Chapter 21: As Charming as a Young Maiden

Ursula woke up with the sun, eager to whip up a homemade breakfast. She crafted steamed buns and rich, aromatic rice porridge, paired with hearty, farm-style sides, it’s a feast that would make any city café envious.

The day was too beautiful for Dylan to stay indoors. After breakfast, she went upstairs and put on a skirt and a charming linen sunhat, her smile was as radiant as the morning sun, exuding a confident allure that Ursula secretly admired.

Ursula often envied Dylan's zest for life, her fearless pursuit of her desires. In contrast, Ursula was more reserved, her feelings a quiet undercurrent, her love a silent stream.

Caught staring at Dylan, Ursula was startled when Timothy sidled up, his eyes alight with affection. "You outshine Dylan any day," he whispered, "Your beauty caught my attention from the start."

His words sent a blush to her cheeks. She nibbled her lip, unaware that a distant observer’s mood soured at the gesture.

Later, at Timothy's behest, Ursula dressed in a flowing, light blue gown that hugged her figure and highlighted her youthful glow.

"Wow, Ursula, you're stunning!" Dylan exclaimed, and even envy her somehow. "Dressed up, you might even eclipse me, but thankfully, Matthew only has eyes for me."

Ursula's smile wavered, her attention drawn away from the lingering, intense gaze in the distance.

In a peach orchard as vast as two basketball courts, the trees were heavy with ripe fruit. Dylan, basket in hand, eagerly dragged Matthew off to pick peaches.

Ursula and Timothy made a team of their own. She snipped the choicest fruits, relying on Timothy's reach for the high ones. His humor kept her laughing, the air between them light and easy.

"These peaches are enormous," Ursula remarked, stretching to clip a particularly large one. But when she turned to drop it in her basket, Timothy was gone.

"Timothy?" she called, retracing her steps. She found no sign of him and was about to shout again, when a hand suddenly clamped over her mouth, her heart started racing .

Regaining her bearings, Ursula found herself pinned against a peach tree by Matthew, whose intense gaze sent a shiver down her spine. She bit her lip in fear, unable to speak.

"Why are you biting your lip like that ?" Matthew's voice was edged with annoyance as he gently pressed his thumb against her lips.

Confused, Ursula's eyes searched his. What was wrong with biting her lip?

But before she could ponder further, Matthew's lips claimed hers, a kiss so insistent that resistance seemed futile.

Ursula's attempts to push him away only deepened his fervor. As footsteps neared, panic set in. She didn't want Dylan, or anyone, to witness this unseemly moment. Her eyes pleaded for Matthew to stop, but he was relentless, sealing her pleas with his kiss.