My Heart only Beats for You

"Exactly." Erine was excited beyond compare. "When I heard that you were coming back today, I thought about going to the market to buy some fresh produce so I could cook a delicious meal for you." Matthew could not suppress a smile. "Erine, you don't have to bother with buying groceries. Leave it to the kitchen staff."

Erine immediately shook her head and protested, "Sir, you don't know this, but those kitchen staff don't know how to choose the freshest ingredients. If we want the best of the best, I'll have to go myself." Matthew's smile lingered. "Alright then, Erine. Go."

Erine was also all smiles as she looked Matthew over. "Sir, I'm delighted to see you back here. I've been worried sick."

"How's Selina?" Matthew questioned.

"Miss Whitlock is still sleeping."

"Is she in a better mood these days?"

Erine hesitated for a moment.

Selina wasn't exactly in high spirits as of late.

Erine gave a vague answer. "Miss Whitlock was lonely when you were not around. She wouldn't be in the best of moods, naturally."

A shadow came across Matthew's expression.

"I won't leave like that in the future," he replied in a low voice.

Erine rejoiced at his words.

"That's wonderful. Your departure made everyone worry." Erine paused and then asked, "May I bring up something else?"

"Go ahead."

Erine spoke hesitantly, "Sir, can you not block me? Not being able to contact you for these few days, and not knowing how you were doing... The anxiety nearly killed me."

Matthew smiled in response.

"Okay," he acquiesced.

Only then did Erine smile in return. "Thank you, sir."

After bidding Erine goodbye, Matthew then headed upstairs. Upon reaching the bedroom, he gently pushed the door open.

Selina was still deep in sleep.

Although thick curtains hung at the window from the ceiling to the floor, some light still seeped through and illuminated part of Selina's face. The sunshine made Selina's porcelain fair skin even fairer. It looked almost translucent, and Matthew could see every tiny pore and hair on her face.

Her breathing was soft and her lips were slightly parted.

Matthew sat at the foot of the bed, gazing at the sleeping Selina. His lips curled inevitably as he watched her.

He sat there just looking at her, unmoving, for nearly an hour. Then, Selina's lashes and eyelids began to tremble and flutter a little.

Her lids lifted, and she opened her eyes.

foot of her bed gave her the

rubbed her eyes.

upright and fixed her gaze on Matthew, muttering, "Am I

Matthew laughed.

hugged her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. "Do you think this is a

familiar masculine

hitched in

was not a

was not a

Her eyes reddened

as

erase all the worries and turbulent emotions

to Matthew

the bed once more. Matthew's body

on

was noon by the time they

was because Selina was

of them went downstairs

an entire feast

appetite returned in full force. She devoured two helpings of

Matthew also ate heartily.

down her cutlery and asked, "Matthew,

no room for

Did Saoirse promise to write you a statement?" Selina

was taken aback. "What

Selina was left speechless.

thought to herself, wasn't Matthew aware of

the

roiling emotions, as dark as night, were sealed within his

of it up

He had almost forgotten.

would take it to heart? She had even given him such a great gift before he returned. Matthew's voice was low as he said, "Selina, Saoirse didn't tell me any of that. I

Selina caught her breath.

that was how

Saoirse alright?"

good. The surgery

a man

"Yes,

quickly?" It came as a

said, "Incredible, right? But they were

was fraught

she

His eyes, deep as the ocean, gazed straight into hers. "I told you that everything would blow

Selina's heartbeat accelerated.