Chapter 6

The light in the room hit Matthew's face just right, making his sharp features look even colder, as if they had been carved out of shadow.

The warmth in his eyes faded, leaving only a dark, bottomless intensity that felt almost suffocating.

The silence in the room swallowed every bit of sound. His emotions seemed caught in his throat, and for a split second, something uncertain flickered across his face.

But it was gone as fast as it came.

He smoothed her hair with his hand, his voice low and rough.

"Don't say stuff you don't mean. Do you remember what you told me when you asked me to marry you?"

Back then, Shirley's love had been blazing hot, wild, and unstoppable. She stood in front of him in her wedding dress, smiling her brightest.

"Matthew, let's get married! I'll always be yours, in this lifetime and the next. I only love you. The only way we'll part is if one of us dies, never by divorce."

Her younger, hopeful voice still rang in her ears. For a second, even Shirley froze at the memory. Her pale face stayed calm as her eyes turned faintly red.

"I forgot."

Matthew's face twitched, then hardened. He grabbed her chin and kissed her hard—it was fierce and consuming, leaving her breathless. His gaze was dark as midnight, but when he pulled back, she didn't react at all or say anything. He only noticed her eyes getting redder.

Her silence hollowed him out inside, leaving him with this strange, heavy emptiness.

He steadied his breathing, turned away, and started cleaning up. "Get some rest. I took a few days off. I'll be here with you."

Divorce? No way! She must've just been angry! She couldn't really mean it. She loved him too much.

She used to complain about bad snacks to him and share things she liked with him. It was as if they really understood each other. They fit together so well.

This was just like high school all over again—her throwing tantrums, him putting up with it, and eventually her apologizing with that stubborn little smile. She was spoiled because of him, and he didn't regret it. What else could he do besides give in?

Later, after tidying up the kitchen, Matthew peeked in on her. She was already asleep, her breathing slow and steady. That was when he slipped out to handle company business.

Ray Enterprises belonged to Tony, and Matthew had never been meant to compete with him. He was the younger brother, the one raised to live off the family name, as long as he never threatened Tony's position.

But then Shirley came into his life, and he suddenly realized he couldn't be reckless anymore. He had to support his family.

He started building his own empire—banks, investments, new ventures. Money kept coming in, and in just a few years, he'd grown even faster than Tony and climbed into the top ranks of the country's richest men.

Still, due to the Rays' strong background, Tony's position was more rooted and recognized. But Matthew didn't care.

When Matthew stepped outside, his assistant Howard Gildon and the others were already waiting. He slid into the car, rubbing his temple.

"Are you done investigating?"

Howard handed over a folder. "Yes, sir. Yesterday's accident wasn't an accident. The driver pretended to be drunk, but it was staged. A few days before, someone transferred 60 thousand into his mother's account. Someone paid him off."

Matthew's face darkened. "Sixty grand."

Sixty grand was all it took for someone to try and take Shirley's life?

He didn't say more, but the air in the car dropped cold, pressing on everyone.

Howard hesitated, then added, "The transfer didn't come from anyone connected to us. Someone used a shell account. We'll need more time."

"Three days," Matthew said flatly. "Find out who."

A sharp glint flashed in his dark gaze.

Anyone who came after his woman clearly had a death wish.

When Matthew settled things at work and returned home, Shirley was waking up. The curtains blocked out most of the light, and it took her a while to adjust before she realized he was sitting at the foot of the bed, staring at her leg.

She blinked, pulling the blanket over herself. "Are you some kind of creep?"

He smirked slowly. "Not like it's the first time I've seen you. I'm just making sure you don't bump your wound while you're asleep."

"Please. Don't cover your creepiness with excuses."

"Fine, I'm a creep. I just like looking at your legs. Happy now?" He stretched lazily, hair falling into his face, then stood and told her, "Be careful. Don't get the bandages wet."

When Shirley glanced at her wounds, she realized they weren't as painful as before and were almost scabbed. She was about to get up to wash when her eyes caught two suitcases by the bed. She froze.

From the bathroom, Matthew leaned out, proud of himself. "You kept saying you wanted to visit Lakeburn City. I'll take you these next few days. Think of it as a little trip to clear your head. If you don't think it's enough and wanna go overseas, we'll do that next time."

She had mentioned how beautiful Lakeburn City was, but he had been too busy to travel.

Matthew thought Shirley would be thrilled at the news. Instead, she just looked at him calmly, her long hair falling like silk over her shoulders, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.

"I already went to Lakeburn City."

Matthew's hands stilled. "When?"

Her voice didn't waver. "Last month. While you were in Fruncia with Astrid, helping her pick out wedding dresses."

She had begged him to travel with her for ages, but he always claimed he was too busy. Yet for Astrid, he had cleared his schedule.

Men really were ridiculous, always chasing after more while convinced they were covering their tracks.

The air between them thickened. Matthew's mind flashed back to Shirley bringing up divorce the night before; suddenly, panic clawed at him.

He pursed his parched lips, his voice low and hoarse. "Tony had an emergency. And I had business there anyway—"

He hadn't even noticed how much she had changed during that time.

"You don't have to explain," she said evenly. "You always have your reasons. If I call you out, I'm just being unreasonable. But you should really think about what I said yesterday."

The word "divorce" felt like poison to Matthew. His chest tightened, as if someone had tied a rope around his lungs.

"Fine. If not Lakeburn City, then anywhere you want. Just pick a place, and we'll go."

He knew she loved spontaneous trips.

But Shirley turned and went to the bathroom outside. "I don't want to go anywhere. My leg hurts, and I'm not in the mood."

Late concern didn't mean much anymore.

The tension between them stretched thin.

Luckily, Clifford called right at that moment.

"Hey, it's my birthday! If you don't show up, I'll be pissed."

"I can't. I'm home with my wife."

"Then bring her! I haven't seen Shirley in forever."

Matthew frowned and glanced at her. "Wanna go?"

"Sure."

Why not? Anywhere was better than being trapped here with him.

Clifford had been their classmate, had seen their silly high-school love story firsthand.

Shirley wore a simple long dress, casual and relaxed. She hadn't put much effort into getting ready.

But Matthew, for some reason, went all out with a polished suit and tie, every detail sharp. His tall frame looked perfect, his features refined, almost intimidating.

He rarely dressed like this. The last time had been at Tony's wedding.

Shirley tapped her foot, impatient. "What's taking so long?"

Behind her, he was still fiddling with his tie in the mirror.

"Show-off," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.