Chapter 48: Suspicions and Secrets

Timothy's voice held a note of concern as he spoke to Ursula. "You sound off. Do you need me to come over?"

"I had a rough night and ended up at City Hospital," Ursula confessed quietly.

"I'll be right there," Timothy replied without prying into the details, his tone steady and reassuring.

After giving him her room number, Ursula's expression clouded with worry. She resolved to clear the air with George once he arrived; she wasn't one to let misunderstandings fester.

Feeling a bit more at ease with her decision, she quickly texted Dylan to reassure him she was fine.

But before she could settle, Dylan called, his voice laced with concern. "Ursula, you vanished this morning. I was about to report you missing!"

"I'm sorry, Dylan. It was a hectic night." Ursula apologized, brushing off his exasperated tone.

"You could've told us. Timothy was worried sick." Dylan chided, his voice betraying a hint of jealousy.

He then let slip his envy. "Seeing how Timothy cares for you makes me jealous."

Ursula hesitated, sensing something amiss. Dylan poured out his frustrations. "You don't know how yesterday went. Matthew just left me there, heartbroken."

She didn't know what to say. She had been the reason for Matthew's abrupt departure, and guilt gnawed at her.

Dylan continued, oblivious to her turmoil, "I dressed up for him, and he didn't care. Do you think I'm not pretty enough?"

Ursula felt a sting at his words. Dylan, always the center of attention, was doubting his allure.

Dylan's voice dropped to a whisper, "I love him, Ursula. But why won't he accept me? Is it because I traveled abroad?"

Dylan's confidence, usually unshakable, was faltering because of Matthew.

He confided a suspicion that had been haunting him. "I think Matthew's seeing someone else."

Ursula's grip on her phone tightened, her heart racing. She had been so careful to leave no trace behind.

"Dylan, are you sure?" she managed to ask, her voice strained.

"I trust my instincts, and I'm onto her," Dylan declared, his tone full of conviction.

Ursula felt a chill run through her. Had her secret been discovered?

Dylan's voice brought her back, "Ursula, are you listening? You're awfully quiet."

"I'm just surprised by what you did." she lied, trying to mask her panic.

Dylan's spirits was lowered "I checked the surveillance footage but didn't see her face."

Ursula breathed a sigh of relief, yet she remained cautious.

Dylan vowed to uncover the mystery woman's identity, his frustration palpable.

"If Matthew stops seeing her, will you drop it?" Ursula asked, her voice tentative.

"No way. I need to know who could distract Matthew from me." Dylan responded, determined.

The word "temptress" weighed heavily on Ursula, making her question her own actions.

Had she been wrong to find happiness with Matthew after he and Dylan had split?

"Dylan, why are youso quiet?" he asked, sensing her unease.

"Just wondering about this other woman." Ursula deflected, though her mind was racing.

Dylan scoffed, "Whoever she is, she's just the other woman. And no one could take my place in Matthew's heart, I'm his first love."

Ursula's thoughts drifted. First loves are unforgettable, and Matthew's was no exception. Her own unrequited feelings for him echoed that sentiment, etched deep within her.