Chapter 77
"How did I not know she was back in the country?" Matthew's voice was somewhat hoarse.
"As soon as she came back, she heard about your arranged marriage with Marigold." Elysia looked at him, her eyes full of grief and indignation. "She kept telling me not to disturb you!"
"Even though she's reached the advanced stages of depression and bipolar disorder, she wouldn't let me tell you a single word!"
Matthew stood frozen.
When Sloane left that year, he'd thought it was her choice.
He'd let go, but he'd never imagined this was the truth behind it all.
Thomas hurried over, asking if they should take her to the hospital.
Elysia quickly said no—Sloane had claustrophobia and was terrified of hospitals. Going to one would make her break down completely.
As they were speaking, Sloane slowly came to.
She opened her eyes, looked around in confusion, and her gaze landed on Matthew.
Then she saw the doctor standing at the door, and her expression instantly turned panicked.
She kept shrinking back behind Matthew, shouting, "No... I don't want to go..."
Elysia quickly crouched down, gently patting her back. "We won't go. We're not going."
"Sloane, look—the doctor left."
Matthew signaled for the doctor to leave.
He looked down at Sloane cowering behind him, feeling something lodge in his chest.
This woman had once been the person he wanted to spend his life with. Now she'd become like this.
And all of it was because of the Perkins family.
After a moment of silence, he crouched down and said softly, "Come on. I'll take you both back."
Matthew drove Sloane and Elysia to their residence.
Sloane got out of the car and stood by the door, looking at him with words on the tip of her tongue.
Moonlight fell on her pale face. Those eyes held both pleading and expectation.
Matthew didn't get out of the car, nor did he meet Sloane's gaze.
"Take good care of her," he said only this to Elysia, then had the driver turn around and leave.
Not until the vehicle disappeared from view did the pallor fade from Sloane's face, replaced by a dark gloom.
"Has he really fallen for that substitute?" Sloane said bitterly.
"How could that be? Mr. Perkins loved you so much before. How could he possibly fall for a substitute?" Elysia spoke up. "Mr. Perkins must just need time to adjust to the news of you coming back. Take it slow."
Sloane didn't respond, her eyes following the direction where the vehicle had disappeared.
Matthew leaned back in his seat, his mind in turmoil.
He remembered what Evelyn had said this morning. "Come home early tonight."
With such difficulty, she'd finally opened her heart to him.
With such difficulty, they'd finally reached this point.
How could he bring this up to her? How could he explain everything that happened today?
He rubbed his temples and sighed.
Matthew stood at the front door, gripping the handle but not pushing it open for a long time.
He took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, then turned the key.
The moment the door opened, he froze.
Warm yellow light spilled from the dining room, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.
The dining table was covered with dishes.
All his favorites.
Evelyn sat at the table. Hearing the sound, she looked up and smiled at him. "You're back?"
In that instant, all the turmoil in Matthew's heart suddenly scattered.
He walked over and hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Why did you come back to City A so early?" His voice was muffled, carrying a hint of playful complaint. "Didn't I tell you to stay with Mrs. Gray a while longer?"
Evelyn turned her face to look at him, warmth glowing in her eyes. "Once I knew about the past between her and my family, I didn't want to stay any longer."
She paused, her voice softening. "Besides... I missed you."
Matthew went still.
He turned her around to face him, looking into her eyes. Those eyes were crystal clear, reflecting his image.
"This is the first time you've said something like this to me," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. "Why didn't you say it before?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes at him, though her lips curved in a smile. "Before, you were engaged. I told you—I won't be the other woman."
Matthew paused, then smiled.
That smile held relief, gratitude, and endless tenderness.
Evelyn looked at his expression and smiled too. "As long as things stay like this from now on, I don't mind sweet-talking you every day."
Matthew pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.
The matter with Sloane... he'd suppress it for now. Wait for the right moment to bring it up.
She'd finally opened her heart to him with such difficulty. Now wasn't the right time.
He comforted himself with this reasoning and took her hand, walking toward the dining table.
They ate a warm and satisfying meal.
Evelyn kept adding food to his plate. Matthew accepted everything, eating every bite she served him clean.
Occasionally, they'd look up, and their gazes would meet, then both would smile and look away.
Outside the window, night deepened. Inside, warmth pervaded.
After dinner, Matthew volunteered to do the dishes.
Evelyn sat on the sofa watching TV, though her eyes kept drifting toward the kitchen.
Watching him wearing that ridiculous pink apron, bustling around at the sink, her heart melted completely.
Before long, he finished washing up and came to sit beside her.
"What are you watching?" he asked.
"TV." Evelyn pointed at the screen, where an old movie was playing.
Matthew had no interest in the TV. His gaze stayed fixed on her face.
Under the lamplight, her profile was soft and serene, her lashes casting delicate shadows below her eyes.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Evelyn naturally leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.
Neither spoke, yet the atmosphere was impossibly warm.
Unknowingly, something changed.
Matthew's hands began to wander restlessly, gently squeezing her waist.
Evelyn's cheeks heated. She pressed down on his hand and said quietly, "What are you doing?"
Matthew leaned close to her ear, his breath hot.
"I missed you," he said, his voice low, carrying emotions long suppressed. "It's been so long since we... Can we tonight?"
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.
She certainly knew what he meant.
The pregnancy had passed the unstable months. Now they certainly could...
She nodded quickly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum. "Shower first."
Matthew's gaze darkened. He scooped her up in his arms.
After their showers, both were flushed and hearts racing.
Matthew laid Evelyn on the bed and looked down at her.
Fresh from the bath, her whole body glowed with a faint pink hue, carrying the moist warmth of water vapor.
Her lashes still held tiny droplets of water. As her eyes moved, they were full of shyness.
He leaned down to kiss her, gentle as if handling a precious, fragile treasure.
Evelyn closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.