Chapter 25 His Affection Doesn't Matter
Selena was the most rational and the calmest woman Matthew had ever met. He couldn't imagine that she could have been a victim of abuse.
No wonder Matthew thought so. It was Raymond to blame as he had shown no mercy that night. It was unimaginable that love-making could leave such horrifying scars. Naturally, Selena felt even more embarrassed at this moment. "He...treats me well. Only the wearer knows if the shoes fit."
Matthew looked deeply and sighed, "Then call your friend so I can leave without worry."
Selena could only take out her phone and call Shelley, one of her few friends.
Unlike Selena, who only had the title of Miss Fair, Shelley was a true heiress from a wealthy family. They were roommates in college though with different majors.
Shelley arrived two hours later due to a tight schedule. After chatting briefly with her outside the ward, Matthew finally left.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
Entering the room and seeing Selena's pale face, Shelly couldn't help but say, "Why didn't you tell me that Raymond had come back? That scumbag ignored you for three whole years! So what's he gonna do?"
"Divorce," replied Selena while rubbing her forehead. "We both know why we got married back then. He was forced to be separated from his love. So he was unhappy."
"His love? You mean Olivia? They split up years ago. I can't believe Raymond would be such a hopeless romantic!" Shelley exclaimed as she handed over some water to Selena to relieve her cough.
"I don't care about his affection at all. As long as he pays the alimony on time," Selena replied calmly.
Shelley found it amusing and sat down beside her, saying, "You're right. I almost forgot that you're far more sober and realistic." As she finished speaking, someone knocked on the door. Alice poked her head in and felt worried seeing Selena lying in bed.
"Selena, what happened? You look terrible," she said while running over to her. "Dad said he saw someone who looked like you, so I came up to check..."
Before Alice could finish speaking, James appeared at the door. He had followed Alice here since she insisted on coming to see Selena despite his objection. His eyebrows furrowed tightly for he couldn't believe that his daughter came to the hospital helped by a man and that man was not Raymond.
He panicked and spoke without thinking, "Selena, don't blame your father for being nosy! You're already married, so keep your distance from male colleagues lest the Montagues complain about it!" The thought of Raymond sending divorce papers to the Fair family made him feel uneasy.
"Also, think carefully about what I told you earlier! Although Cassius is abroad now, you call him every month! If there are any problems with our second financing..." he spoke urgently but didn't notice how pale Alice's face had become. Nor did he ask why Selena was hospitalized.
"Dad!" Alice interrupted anxiously. "Let's talk about it after Elena gets discharged."
It was only then that James realized what he'd done and quickly shut his mouth.
Selena pursed her lips slightly but didn't exhibit any extra emotions when hearing this. "Dad, when I agreed to marry Raymond three years ago, I made it clear that I would only help you once." Her voice sounded much calmer than before. Sacrificing her marriage for money was despicable. No wonder the Montagues looked down on her family. She had wanted to say something sharper. But seeing James' white hair, she swallowed her bitterness.
James looked stunned upon hearing this from his usually obedient daughter. "I'm just worried about you... Take care of yourself, and don't worry about money. You don't have to work so hard," he said awkwardly.
Selena felt uncomfortable, too. But if she didn't put it straight, the Fair family might cling to this marriage as their lifeline. As a businesswoman, James should use commercial means to make the Fair family independent instead of relying solely on their relationship with the Montagues for profit.
Seeing James leaving, Alice stood up hurriedly and followed, "Selena, Dad hasn't slept all night. He's probably not feeling well right now. I'll go talk to him. Don't take it too seriously."
Selena released her fingertips from the blanket, feeling exhausted.
Shelley, after watching the entire play, couldn't help but blurt out, "Mr. Fair wants to sell his daughter but feels ashamed to admit it."