Chapter 50
The person in his arms breathed softly and steadily, her breath warm against Matthew's abdomen. He lay with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling, forcing his breathing to remain even.
No one knew what entangling images filled Matthew's mind at this moment, nor how much he was suffering. Earlier in the shower, he'd accidentally glimpsed Evelyn—that single glance had him running cold water for a full five minutes.
When he'd carried Evelyn, her soft body pressed against him had made his breathing grow rough. And now, she was completely nestled against him, her collarbone exposed above her neckline, revealing smooth, luminous skin.
He closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing. This wasn't sleeping—it was torture.
He tried shifting away slightly. The moment he created distance, she frowned and burrowed toward him, wrapping around him with both arms and legs. When that leg draped over him, he let out a muffled groan.
Matthew gritted his teeth and waited a long time for the restless heat to subside. Finally breathing easier, he held Evelyn and fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, Matthew woke to a wave of warmth. She must have been cold, pressing insistently into his embrace, drowsily nuzzling about. She was like a cat seeking warmth, tucking herself into his arms but still not satisfied, rubbing around to find a comfortable position.
Matthew's Adam's apple moved as he looked down at her. She slept on, completely unaware. Her small face was docile and peaceful, her lashes like two little fans.
He couldn't help lowering his head and placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
But Evelyn responded to the kiss, even affectionately nuzzling his nose.
Matthew's eyes darkened. He deepened the kiss. Evelyn didn't open her eyes but instinctively responded. Her hand climbed to his shoulder, her fingertips unconsciously caressing the back of his neck.
Matthew was instantly ignited, all reason abandoned. "Eve, are you inviting me?" he whispered in her ear, his voice seductive.
Evelyn made a dreamy murmur and nestled closer, as if in invitation. His palm slid down from her waist, continuing lower.
She hummed softly—a sound impossibly tender, like a cat's mewl, more like an invitation.
He stopped, looking at her. She still didn't wake, only furrowing her brow slightly, her lips moving as if wondering why he'd stopped.
The fire could no longer be contained. He whispered something in her ear. She drowsily responded with a "mm," that sound soft as melting water.
He held back no longer.
Moonlight fell at the foot of the bed. Her voice was soft and sweet, broken and disconnected. When Evelyn whimpered softly, he'd slow down, waiting for her to cling to him again.
After what seemed like an eternity, everything quieted.
She curled in his arms, breathing steadily. He looked down at her, gently brushing aside the damp hair stuck to her forehead. Outside, the night was still deep.
He pulled her closer and fell into deep sleep.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtain gaps onto the bed. When Evelyn woke, her body felt sore and swollen.
Drowsily she turned over and bumped into a warm chest. She froze. Then memories of last night flooded back bit by bit.
Those images, those sensations—they weren't dreams. They were real.
Evelyn's ears burned red. As if remembering something, she pushed hard at the person beside her.
"Matthew."
He opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Last night," she stared at him, "you didn't use protection, did you?"
Matthew was silent for a second. "...No."
Evelyn's anger flared. "You bastard!"
Matthew also sat up, looking at her. "I'll take responsibility," he said, his voice heavy. "I won't deny it."
"Take responsibility?" Evelyn laughed coldly. "How will you take responsibility? Your engagement isn't even broken off—how will you take responsibility?"
Matthew's brow furrowed. "I'll want this child," he said carefully. "My child won't be illegitimate."
"Won't be illegitimate?" Evelyn looked at him, her eyes full of mockery. "Is your engagement just meaningless paper then? The whole city knows you're getting married. What will my child be when it's born?"
"I told you, that's just a transaction..."
"A transaction is still a legally binding engagement!" Evelyn interrupted him, her voice trembling. "Have you thought about how my child will feel when people call them a bastard?"
Matthew fell silent.
Evelyn looked at him, her eyes reddening. "You don't understand," her voice dropped. "You just don't understand."
Matthew's chest tightened with something bitter. He reached out to pull her to him.
Evelyn dodged. "Don't touch me."
Suddenly Evelyn's stomach churned. She covered her mouth and rushed to the bathroom. Matthew followed.
She leaned over the sink but couldn't vomit, only dry heaving. When Evelyn lifted her head, her nose was red, teardrops still clinging to her lashes.
Looking at that face, his heart suddenly ached terribly. Her notebook had been filled with details about him. She'd once cared so much about him.
Why had it come to this? Did she really dislike him that much? Was she so unwilling to bear his child?
"Evelyn." He walked over and embraced her from behind. She stiffened but didn't push him away.
"I really hope," his voice was low, carrying helplessness, "we could get along well. I've been trying everything to be good to you these past days. But I don't know what to do..."
"Tell me, what should I do?"
Evelyn was silent for a long time. Then she spoke, her voice soft. "Can you cancel the engagement?"
Matthew froze. She didn't turn around, just looked at their reflection in the mirror.
"Break off your engagement with her, and I'll believe you."
Matthew was silent.
Evelyn's lips curved slightly. "Never mind," she lowered her head. "Forget I said anything."
"It's not that," Matthew spoke, his voice strained. "The alliance involves too much—it's not something I can just cancel. In a few years when the cooperation is stable, I'll naturally end it."
"Wait a few years?" Evelyn interrupted him. "Matthew, you want me to wait years? When my child can talk in a few years and asks 'why do people call me a bastard,' what should I tell them?"
Matthew couldn't answer.
She pushed him away and washed up. When she lifted her head again, her expression was composed.
"I was only staying by your side because you threatened me," she said calmly. "The child isn't up for discussion. As long as you don't harm my friends, I'll do everything else as you wish and stay by your side."
Evelyn pushed past Matthew and left for work without waiting for his response.
Matthew stood in place, watching her figure disappear through the door. She was right—he'd forced her. From the very beginning, he'd used tactics to keep her here.
Now that she wanted to leave, what right did he have to make her stay? He stood there for a long time without moving.
Evelyn closed the car door, shut her eyes, and took a deep breath. Matthew's possessiveness toward her had reached an obsessive level.
She needed to find a way to escape soon. She placed her hand gently on her abdomen.
Baby, Mama won't let you be born with the stigma of illegitimacy. Absolutely not.