Chapter 25
Selena was the coolest, most composed woman Matthew had ever met.
It was hard to believe someone like her had gone through domestic violence.
No wonder Matthew thought so; Raymond had lost it that night, and no one would expect such shocking marks to be left after sex.
So Selena felt even more awkward right now.
"He treats me well. Marriage is something only the people involved can truly understand whether it's happy or not," Selena said.
Matthew gave Selena a long look and sighed, "Then call your friend, or I won't feel comfortable leaving."
Selena had no choice but to pull out her phone and call Shelley Harper.
Unlike her, who was just a nominal daughter of the Fair family, Shelley was a true heiress and one of her few friends.
They had different majors in college but ended up in the same dorm room.
Shelley was super busy these days. By the time she showed up, it was two hours later. She exchanged a few pleasantries with Matthew outside the hospital room before he felt reassured enough to leave.
When Shelley opened the door and saw Selena's pale face, she couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you tell me Raymond was back in the country? That jerk ignored you for three whole years, and now he's back. What could he possibly want?"
Shelley had a fiery temper.
"Probably a divorce," Selena said, rubbing her temples. "We both knew why we got married back then. He had someone he liked, and naturally, he wasn't happy when they were separated."
"Someone he liked? You mean his childhood thing with Olivia? They've been apart for so many years; I don't buy that Raymond is that sentimental," Shelley said, fuming.
Selena coughed and took the water Shelley handed her.
"Whether he's sentimental or not has nothing to do with me, as long as he pays me on time," Selena continued.
Shelley found it amusing and sat down beside her. "Indeed, I almost forgot that you are one of the most clear-headed people I know."
Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.
Alice poked her head in, looking worried when she saw it was indeed Selena in the hospital bed.
"Selena, what happened to you? You look terrible."
Alice ran over as she said, "Dad said he saw someone who looked like you, so I came up to check..."
Before she could finish, James appeared at the door.
James had followed Alice here; despite his hesitation, he couldn't refuse her insistence to come up and have a look.
The moment James saw Selena, his brow furrowed deeply.
James hadn't expected it to really be Selena. He thought it was impossible; Selena never had many male friends, so why would Matthew be the one helping her to the hospital? Why wasn't it Raymond?
Feeling a bit panicked, James couldn't help but speak. "Selena, don't blame me for saying this, but you're married now. You should keep your distance from male colleagues to avoid giving the Montague family any leverage."
Often preoccupied with thoughts of the divorce papers Raymond had sent, James felt a deep sense of unease.
"Also, think carefully about what I told you. William may be abroad, but don't you call him every month? If the Fair Group's second round of financing fails..." James spoke so urgently that he didn't notice how pale Selena was.
Nor did James ask why Selena was in the hospital.
Alice quickly interrupted, "Dad, let's talk about the company after Selena is discharged."
James suddenly seemed to realize and quickly shut his mouth.
Selena's lips pressed into a thin line, showing no extra emotion, but her voice sounded much colder. "Dad, three years ago, when I agreed to marry Raymond, I made it clear that I would only help you that one time."
Sacrificing marriage for financial gain was such a contemptible act that it was no wonder the Montague family held them in disdain.
Selena wanted to speak more harshly but stopped when she saw the gray in James's hair, swallowing her bitterness.
James looked stunned, probably not expecting the obedient Selena to say such things.
James murmured, "I'm just worried about you. Focus on getting better. If you need anything, just tell me. Don't worry about money, and don't work so hard."
Selena felt a bit uncomfortable. But if she didn't make things clear, the Fair family might really cling to this marriage.
She couldn't let James treat her marriage as a lifeline. As a businessman, he should use business methods to make the Fair Group independent, not rely on the Montague family for profit.
Alice saw James turn to leave and quickly followed.
"Selena, Dad didn't sleep at all last night. He might be in a bad mood. I'll go talk to him. Don't take it to heart," Alice said.
Selena released her grip on the blanket, feeling exhausted.
Shelley, who had watched the whole scene, couldn't hold back. "James wants to sell you off for money," she blurted out, "but he's too chicken to say it straight."
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