the next second, he felt warmth against his chest—she was pressed against him again, holding him tightly.
He froze.
Matilda hugged him so tightly, and he couldn't help but embrace her back.
"Wentworth, I want to be with you! As long as you don't mind, let's be husband and wife for life!" She was so excited she was incoherent, tears streaming down her face.
Just a second ago, she'd made this decision.
This Wentworth could take a bullet for her—what reason did she have not to be brave?
So what if his mother might give her a hard time? He'd saved her life multiple times—what was losing a little dignity compared to that?
Wentworth held her tightly and asked softly, "Have you really thought this through?"
"I've thought it through. I won't lie to you this time. Wentworth, let's start over. Let me be your wife, and no matter what difficulties we face, I won't mention divorce again!"
Wentworth was as excited as a child.
Danny silently wiped his tears nearby—the Captain really had it rough.
...
That afternoon, the criminals' identities were revealed.
They were an international crime syndicate who had fled to the ranch after a gunfight with another gang yesterday. They'd planned to heal their injured accomplice before killing the herding family, but they encountered Wentworth.
Matilda also received a commendation. Wentworth praised her for staying calm under pressure and buying precious time for the rescue, personally presenting her with the certificate.
However, her activities now had new restrictions—all future medical calls required waiting for security escort personnel to arrive before departing.
Although they'd reconciled, they didn't have many chances to meet.
Her clinic only had two doctors and one nurse, so no one could cover her shifts. Wentworth worked on a rotation schedule, often patrolling the border and sometimes standing guard, so their rest times rarely overlapped.
But Wentworth went to the small town restaurant more frequently, and Matilda also had to eat, so they'd arrange to meet there in advance.
The restaurant owner was relieved to see them finally make up. Every time she saw them coming, she'd be especially happy and even give them larger portions.
"You two should have made up ages ago! Having to go through such dangerous situations before figuring it out. If you'd been unlucky, you both could have been gone, and that would have been a lifelong regret."
Matilda thought about it and felt the same way.
Wentworth grasped her hand under the table. She pulled away, he grabbed it again, she pulled away again, he grabbed it again, and finally just wouldn't let go.
Matilda couldn't help asking, "Are you going to eat with your left hand?"
Wentworth raised an eyebrow. "What's so hard about that?"
He was ambidextrous—not only could he eat with either hand, he could shoot and fight with both as well.
...
"Matty, is that Major Gonzaga really your husband?" Levi finally couldn't help asking.
He'd noticed Matilda working with particular enthusiasm today, smiling from time to time.
Matilda nodded.
Levi smiled. "When people told me before, I didn't believe it. I never expected it was true."
Matilda said, "Before coming here, we had a small conflict, but it's resolved now. We made up."
Levi sighed, "Then you must treasure this relationship. He's saved you multiple times, which shows he values you greatly and is willing to protect you with his life."
Matilda nodded bashfully, then asked, "Dr. MacAllister, I'd like to learn how to make your local hot cocoa with fresh cream. Could Mrs. MacAllister teach me?"