Chapter 45: Jealousy

Ursula fought to keep her voice steady, masking her anxiety with a light-hearted tone, "Timothy, you've got it all wrong. I was asleep. Plus, if you show up here at this hour, the neighbors will talk."

"Ursula..." Timothy's voice held an edge of urgency.

She cut him off with a forced cheerfulness, "Hey, how about we go to the hospital tomorrow? I have a problem that has been bothering me."

"Your foot hurts? Why didn't you mention it earlier? I'll come right now," Timothy responded, concern overriding his curiosity.

Ursula inwardly winced at his innocence. She couldn't return his feelings. "No, it's nothing serious. Let's just talk tomorrow, okay?"

Seeing Ursula yawn, Timothy reluctantly agreed to pick her up the next day. Ursula ended the call and watched from the window as Timothy lingered below.

Time passed by, Timothy remained. Ursula's worry grew, but finally, he drove away. She sighed, a mix of relief and concern furrowing her brow.

The doorbell rang, cutting through the silence, its persistence hinting at the visitor's determination. Ursula hesitated, knowing who it was without looking. She approached the door, her swollen ankle was aching. She opened it to find Matthew, his presence was as imposing as ever.

Without a word, he entered, his demeanor making clear he knew she hadn't fled.

Ursula felt trapped as she closed the door behind him, sealing herself in with her fate.

"Timothy seems to care about you." Matthew observed, stating the obvious.

"What's it to you?" Ursula asked.

Matthew's expression was unreadable as he placed a document on the table. "Sign this."

In the dim moonlight, Ursula quickly signed, not bothering to read it, her laugh tinged with bitterness.

"Come here," Matthew commanded, disliking her tone of resignation.

Ursula felt a chill, aware that resistance was futile. As Matthew carried her toward the bedroom, she reflected on the years gone by and the love that had ended in nothing.

Matthew, knowing her apartment as well as his own, laid her on the bed with a roughness that was uncharacteristic. Ursula's groan was barely audible.

It was too late for pleas; Matthew's touch was familiar yet now filled with tension.

"Lu... Ze... Cheng... don't," she whispered, unwilling to surrender this way.

Matthew misunderstood her reluctance for coyness, his voice now a husky whisper, "You want it like this?"

Ursula's whisper slipped out, "What are you going to do..."

His smirk was almost predatory.

Suddenly, Ursula's pent-up emotions burst forth, and she twisted away, shouting, "Matthew, I don't want this, stop!"

Despite her mental preparation, Ursula couldn't go through with it. Her feelings for him were too strong to be ignored, especially under these circumstances.