Semua Bab A Thousand Second Chances: Bab 21 - Bab 30

When they were in bed, things between them always felt effortless, almost as if they were perfectly in sync. That harmony gave Shirley the illusion that she was the only one who could make Matthew lose control.But no—that was just because she had never actually seen him with someone else. The thought of him with Astrid made her chest tighten every single time.It started as suspicion, then turned into doubt, then resistance, and finally something deeper—disgust, the kind that made her sick just thinking about it.Her stomach twisted. She clapped a hand over her mouth and bolted for the bathroom, where she leaned over the sink and threw up.Matthew snapped out of his haze, his face shifting from dark to confused, then stunned—and then, ridiculously, hopeful.He slipped on his slippers and followed her to the bathroom, rubbing her back carefully. His voice was nervous but gentle. "Are you…pregnant?"Shirley froze. She shoved his hand away and glared at him, her eyes sharp. "Wow, y

Howard answered right away. "Just like you told me, the car's under Mrs. Ray's name.""That's more like it."Matthew hung up, then went to change into a fresh outfit.But even by 9 PM, his phone still hadn't buzzed.His expression turned icy as he called Howard again. "Find out where Shirley is right now."Normally, Howard wouldn't know something like that. But tonight, he did.Howard hesitated. "Sh-she's out on a date."He couldn't see clearly from the street, but there was no mistaking it—the person with her was a guy.Matthew's face darkened in an instant. Anger tore through him, his chest rising and falling hard. "Give me the address."-Shirley was at a little bistro near Ray Corporation, waiting for Tony.They had set a time, but Tony got pulled into a meeting, and she had gotten too hungry to wait. She went ahead and ordered something small. When Tony finally showed up, he grabbed the check while picking up the suit coat she had brought him.Shirley smiled awkwardly.

After Tony left, Matthew's anger just…vanished.He realized he had been way too worked up, letting rage cloud his head completely. He hadn't even noticed the lighter.Now he was smirking, sliding into the booth right next to her as if nothing had happened, arm slung around her shoulders."So it's Tony? Guess he's almost like your brother. Why didn't you just tell me earlier? I thought—"She cut him off. "Thought what?"Thought she was fooling around with another man, like he was with Astrid?He just laughed. "Nothing."Matthew leaned back, grabbed a few leftover fries from the plate, and popped them into his mouth. Then he tried to smooth things over, smiling as he coaxed her."Babe, I've been thinking about myself, okay? I get it now. I was wrong. From now on, I'll do whatever you say. Deal?"Shirley turned her face away, cold and quiet. Her chest felt tight in a way she couldn't even explain. The sweeter he acted, the more it hurt. Honestly, it was pathetic.He squeezed h

Matthew's face darkened, but he didn't say a word.Shirley, on the other hand, curved her lips into a smile. Astrid really couldn't hold it in, could she? Not even one night had passed before she broke.What about Shirley's three years of biting her tongue? Did that make her a superhuman?Matthew's tone was sharp and cold. "You can doubt Tony all you want, but don't drag Shirley into this."Astrid hesitated, then rushed to explain. "I'm not saying they cheated. It's just… Maybe Shirley's still upset about what happened last time, so she made a fake account and posted a picture of Tony's stuff. If she's trying to get back at me, fine. But I'm worried she'll do something reckless that could embarrass the Rays. If you don't believe me, check her phone when she's not looking. You'll definitely find proof."Astrid never imagined Shirley could hear her. That was why she pushed Matthew to snoop through Shirley's phone—just like the time Shirley had suddenly grabbed hers before she ha

Matthew's face, tight with anger just moments ago, suddenly softened. He pressed his lips together, brushed a hand over his cheek, and raised an eyebrow with a light laugh. "Totally innocent here."Before Shirley could react, he leaned down, kissed her forehead, and slipped out. "Get up. I made breakfast."Shirley calmed herself down before slowly heading downstairs to wash up and change.Sunlight poured through the windows, coating the whole house in a golden glow. Normally, mornings like this were her favorite—simple, warm, and full of quiet happiness. But today, she couldn't feel any of it.Instead, a heavy, powerless feeling wrapped around her, leaving her both lost and painfully alone.Matthew was in the kitchen, moving back and forth between the stove and the dining table. He'd made pancakes and scrambled eggs."Come on. Sit down and try your husband's cooking. Don't you think I'm getting better?" he teased, waving her over.Shirley pressed her lips together, avoiding