All Chapters of A Thousand Second Chances: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

That car was a custom model—there were barely a few like it in the entire continent. Everyone knew he had bought it.If word got out that Shirley was trying to sell it, Matthew would never live it down."Stay out of my business, Matthew," Shirley shot back. "It's my car. I'll do whatever the hell I want with it!"Easy for him to say. Keeping it wasn't exactly free. She had to pay for storage, upkeep, and maintenance. Shirley started the engine and sped off toward the hospital.Matthew clutched the handle by the door so tightly that his knuckles went white, as if he thought it might fly open and throw him out at any second. His face was grim, but also worried."Slow down. Honestly, I'm not even that sick."The last thing he wanted was to die in a crash before even reaching the hospital.Shirley cut him a sideways glance, her expression dripping with sarcasm. "Rich people really are scared of dying. Guess that part's true.""I'm worried about you getting hurt," Matthew said qui

Shirley almost laughed. "Don't you feel bad? She's your darling ex. Shouldn't you be fussing over her right now, waiting on her hand and foot?"Matthew sighed and gave her hand a little squeeze. "What are you talking about? The one who should feel bad is my brother, not me."Shirley didn't buy it. How could someone let go that quickly?Back when she was asking Astrid for compensation when she was sick, his eyes had been full of guilt and pity.She jabbed at his weak spot anyway, determined to make him admit his hypocrisy. "Is it just because I'm here? You were actually worried about her, weren't you? You got mad just now because I dodged. If I hadn't moved, then she wouldn't have gotten hurt. You do care about her. I get it—you don't need to explain. To me, you just look guilty."Matthew went quiet for a few seconds, his eyes deep and unreadable. "You always say if you don't feel loved, then the love doesn't exist. That's my fault. I've neglected you way too much. But the truth

Matthew nodded eagerly.Shirley gave a satisfied smile. See? She never did anything for nothing.For the sake of the lounge, she would let it slide this time. It eased her guilt and made her money—two birds with one stone."Alright. If you need me, just ask."She sat back down on the couch and kept watching TV.Matthew was beyond touched. He grabbed his phone, handled a couple of urgent files, then sent a photo of instant mac and cheese to his group chat with Clifford and the others.Clifford wrote, [Are you planning to buy an instant mac and cheese company? Consumer goods are the future trend. Guess I should invest early!]Leon Hodgson chimed in, [I heard someone found a mouse head in one. Better be careful.]Clifford hissed, [Don't kill the mood! Can't you see Mr. Ray is teaching us the secret to making money?]Matthew typed with a smile, [Shirley made me this herself. It's a bowl full of love. Smells amazing!]Clifford and Leon sent an eye-rolling emoji.Matthew tagged bo

Matthew was still trying to think of what to say when Shirley set the food container down on the table."I made this just for you. Eat up."Matthew's eyes widened in disbelief, a spark of joy lighting them up as he carefully opened the container."Instant mac and cheese?""Yeah. Your favorite, right? I went back just to cook them for you. Too bad they got a little clumped. Maybe you should just forget it and eat the stuff Astrid brought instead."She reached out to take it back, but Matthew snatched it away."No way. Clumped mac and cheese is my favorite!"Truth was, his last meal had already been mac and cheese, and he didn't really have much of an appetite. But since Shirley had made them herself, he'd eat them even if it killed him.Astrid's fancy gourmet food sat untouched on the table while Matthew lowered his head and dug into the mac and cheese without hesitation.Shirley watched with cold eyes. Without a word, she turned and started to leave."Where are you going? Cou

"What's he doing here?"Matthew didn't believe for a second that Simon had come just to check in on him.Clifford shrugged. "He's got a project that ran out of money. He wants you to invest." Then he added, "But to be fair, he's not totally wrong. Shirley doesn't care about you the way she used to. Before you two even got married, she asked me what foods you liked. Said she wanted to cook for you herself someday."Matthew froze, then looked up. "She's always loved me so much. How could that change?"Clifford sighed. "She's done so much for you. What have you ever done for her? You just sit back and enjoy it. We're not in high school anymore. Back then, you could sulk, and she'd still come over smiling. She's not a robot—she gets hurt, too, you know."Matthew pressed his lips together, his expression dark and unreadable. "She won't forgive me and insists on divorcing me, but I can't just let Tony and Astrid split either. I really don't know what to do…"He ran a hand through h