Chapter 43
At Vansen Restaurant, Tessa sat by the window waiting for Matilda. Her long hair framed her face, falling smoothly on both sides. She wore a simple white dress with tiny green patterns embroidered on the sleeves.
She had made it herself from fabric. Before marrying Zack, she used to run a small studio.
But after her grandfather arranged her marriage, Zack’s mother decided it would be shameful if people knew her daughter- in-law worked as a seamstress. So Tessa was forced to give it up.
Tessa never fought back. She knew she was different from other people. She had no talent, no powerful family behind her, and no one she could rely on.
Through the glass, Matilda spotted Tessa as soon as she got out of the taxi.
She waved, walked in, and sat down across from Tessa.
It was the first time Tessa had seen Matilda in bright sportswear, and she was struck by how stunning she looked. “So beautiful. What were you doing?”
Matilda took a sip of lemonade before answering, “I was taking a little girl to a parent-child event.”
While they ate, Matilda told Tessa everything that had happened, start to finish. Her tone was calm the whole time, almost like she was telling a fairy tale.
Tessa had a weak stomach. When Matilda mentioned Brandon and Shelby kissing in public for a full minute, she felt so disgusted she couldn’t eat another bite.
“If anyone ever says again that Brandon’s a devoted husband, I’ll fight them!” she said.
It was the harshest thing Tessa had ever said. Her smooth skin flushed red with anger.
She couldn’t understand who had started calling Brandon devoted. The label was laughable.
From the outside, she saw things clearly. Aside from not chasing other women, Brandon wasn’t even a decent husband.
He was cold and proud, never lowering himself to take care of anyone.
There had been one time when Matilda was injured, and he left work to check on her at the hospital-but he just hired two nurses to look after her. He wouldn’t even pour her a glass of water himself.
Matilda set down her fork and smiled at Tessa. “You don’t need to fight them. Sooner or later, I’ll make both him and Shelby pay.”
“I really hope that day comes soon.” Tessa wanted nothing more than to see Matilda hold her head high with pride.
She remembered the Dr. Saunders Matilda had mentioned-the one who had beaten Brandon at horseback riding, archery, and tennis. He seemed like someone who could actually help Matilda.
“Who is Dr. Saunders? How come you never mentioned him before?” Tessa asked.
Matilda kept it simple. “I met him at Domburgh Cemetery. Later, he helped with Kathy’s surgery, and we got to know each other better. He’s my neighbor now-and my lifesaver’s husband.”
“He’s Dr. Fischer’s husband, huh? Then is his background even stronger than Brandon’s?” Tessa asked hopefully.
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If Allen’s background was stronger than Brandon’s, Matilda would finally have someone powerful behind her.
But Matilda’s reply let her down. “Dr. Saunders lived in Grivoria for over ten years. In Grivoria, horseback riding and archery are just everyday sports.”
Tessa’s hope fell flat. She sighed, “Fine.”
She knew the truth-there weren’t many saviors in this world. They always had to save themselves.
Matilda put down her lemonade and said, “I’m happy today. Let’s order a bottle of wine and celebrate.”
Tessa searched Matilda’s calm, beautiful face for some sign of happiness, but she didn’t see any.
Her heart ached. “Matilda, after your divorce, will you dare to love someone else?”
Matilda went quiet for a moment, then looked her in the eyes. “Who knows about love-I can’t stop my heart from feeling, but I can stop myself from stepping into marriage again.”
Brandon left Greenapple Kids and headed straight to his office without even catching his breath. Work was waiting.
Looking at the mountain of files on his desk, plus Greg hounding him about the research center meeting, he suddenly Found himself missing Matilda. If she had been there, none of this would have been his problem.
As he got out of his car and walked toward the lobby, Zack’s car pulled into the driveway. The two met in the garden and
alked for a bit.
“You’re overthinking this, Brandon,” Zack said. “That Allen guy-I checked him out again. Nothing special.
“He’s lived in Grivoria for more than ten years. Of course, he can ride horses and shoot arrows. That’s as normal there as kids here knowing how to play basketball.”
Brandon didn’t agree. “If he’s just an ordinary guy, how could he find Shelby? And how could he help Dr. Fischer keep her records hidden from us so perfectly?”
Zack couldn’t figure it out either. “Allen and Edwina are both doctors. They know people. Maybe one of their friends is good at that kind of thing, right?”
Brandon didn’t answer. That wasn’t impossible. But Allen’s sudden appearance had slowed down his plan to make Matilda come crawling back.
No one knew how long this delay would last-and there were only a little over ten days left before the divorce was finalized.
Zack seemed to read his thoughts. He clapped Brandon on the shoulder. “Relax. Tomorrow I’ll talk to Matilda and give her a little wake-up call. But Brandon, don’t get stuck on just one girl. There are plenty of fish in the sea.”
He motioned toward the garden path. The roses had stopped blooming and were replaced with other flowers in full summer bloom.
Shelby stood there, gazing at them, as if she had been waiting all along.
“I only see Shelby as family,” Brandon said. He was saying it to Zack, but also to himself.
Zack burst out laughing like he’d heard a joke. “You called her family and then kissed her in public today, huh? You’re such a scumbag.”
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Brandon frowned but couldn’t come up with a single word to refute him.
“Don’t be so uptight, Brandon. You’ve got the power and the means-you can make everyone happy. What’s the harm in that?” Zack patted his shoulder and called out, “Shelby, Brandon’s tired. Come over here and take care of him.”
Shelby answered, then watched Zack drive off before walking toward Brandon.
When she came closer, Brandon noticed her outfit. It was conservative, covering even her arms. The white cotton silk was light and flowing, but it couldn’t hide her curves. The way she walked carried its own kind of allure.
Brandon’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Ever since the Serenity Group private dinner party, he hadn’t been able to see Shelby as just a child or a little sister. Her body was all grown up now.
Before Matilda left, work had already kept them from being intimate as husband and wife for a long time.
After going without for so long, once desire stirred, it was impossible to hold back. Heat rushed recklessly through his body.
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AD
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