Chapter 28
Three days later, Jasmine came to the hospital. She stood outside the ward door, her fingertips trembling in midair. She took several deep breaths before she finally pushed open the not-so-heavy door.
In the room, Matthew was sitting in a chair by the window with half his face wrapped in thick bandages. Sunlight was filtering through the blinds and casting dappled shadows across his body.
He was holding a script, but when he heard the door open, he slowly looked up.
The bandages on the right side of his face suppressed his expression, but his left eye flashed with complex emotions.
“You came.” His voice was calmer than expected, as if he had anticipated this moment all along.
Jasmine’s throat tightened, and her steps unconsciously slowed. She noticed a mirror on the bedside table that was placed face down.
“I…” She opened her mouth but found that all her prepared words were stuck in her throat.
Matthew closed the book gently.
“You don’t need to say anything,” he said, pointing to the chair across from him. “Have a seat.”
Jasmine didn’t sit. Instead, she walked up to him. The sharp scent of antiseptic mixed with the bitter tang
of ointment hung in the air.
Jasmine noticed the back of his hand resting on his knee was also marred by acid burns.
“Does it hurt?” she finally asked, her voice so soft it was barely audible.
Matthew glanced at his hand and gave a half-smile that wasn’t really a smile. “It hurts, but I’m used to it.”
He paused before he added, “The doctor said I’m recovering well. At least I still have my eyesight.”
The words felt like a dull blade cutting into Jasmine’s chest. She suddenly reached out but stopped just
before touching the bandages on his face.
Then, she withdrew her hand, her fingers curling in the process.
“I’m sorry.”
The words weighed heavily between them.
“Don’t be.” Matthew shook his head. The movement pulled at his wounds under the bandages, making him wince slightly. “If I had to do it over again, I’d make the same choice.”
Jasmine stared at him for a long time, her tears finally spilling over. “I’ll cover all the treatment costs and get the best doctors for you…”
“Timothy has already arranged everything,” he interrupted her calmly. “He liquidated all his assets,
including that Riverside Apartment you used to love so much.”
Jasmine froze. Then, she wiped the tears hanging on her jawline.
She murmured, “Timothy? Why would he-”
“You know why,” Matthew replied, his gaze moving past her to look out the window. “It’s the same as why I took that hit for you.”
