Chapter 180

Chapter 180
He didn't tell her that to keep this restaurant running, he'd specifically bought the property and hired the original chef at a high salary to continue working here.

Some things, once done, didn't need to be mentioned.

"Mr. Perkins, you're here~"

It wasn't peak hours, so there weren't many people in the restaurant. The manager immediately recognized the figure at the door and came forward with a smile.

When his gaze fell on Evelyn beside Matthew, his smile paused.

He found her familiar but couldn't place her for a moment.

"Hello, this is my wife." Matthew raised his voice to introduce her.

Evelyn nodded lightly but stomped hard on Matthew's foot.

"Who told you to introduce me like that? You're getting more and more presumptuous."

"If you keep this up, forget about me considering you!"

Matthew pretended to look at the menu, but the corners of his mouth wouldn't go down.

Evelyn was speechless—she'd never met someone so impervious to both carrot and stick.

The pasta was quickly brought out, steaming hot, still the taste from her memories.

The manager personally brought it over, looking at this "new customer" with anticipation.

Evelyn picked up her utensils, slurped some noodles, and her eyes curved with satisfaction. "So delicious!"

The manager's eyes crinkled into crescents with his smile.

"Excuse me, I heard from Matthew there's a special sauce here. Could I get some?"

The manager's smile froze, his voice somewhat dejected:

"I'm sorry, we've stopped selling the special sauce."

"Why?" Evelyn was puzzled.

That special sauce—she'd taught the chef how to make it using Seaside City's specialty method years ago. It had always been very popular.

"The young lady who taught me how to make the special sauce..."

"She died in a ferry fire. The head chef and I feel sad every time we think about it, so we decided to stop making it."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened.

Evelyn's heart clenched sharply.

She gently patted the manager's hand:

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. What you have now is wonderful. Please, go rest."

Evelyn stared at his retreating figure in a daze.

She'd never imagined her death would leave such a deep wound on a restaurant owner.

If even he felt this way...

She didn't dare think about how Matthew had spent these three years after learning of her "death."

She'd always thought Matthew just wasn't used to her sudden disappearance, that he didn't really love her.

But after these past few days together, she was hesitant.

He still ordered her favorite flowers.

His apartment remained exactly as it was before she left, nothing changed.

He remembered her preferences and would openly introduce her to others.

What if... what if Matthew truly loved her?

Had the punishment she'd given him been too severe?

Evelyn silently finished the bowl of pasta.

They walked to the apartment building entrance when Matthew suddenly stopped.

"Eve, you go up first. I'll go get the flowers."

Evelyn nodded and took the elevator up first.

Last time she'd only glimpsed briefly. This time she had time to slowly walk around the apartment.

Then she was surprised to find Matthew really hadn't touched anything.

Her old toothbrush, those long-expired cosmetics—all still quietly in their places.

She walked to the baby crib and reached out to touch the soft pad on the little bed.

The fabric was somewhat worn—he must touch it often.

As she stood lost in thought, light footsteps sounded behind her.

Matthew had come in at some point. Seeing what she was doing, his gaze darkened.

Then he stepped forward and hugged her tightly from behind.

"I'm sorry." His voice was soft, muffled against her ear.

"I'm sorry... it's all my fault."

Evelyn's feelings were complicated.

Saying some things over and over, repeatedly opening each other's wounds, actually had no meaning.

"Alright, I'm going to water the plants." She pushed him away, found a watering can, and went to fill it with water and nutrient solution.

Matthew followed behind her.

"After you left, the plants you raised all died. I bought similar ones, but still couldn't take care of them well."

"It kept cycling like that... Thank goodness you came back."

Evelyn was speechless. "If you can't keep them alive, just spare the plants. Why insist on keeping them?"

Matthew gently rested against her neck. "I wanted to keep this place exactly as it was when we were together."

Evelyn said nothing, silently watering the plants.

After finishing, she sat on the sofa to rest and took a sip from the water Matthew handed her.

Looking around, she noticed the sofa was much more worn than before.

"You should replace it."

"Don't want to."

"Why not?"

"Because in the bedroom... I often can't sleep." Matthew's voice was soft.

Evelyn understood.

Those two baby cribs were right there. He probably always thought of those sad things.

She was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke:

"I was thinking... my children are grown now."

"If the kids come to live here in the future, how would that work?"

The air suddenly went quiet.

Matthew looked up, staring at her in a daze.

Something in those eyes suddenly lit up.

After a long while, he finally found his voice. "...You mean?"

"Don't worry! We definitely won't live here then!"

Matthew's voice carried cautious joy.

"The Lake Serenity villa hasn't been decorated much. We'll live there then, okay?"

"There's a great kindergarten and elementary school there. The scenery is beautiful too—perfect for children!"

"I'll find people these next few days to decorate it in the style you like!"