Chapter 22: Gently Beguiled

The footsteps that had been drawing near suddenly paused and retreated, leaving Ursula alone with her racing heart.

Relief washed over her, but anger quickly followed. She glared at Matthew, her eyes were fiery with indignation.

Matthew responded with a fierce embrace. "You've got some nerves, Ursula!"

Catching her breath, Ursula's mind raced with what-ifs about Dylan's possible discovery of the scene.

Matthew, meanwhile, clung to her, taking comfort in her presence, his intentions momentarily unclear.

Then, he fumbled in his pocket, as if he was to reveal something, but Ursula cut in, "Matthew, I want five million."

His shock was palpable, but Ursula, though pale, held her ground. "Three years is a long time. For those years, I want five million."

Matthew's gaze darkened, his hand retreating into his pocket.

Ursula, undeterred, added, "Remember, I have videos of us. Without the money, Dylan gets them. Your move."

This ultimatum sent Matthew stepping back, his anger evident. "You'll have your five million," he spat out, before turning away and disappearing.

Once alone, Ursula sank to the ground, her body aching, her heart was heavier. She fought back tears, the weight of her demand for money weighing down on her.

She composed herself, walking away from the orchard, knowing her decision was irrevocable.

Emerging from the trees, she found Dylan, who was visibly annoyed. "Ursula, what took you so long? We've been waiting."

Ursula moved her eyes away from the familiar silhouette, feigning an apologetic tone, "Sorry, I got a bit turned around. Thanks for waiting."

Dylan was suspicious, noted her missing basket and mused on the strangeness of the day's disappearances.

Ursula offered a weak smile, her heart skipping a beat at his observation.

Timothy joined them, his concern was evident. "I shouldn't have wandered off." he said.

"It's not your fault," Ursula assured him, masking her turmoil with an excuse of restless sleep and a feigned smile, while inside, the guilt of her entanglement with Matthew, and its impact on Timothy gnawed at her.

Ursula resolved to distance herself from Matthew once she had the money, yet the thought sent an involuntary shiver through her heart.

Before Dylan could rib his friend, he noticed Matthew striding away. "Where are you off to?" he asked, a tinge of concern in his voice.

"I've got urgent business at the office," Matthew replied, his voice a detached calm.

Realizing Matthew had pressing matters, Dylan bid him a safe drive and promised to reconnect later that evening.

Ursula watched Matthew depart, feeling a cold void where he had been. She steeled herself, ready to bear any indignity for the promised money.

With Matthew gone, the mood soured. The trio headed back to Rural Retreat as a light rain began to fall, mirroring their inner disquiet.

Dylan, ever the assertive one, whisked Ursula away from Timothy for a private chat, leaving him with a casual apology.

In the privacy of their room, Dylan voiced her concerns. "Do you think Matthew's upset?"

Ursula feigned ignorance, though her clenched fists betrayed her. "Didn't notice," she lied.

"You're too wrapped up in Timothy," Dylan sighed. "Matthew was fine this morning; now he's all broody."

"Maybe it's just work stress," Ursula suggested, hoping to soothe Dylan's worries.

But Dylan's intuition nagged at her. "Something feels off."

Ursula reassured her, despite the guilt gnawing at her for what had transpired in the woods.

Dylan, sensing something amiss, pressed Ursula for updates on a sensitive matter.

Caught off guard, Ursula deflected, claiming concern for Timothy.

Dylan playfully chided her for her newfound attentiveness to Timothy. "Remember, I come first," she half-joked.

Ursula capitulated, eager to escape before her emotions betrayed her.

Once alone, Dylan's smile faded. She sensed the shift in Matthew and resolved to act, unwilling to lose him to another.

Matthew sat in his car, toying with a set of keys, his mood turning frosty. The new apartment he had bought for her now seemed a wasted effort. With a sneer, he discarded the keys and drove off, leaving Rural Retreat behind.