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.

man at the foot of her bed

her eyes. "Am I

fixed her gaze on Matthew, muttering, "Am

Matthew laughed.

he hugged her, wrapping his arms around her slender

masculine scent enveloped

hitched in her

not

not

eyes reddened with

hers as he

kiss was the best way to erase all the worries and turbulent emotions in Selina's

responded to Matthew warmly

Selina fell onto the bed once

by one, their clothes joined a heap on the floor. Their

was noon by the time

was because Selina

of them went downstairs

had already prepared an entire feast of

home, Selina's appetite returned in full force. She

Matthew also ate heartily.

Selina was done, she set down her cutlery

left no room

to write you a statement?"

was taken

Selina was left speechless.

to herself, wasn't Matthew aware of that

the full story

sank. His roiling emotions, as dark as night, were sealed within

brought any of it up

He had almost forgotten.

knew that Saoirse would take it to heart? She had even given him such a great gift before he returned. Matthew's voice was

Selina caught her breath.

was how it

alright?" Selina

good. The surgery was a

man

Matthew's eyes. "Yes,

as a surprise

they were

fraught with unspeakable

a long pause, she murmured,

straight into hers. "I told

Selina's heartbeat accelerated.