Chapter 2

Ophelia went back to the master bedroom, sat on the bed, and hugged her knees in a daze.

Matthew's words were like a needle, piercing deep into Ophelia's heart.

What exactly was the little secret he was talking about?

Could it be that Matthew was really hiding something from her? Was he really having an affair?

These questions troubled Ophelia, giving her a terrible headache.

Just then, the bedroom door opened, and Matthew walked in.

"Still awake?" His voice carried a hint of amusement as he asked while taking off his jacket, "How was it? Did the massage device feel good?"

"It was okay," Ophelia answered somewhat absentmindedly.

Matthew noticed the expression on her face, walked over, and crouched down in front of her, holding her hands and looking up at her: "Are you not feeling well? You don't look so good."

Ophelia lowered her eyes, looking at the hand he was holding, and stayed silent for a few seconds.

She didn't want to doubt Matthew, but once the seed of doubt was planted, she couldn't swallow it down or spit it out, which really troubled her.

"Matthew." She lifted her eyes to look at him, "Are you hiding something from me?"

Matthew's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly recovered his smile: "No. What are you talking about?"

"I heard everything just now." Ophelia bit her lip and said painfully, "You said you and Katya have a secret you won't tell me. Katya is only four years old. How could you make her lie?"

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

Matthew opened his mouth, then suddenly called out, putting on a look of sudden realization: "Oh, so that's what this is about."

His tone was both helpless and amused: "This afternoon, Katya accidentally broke a vase in the classroom at school. She was afraid you'd be angry, so she asked me to keep it from you."

Ophelia's fingers relaxed slightly.

Matthew reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, his tone gentle: "I felt sorry for Katya, so I agreed that it would be our little secret. What, are you jealous? Think Katya is closer to me now?"

Ophelia looked at him. His eyes were open and honest, his smile warm, no different from usual.

The doubt in her heart hadn't completely disappeared, but it was much better than before.

"Really?" she asked.

"Really." Matthew's expression was serious, "If you don't believe me, ask Lucy tomorrow. Would I lie to you?"

Ophelia lowered her eyes and thought for a moment.

This explanation made sense. Katya was indeed afraid of making her angry. Although she had never really lost her temper with Katya, Katya was naturally sensitive and would tear up if she was even slightly stern.

But she still felt something wasn't quite right.

She couldn't say what exactly was wrong; it was just a gut feeling.

To completely resolve this matter and prevent the seed of doubt from taking root, Ophelia picked up her phone from the nightstand and opened Katya's teacher, Lucy Kim's, contact.

Matthew immediately stopped her: "It's so late, isn't it a bit much to bother Lucy?"

Ophelia's finger paused.

She looked up at Matthew, her gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny: "What? Do you want to tip Lucy off first?"

Matthew froze for a moment, then showed a hurt expression: "Ophelia, what are you saying? I just think it's not good to disturb Lucy's rest so late. If you insist on thinking that way, then I can't help it."

Ophelia stared at him for a moment, but still felt it was better to clear things up sooner.

She lowered her head and typed a message: [Ms. Kim, sorry to bother you so late, but I wanted to ask if Katya broke a vase at kindergarten today?]

After sending the text, she stared at the screen and waited.

Matthew didn't say anything more, just leaned against the headboard and casually scrolled through his phone.

About a minute passed, and Lucy still hadn't replied.

Ophelia looked at the time again. It was almost ten at night, which was indeed quite late. Lucy might have already gone to bed.

"See, I told you it was too late. Lucy has already gone to bed." Matthew looked up, his tone gentle, "Why don't you ask tomorrow? It's not a big deal anyway."

Ophelia felt a bit reluctant. If she really waited until tomorrow, there would be too many variables.

What if Matthew secretly contacted Lucy while she was asleep, and they lied to her together?

And judging by how nervous Matthew looked just now, he must be hiding something from her!

Just as Ophelia was overthinking, her phone vibrated.

She looked down and saw Lucy's reply: [That's correct. During activity class this afternoon, Katya accidentally knocked over the classroom vase. But it's okay, children make mistakes. Katya's father already apologized to me, you don't need to worry about it.]

Ophelia stared at this message several times.

This reply was too perfect. It not only explained why Katya lied, but also conveniently provided proof that Matthew was there.

But then she thought about it—Lucy had no reason to deceive her, and in such a short time, with Matthew right beside her, he couldn't have tipped Lucy off.

Was she really overthinking this?

"See? I didn't lie to you, did I?" Matthew's voice came from beside her, carrying a hint of grievance, "Ophelia, you don't even trust me anymore."

Ophelia put down her phone and turned to look at Matthew.

"I'm sorry." She said softly, reaching out to tug at his sleeve, "I was too sensitive."

Matthew didn't respond immediately, deliberately turning his face away from her.

Ophelia tugged at his sleeve again, her voice even softer: "Matthew, I really know I was wrong."

Matthew glanced at her: "Is knowing you were wrong enough?"

Ophelia moved closer on her own, pressing her face against his shoulder, her voice soft: "Then what do you want?"

Matthew didn't answer, just reached out to hold her waist, his palm gently rubbing her side twice.

He lowered his head, resting his chin on top of her head, his voice tender: "Ophelia, have you been too tired lately? I feel like you've been preoccupied and overthinking things."

Ophelia didn't speak.

Being constantly suspicious was indeed exhausting.

"Want me to comfort you?" Matthew's voice dropped very low, carrying a hint of intimacy.

"How will you comfort me?" Ophelia deliberately tried to keep a straight face, but her voice unconsciously softened.

Matthew didn't answer. Instead, he cupped her face, lowered his head, and kissed her lips.

His kiss was very light and gentle. Ophelia closed her eyes, enjoying it.

That night, Matthew was very vigorous when making love.

Ophelia was worn out by him until her whole body went soft, and she finally fell asleep, practically limp in his arms.

The next morning, when Ophelia woke up, Katya had already been taken to kindergarten by Matthew.

She picked up her phone and found more than a dozen missed calls from Scarlett, along with a message:

[Ophelia, where are you? I just saw your husband at the hotel entrance again!]