Chapter 4

Matthew's brows tightened, and then his whole body went stiff. His lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw clenched. For just a second, regret flashed across his eyes.

Shirley had told him. Right after the car accident, she'd told him.

But he hadn't believed her. He thought she was just being dramatic.

Back then, even if Shirley cut her finger slicing fruit, she'd cry until he spoon-fed her, clinging to him as if he was the only safe place in the world.

But now?

Looking at her calm, distant stare sent a cold shiver through him. It felt as if someone was scraping his heart raw with a dull blade. The guilt swelling inside him almost choked him. His fists curled tight, veins straining against his skin.

"I'm sorry. I…"

Matthew paused, then his voice turned cold.

"Doctor, come check her. Now!"

Right after he spoke, Astrid strolled over, walking just fine, no help needed.

"Shirley, what happened to you? Is that antiseptic on your leg? That looks almost too much!"

The hospital director and a group of doctors were about to rush forward, but Shirley yanked her dress and stood up.

"No need to check on me. I'm fine."

She started to leave, but Matthew caught her wrist, his warm hand wrapping around hers. His dark eyes were steady, almost patient.

"Just let them check. Please. Otherwise, I'll worry."

Shirley pulled her hand free; her lips curved in a smile, but her voice was icy.

"Oh, so if you're worried, I'm supposed to do whatever you say? Where were you earlier? Oh, right—busy taking someone else to the hospital!"

Matthew's sharp features were shadowed, his usually careless, cocky eyes suddenly dark.

In their three years of marriage, his tongue had always been sharp, his words cutting like venom, never backing down. But now he stayed silent, his chest tight and heavy, as if the air itself was weighing him down.

"Astrid fainted. Tony had something urgent, so he asked me to take her to the hospital."

Shirley sneered and scanned him from head to toe. "Tony has stuff during the day, and you cover for him. What if he's busy at night, huh? You gonna sleep with her for him as well?"

The hospital went dead silent. The director and the doctors froze, eyes wide.

Secrets this scandalous in a wealthy family were like blood in the water—shocking, but no one dared say a word.

Matthew's gaze flared hot, his brows drawn tight.

"Shirley!" His voice was ice. "Do you have no sense of boundaries?"

In their world, one whiff of scandal could ruin everything.

But Shirley didn't care anymore. If they dared to do it, she dared to say it. She wasn't the one who should be ashamed.

Meeting Matthew's glare head-on, she lifted her chin, her lips curved coldly.

"Do YOU have no sense of boundaries?"

She threw his words right back at him.

She looked calm, but inside, she felt as if she were splintering apart. It took everything for her to hold herself together, to not lose it completely.

Matthew stared at her, the standoff dragging heavy in the air. No one dared speak.

Right then, Astrid swayed, hand to her forehead, as if she might faint. She leaned weakly against Matthew.

"Shirley, how could you say that to me? My head…spinning… I think I'm gonna…"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, she collapsed right into Matthew's arms.

Matthew's face twisted, his arms stiff around her as if she burned. He turned toward the doctors.

"Doctor—"

"Wait!"

Out of nowhere, Noelle shoved her way through the crowd. A second later, she dumped an entire basin of cold water over Astrid and Matthew.

"Ahhh!"

Astrid shot up, gasping and shivering like crazy. She looked furious, but too shocked to say anything.

Noelle clicked her tongue.

"Wow, look at me, miracle worker of the year! Ms. Dittman's not dizzy anymore! Guess I'm better than any doctor, huh? If you really wanna thank me, you can just write me a check."

Astrid's face turned green with rage, hugging herself against the dripping cold. She looked to Matthew for backup.

But he wasn't much better off, with water dripping from his hair and face. He didn't yell. He just wiped at his cheek and glanced at Astrid.

Under his stare, she faltered, eyes darting away. Suddenly, her eyes were filled with tears.

"Shirley, your friend did this on purpose, didn't she?"

Shirley arched a brow, smirking.

"Yep, she did." She paused, then added, "She was trying to save you. She's just that kind of person, always ready to help."

Astrid seemed about to pick a fight. "She clearly—"

But Matthew cut her off. "Enough. You're fine; that's all that matters."

He turned to the doctors. "Take her to change clothes and run a quick checkup."

"Will do."

It was obvious he was siding with Astrid, but her dignity had already taken a hit. She spun on her heel and stormed off.

Noelle wasn't done. She whistled and called after her, grinning.

"Next time you feel faint, just dunk your head in cold water and save the doctors the trouble! Stop wasting medical resources. Death doesn't care how rich you are. Having money doesn't make you special."

That one hit home with the crowd. People looked satisfied.

Shirley had never doubted Noelle's fire. She was the type who once chewed out a sleazy film producer so badly that he gave her better roles just to get her off his back.

Now Noelle's eyes slid to Matthew, sweeping him up and down.

"Mr. Ray, sorry, but why are you still standing here? Shouldn't you be chasing after your old flame?"

Water clung to Matthew's temples, his messy hair barely hiding the sharp lines of his face. Even soaked, he looked far from a mess, his expression careless but edged with arrogance.

He didn't snap at Noelle, but that didn't mean he was okay with this. He let Noelle off for Shirley's sake, shooting her a warning glance.

"Ms. Martin, maybe head out now. Otherwise, I'd hate for the press to find out about you sneaking around with actors after hours."

Noelle froze, her smile cracking. She believed him. Doing such a despicable thing was right on brand for him.

She cleared her throat and shot Shirley a look. "I'm leaving. Don't you dare forgive him!"

As she walked out, she spat over her shoulder, "Jerk."

Shirley glared at Matthew and moved to follow. But before she could, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her straight to the VIP exam room.

She struggled. "Put me down!"

"Easy," Matthew murmured, soft but firm. "As soon as the doctor checks you, I'll let go."

The doctors gathered around. Matthew didn't set her down. He kept her in his lap, holding her tight, his warmth seeping through the fabric into her skin.

It was a position they had been in before, when things were good. Back then, it felt intimate. Now, it just felt wrong.

Matthew held Shirley's shoulders, his other hand covering her eyes. His voice was low and controlled, almost coaxing.

"Don't look if it scares you."

He held her like he used to, full of guilt and tenderness.

The doctors cleaned her wound and reapplied medicine. Pain shot through her leg again, sharp as glass, and she clenched her teeth.

Her head dropped against his shoulder, her body trembling like a trapped bird. His scent was steady, cool, and achingly familiar.

Her eyes burned, filling with tears she didn't want to shed. Her chest squeezed tight with hurt she couldn't swallow.

Why? Why did he fall for Astrid after ending things with her?

Shirley's anger broke loose.

She bit his neck hard, not stopping until she tasted blood.