Chapter 47: After the Ordeal

Ursula slumped against the headboard, her bandaged foot dangling in the air, feeling as deflated as a balloon. Matthew's presence, silent and brooding, did nothing to lift her spirits.

He hadn't said a word since they entered the hospital, his face dark with a stormy expression. Ursula half-expected to wipe away soot if she touched his cheek.

She kept expecting Matthew to leave, but he stayed, his gaze fixed on her. Earlier, she'd narrowly escaped his clutches, and the gravity of that moment lingered between them.

"So, did I pass your test?" she ventured.

His reply extinguished any flicker of hope. "Don't think you can weasel your way out of this."

She knew better than to provoke him further, yet she couldn't help herself. "I held up my end, Matthew. It was you who backed down."

It seemed so unjust that her willingness to comply was now being dismissed because he had a change of heart.

His "Okay" caught her off guard.

"You agree?" Her spirits lifted, but then she tensed up, seeing him start to unbutton his shirt.

"What are you doing? We're in a hospital!"

He looked at her, his expression was unreadable, "If you're so eager, I'll keep my promise."

She panicked, "Wait, let's just talk."

He paused, then simply said, "Speak."

Ursula cleared her throat, trying to regain some semblance of control, "I can't accept that condition, I won't compromise my morals or ethics."

"But I'm open to other terms."

"Alright."

She was taken aback by his easy agreement. Before she could process it, he added, "I'll agree, but answer one question for me."

She cautiously agreed, ensuring it wasn't against her principles. "Go ahead."

"Are you hiding something from me?" he asked sharply.

"No," she answered too quickly, then tried to recover, "You know me, Matthew. I've always been honest with you."

Her gaze was steady, but inside she was reeling, knowing she had to keep her secret from this man who was too shrewd for her comfort.

Matthew nearly believed her, but something didn't add up. Her panic, however brief, betrayed her. He sensed her secret involved him, but he wasn't in a hurry to uncover it. "You're fine on your own, then."

"Yes, I'm fine," she replied, a bit too quickly.

After he left, Ursula's heart still raced. She had managed to convince him, for now. She exhaled, relieved, but then it hit her, she had answered his question without securing her own terms. She had been outmaneuvered.

"Matthew, you've tricked me again!"

Matthew paused outside the door, a smirk crossing his face as he heard her mutter. The secret she guarded wasn't his priority, there were bigger games to play. One day, he'd realize the gravity of what he'd overlooked.

Ursula expected a lonely night but drifted off to sleep swiftly. In her dreams, she played chess with Uncle Zhou, a comforting pastime.

Waking up to the sterile hospital room, she checked her phone: several messages from Dylan, numerous calls from Timothy. It was late; she'd forgotten to tell George she was in the hospital.

She called him back immediately.

"Ursula, where are you? Are you okay?" Timothy's voice was laced with concern.

"I'm fine, George, sorry to make you worry." she replied, her heart heavy with guilt. George's unwavering concern, despite her faults, felt like a weight she wasn't sure how to carry.