Chapter 345

Matthew’s expression softened, almost like a father looking at his child. “To me, you’ll always be that little girl. But listen, being serious and stubborn is great for work, not so much for life.”

I understood his meaning, but people don't change overnight. We are who we are.

“Rea, sometimes not knowing everything brings a little happiness. You don’t have to figure it all out, you know?” His words were gentle, almost fatherly.

Seeing the worry in his eyes, and thinking of his illness, I nodded, though deep down I still clung to my beliefs.

“Rea,” Matthew said softly.

“Yeah?”

He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s something. You’ve definitely got something on your mind,” I pressed, sensing he was holding back.

Matthew chuckled. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”

“Why hide it? Whatever secret you have that you can’t tell Lindey or Wayne, you can tell me. I’ll keep it locked up. I promise.” I raised my hand, as if swearing an oath.

He laughed, amused. “I don’t have any secrets.”

Thinking back to what happened earlier on the lawn with Thorsten, Sasha, and their daughter, I couldn’t resist. “What if it’s something like… I don’t know, a secret family?”

Matthew nearly choked. “What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t have anything like that.”

“Really? Nothing?” I tilted my head, feigning suspicion.

“Really, nothing,” he said, shaking his head firmly.

“Well, your best friend does, doesn’t he? They say you’re influenced by the company you keep…” I trailed off, teasing.

Matthew looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected me to know. I didn’t keep him in suspense. “I played with his daughter earlier on the lawn. She’s sweet.”

Matthew sighed. “People are different. Just because Thorsten’s my friend doesn’t mean I agree with everything he does. I’m not like him.”

Seeing how serious he’d become, I smiled. “Relax, I was just kidding. I know you and Lindey are solid. You’d never hurt her.”

He gazed at the blank white wall, his voice low. “Rea, I’ve been meaning to tell you… my illness isn’t mild. It might not be something I can beat. And if—if the day comes when I’m not here anymore, I want you to promise me something: don’t cry. Just… promise me you’ll keep your head up and keep going.”

A wave of sadness and fear constricted my chest. My eyes burned, and my throat felt tight. I gripped his arm tightly. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ll be fine. You have to be…”

Matthew rested his hand gently on my head. He said nothing more.

Neither did I. I simply stayed there, my head resting on the side of his bed, listening to his breathing.

At some point, I drifted off. When I woke, Matthew was still asleep, and his jacket was draped over me. I carefully replaced it over his blanket before quietly leaving the room.

As I stepped into the hall, my phone buzzed. The number was unfamiliar.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Is this the owner of Unit 402, Block 6, Willow Residences, Emberholm?”

“Yeah, that’s me. Who is this?”