chapter 2. At Least, That’s What I Thought ⭐

The moment Matilda left the hotel with Anna, she could no longer hold back her tears.

She cried silently at first, but the more she thought about what she had seen, the harder it became to control herself. Anna wrapped an arm around her and stayed by her side until they got home.

When they arrived at Matilda's house, she quickly wiped her face and took a deep breath.

"Anna..." she said softly.

Anna looked at her.

"Please promise me you won't tell anyone what happened today. Especially my mum."

Anna sighed and nodded.

"I promise. But Matilda, you have to stop wasting your tears on that jerk. He doesn't deserve you or your tears."

Matilda's lips trembled as she tried to hold herself together.

"I just can't believe he did this to me."

Anna pulled her into a tight hug.

"You're going to be okay. I promise."

After a few moments, they pulled apart, and Anna headed home.

Matilda stood outside for a while, taking deep breaths before finally walking inside.

She quickly wiped her face again and forced a smile.

Her mum was in the kitchen, busy preparing something.

"You're back already?" her mum asked.

Matilda froze for a second.

She didn't want her mother to see her crying.

"I'm fine, Mum," she replied, forcing a smile.

But deep down, she knew she was anything but fine.

Matilda went straight to her room and locked the door behind her.

She leaned against the door and closed her eyes, trying desperately not to cry. But the tears came anyway.

She quickly walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She stood under the water for a long time, hoping it would somehow wash away the pain and the images she had seen at the hotel.

She stayed in the bathroom until she finally felt calm enough to come out.

After drying herself, she changed into her pajamas and sat on the edge of her bed.

She picked up her phone.

The moment she unlocked it, her eyes widened.

There were several missed calls from Luke.

And countless messages.

Her heart tightened as she stared at his name on the screen.

He had been calling her nonstop.

For a moment, she wondered if she should read his messages.

Then she remembered what she had seen at the hotel.

Her eyes filled with tears again.

"Why are you still calling me?" she whispered.

Her thumb hovered over his name.

She didn't know whether to block him, ignore him, or finally give him the chance to explain himself.

After staring at Luke's name for a few more seconds, I finally made up my mind.

I wasn't going to answer his calls.

I blocked his number and dropped my phone on the bed.

I wiped my tears and took a deep breath.

"No more crying," I whispered to myself. "I'm done."

A few minutes later, I went downstairs to have dinner with Mum. I forced a smile on my face and pretended like nothing had happened.

Mum looked at me carefully.

"You seem quiet tonight. Are you okay?"

I quickly nodded.

"I'm fine, Mum. Just tired from school."

I picked up my spoon and started eating.

I refused to let myself think about Luke anymore.

He had made his choice.

He chose Lucy.

And I had to accept it.

Maybe I had spent too much time making Luke the center of my life. From today, things were going to be different.

I was going to focus on myself.

My studies.

My future.

And most importantly, I was going to heal.

I didn't know how long it would take, but I promised myself one thing—I would never allow Luke to break me again.

Ryan's POV

I stared at my phone as I drove home from work.

Work had been really stressful, and all I wanted to do was get home, take a shower, and rest.

Then I frowned when I remembered Mum had invited me for dinner.

I don't live with my parents. I have my own house, and I prefer having my own space. I only come to the family house when there's something important or when Mum insists.

I sighed and looked at my driver.

"Please, turn around. Let's go to the family house."

"Yes, sir."

When I arrived, I walked into the house and immediately saw Mum waiting for me.

She smiled warmly.

"Ryan! You're finally here."

"Good evening, Mum."

She hugged me before letting go.

"It's been so long since you came home."

I smiled.

"I've been busy with work."

She shook her head and led me inside.

I looked around the familiar house. It had been a while since I'd been here.

I didn't know why, but something about Mum's invitation made me feel like tonight wasn't going to be an ordinary family dinner.

I saw Dad sitting in the living room, so I walked over and greeted him.

"Good evening, Dad."

"Good evening, son."

We sat around the dining table while the housemaid served dinner.

A few minutes later, I noticed Luke walking into the dining room.

He didn't look good at all. His face was gloomy, and he looked like someone who had just lost everything.

Honestly, I didn't care.

Luke and I had never been that close. He had always been jealous of me, and over the years, we'd grown even more distant.

He sat beside Mum, and she immediately noticed something was wrong.

"Luke, what's wrong? Why do you look so sad?"

He sighed.

"My girlfriend broke up with me."

Mum reached out and touched his shoulder.

"Don't worry, my son. You'll find another girlfriend."

Dad looked at him seriously.

"That isn't what I asked. What did you do to her?"

Luke suddenly became quiet.

He couldn't answer.

I leaned back in my chair.

I already knew what he had done.

Luke had always been a cheat. He never seemed to learn from his mistakes. No matter how many times he hurt someone, he'd apologize, promise to change, and then do the same thing again.

This time, though, I wondered who the girl was.

"Nothing, Dad. Just forget about it."

Dad stared at him for a few seconds before finally looking away.

I didn't say anything. I simply focused on my food.

Everyone decided to mind their own business, and soon the dining room became quiet again.

We continued eating our dinner in silence.

The conversation about marriage left an uncomfortable silence around the table.

I continued eating, but I could feel Mum watching me.

Then Luke suddenly pushed his chair back.

“I’m done.”

He stood up and walked away from the table.

Dad frowned.

“Luke.”

Luke stopped but didn’t turn around.

“What?”

“Come back here. We’re not finished talking.”

Luke sighed heavily before turning around.

“I said I’m fine, Dad. Can everyone just leave me alone?”

Dad stared at him.

“You come home looking miserable, your girlfriend breaks up with you, and you expect us not to ask questions?”

Luke clenched his jaw.

“I made a mistake. That's all.”

I looked at him carefully.

A mistake?

That sounded exactly like Luke.

He had always been good at making excuses whenever he got caught doing something wrong.

Mum's expression softened.

“Whatever happened, you can fix it. If you really love her, go and apologize.”

Luke looked down.

“She doesn't want me anymore.”

There was something in his voice that made me pause.

For the first time that evening, I felt slightly curious.

Whoever this girl was, Luke seemed genuinely affected by the breakup.

But knowing my brother, I wasn't going to feel sorry for him.

“You should give her some space,” I said.

Luke looked at me.

“You don't know anything about it.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Then why are you acting like the whole world is against you?”

His face hardened.

“Just stay out of it, Ryan.”

The table went silent.

Dad's expression immediately changed.

“Watch your tone.”

Luke looked away.

“Sorry.”

I leaned back in my chair and studied him.

Something was definitely bothering him.

But I wasn't interested in getting involved.

I had enough problems of my own.

After a few uncomfortable minutes, I finally pushed my chair back and stood.

“Mum, Dad, thanks for dinner. I really enjoyed it.”

Mum looked up at me.

“You're leaving already?”

“Yes. I have some important things to handle at home.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“Important things? At this hour?”

I chuckled.

“Nothing serious. I just have some work to finish.”

Mum sighed.

“You always have work.”

“I know.”

She shook her head.

“One day, Ryan, you're going to realize that work isn't everything.”

I knew exactly where this was going.

“Mum, please don't start again.”

She smiled.

“I'm just saying.”

I picked up my phone and car keys.

“I'll see you both soon.”

Dad nodded.

“Alright. Drive safely.”

“I will.”

I turned toward the door.

“Goodnight, Mum. Goodnight, Dad.”

“Goodnight, son.”

Just as I reached the door, Mum called my name.

“Ryan.”

I turned around.

She was looking at me with that familiar motherly expression.

“Think about what I said.”

I knew she wasn't talking about work.

I smiled faintly.

“I'll think about it.”

It was the easiest answer.

I walked out of the house and headed toward my car.

I told my driver take me home, I couldn't stop thinking about the strange atmosphere at dinner.

Luke was hiding something.

Mum wanted me to get married.

And somehow, I had a feeling that tonight wasn't going to be the last time I'd hear about either of them.

I shook my head and focused on the road.

Marriage was the last thing on my mind.