Chapter 37
Matilda pulled back the curtain a little and peeked outside-the other buildings were all lit up.
She thought about asking property management to bring her some water, but she was still covered in sticky soap bubbles and didn’t want to get dressed yet.
Wrapping herself in a bathrobe, she walked to the balcony and looked up toward Allen’s place.
Only one light was on in his house-it looked like no one was home.
Since there were only two households in this building, if Allen wasn’t around, she figured she could borrow his guest bathroom.
Matilda called him and asked, “Are you home?”
“Not right now. What’s up?” Allen answered.
“My water and electricity just went out. I want to use your guest bathroom,” she said.
“The password is 1107. Go ahead. I’ll have property management check on your place,” Allen replied.
“Thanks.” After hanging up, Matilda repeated the numbers 1107 to herself.
She was sure that set of numbers had some special meaning for Allen. Maybe it was Jolene’s mom’s birthday.
Matilda shook her head. That wasn’t something she should be thinking about.
She went back to her room, grabbed a clean set of loungewear, and headed up the stairs to Allen’s apartment.
After entering the password, the lock clicked open. The smart home system booted up, and the lights slowly came on.
She went straight to the guest bathroom, rinsed off in five minutes, and came out.
She put her bathrobe in a bag, tidied up the bathroom, and even picked up the strands of hair on the floor before tossing them in the trash.
Just as she was about to leave, Allen and Jolene came back.
Allen carried a bag of meat and vegetables in one hand and seasonal fruit in the other. “Jolene wants a late-night snack. Want to join us?”
“I should go check what’s wrong with my water and electricity,” Matilda said.
Jolene grabbed her clothes. “Matilda, stay! Once you try my dad’s steak, you’ll never forget it.”
“Won’t that make me gain weight?” Matilda teased.
Jolene shook her head seriously. “No, no. Do I look fat to you?”
She spun around like a little fairy casting magic, the hem of her skirt floating up.
Just then, the property manager called to tell Matilda there had been a small wiring problem, but it was already fixed.
Matilda put away her phone and looked down at Jolene’s eager little face. “Alright then, I’ll trouble your dad to cook for us.”
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Happy to, Allen said with a smile before heading quickly to the kitchen.
Jolene pulled Matilda down onto the carpet in front of the sofa, grinning.
Matilda felt a little guilty-she had just showered at Allen’s place and was now about to eat their food.
To make up for it, she called toward the kitchen, “Dr. Saunders, I know a great restaurant-Hearty Soups. I’ll treat you
sometime.”
Allen, rolling up his sleeves, looked over. “And when exactly is sometime?”
Matilda froze. “You pick. Anytime’s fine.”
Allen raised his brows, then went to wash his hands and marinate the steak.
Jolene showed Matilda the photos she’d taken that day. “A coach taught us horseback riding and archery today. Lola is so good at everything. Look, I even took a picture of her.”
Lola’s horseback riding and archery had been taught by Brandon.
Brandon spoiled her-whenever Lola acted cute and said she was tired, he’d let her skip practice. So whatever she learned, she only knew the basics.
In the photo, Lola’s chin was tilted proudly, as always. Matilda asked, “Did she apologize to you today?”
Jolene nodded. “She did.”
“Really?” Matilda sounded doubtful.
Daniel had once told Lola that princesses didn’t need to apologize, and Lola had believed it.
Matilda had tried to teach her more than once that real princesses would never hurt others.
But Lola wouldn’t listen. She’d even argued back. “Mommy, you grew up in a small town, and you’re not a princess. How would you know what they’re like?”
Her tone had been exactly like her grandmother Kathy’s, and Matilda had almost lost her temper.
Jolene hesitated but still nodded.
In truth, Lola hadn’t apologized. She’d even said, all self-righteous, “The camera was bought by my mom. Even if I broke it, I only broke something from my own family.”
Jolene had fired back right away. “You don’t even understand what property rights are. You’re unreasonable and don’t act like Matilda’s daughter at all.”
Then Lola cried and ran to the teacher.
The teacher made Jolene apologize, and she did. After all, her dad had said that teaching her to fight with her own daughter must make Matilda feel sad.
But Matilda had also said she preferred kids who were brave enough to defend themselves.
So after apologizing, Jolene had warned Lola when no one else was around, “Don’t mess with me again, or I won’t go easy on you.”
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Chapter 87
Soon, the smell of butter-fried steak filled the air, making Matilda instantly hungry.
With shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables as the base, the sliced steak was laid neatly on top.
It was seasoned with parsley, garlic, and salt, then drizzled evenly with mushroom sauce. It looked perfect.
Allen didn’t cat. He sat next to them, squeezing fresh orange juice instead.
Wanting him to taste his own cooking, Matilda grabbed a clean fork, speared a piece of steak, and held it to his lips.
Allen’s eyes lit up, his joy hard to hide.
His lips parted, but his gaze stayed locked on her as he bit into the juicy meat. The rich flavor lingered on his tongue, leaving him wanting more.
After a glass of orange juice, Matilda felt a little full. She wanted to clean the kitchen so she could move around.
Allen stopped her. “You just showered. Don’t get your clothes dirty.”
Then he went to clean up. The open kitchen let Matilda clearly see Allen slip off his wristwatch.
Because she had given it to him, she felt a certain attachment to it.
She watched him place it gently into a storage box, as if he were handling something precious. It made her feel like she, too, was being cherished.
Allen loaded the dishwasher, then wiped down the counter and sink. The warm light traced his sharp features, and his wheat-colored skin glowed under it.
As she watched him like this, all the resentment and frustration in Matilda’s heart seemed to ease. He had a quiet gentleness that could calm anyone.
Matilda looked away, shoved her hands in her pockets, and wandered casually around the living room. Her eyes landed on a photograph.
In it, Allen looked about twenty, no glasses, his features clean and handsome. His hand rested on the shoulder of the girl beside him.
The girl had delicate features, waist-length hair, and gentle eyes.
Matilda recognized her right away-the doctor who had once saved her life: Edwina.
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