Chapter 161

Ever since I stopped being forced to practice hand lettering under Matthew's watchful eye, I never bothered to do it on my own. I wasn't exactly a child anymore, but I was still just as lazy, dodging anything that felt like work.

"Relax, just write. However it turns out, it turns out," Matthew said, holding the quill pen out to me. How could I say no? I'd held this pen before, when I bought it, but now, taking it from him, it felt much heavier. Perhaps it was the ink—or maybe it was the way Matthew was staring at me, as if expecting something profound. He wanted me to be that girl again, the one who used to write with a heart full of Jace, back when I was a regular at their house.

I pressed the pen to the paper, but my hand shook. No matter how hard I tried, the strokes were wobbly. I knew Matthew didn't actually care about my handwriting; he wanted something deeper—he was trying to gauge my feelings.

"Embrace the present," he read aloud, his eyes scanning my writing. Earlier, he'd shared his thoughts, and I was simply trying to match his sentiment. He didn't say anything else, just nodded, giving me a serious, almost intense look. "I wish you the best." Then, unexpectedly, he offered his hand for a handshake. But instead of shaking it, I pulled him into a gentle hug. "Thank you, Matthew."

He patted my back lightly. "I'm sorry, I've put you through a lot. It's my fault for not raising my son properly." Just moments ago, when Lindey was criticizing him, he'd remained silent—he hadn't admitted a thing. Yet here he was, apologizing to me.

Tears stung my eyes. He must have noticed, because he gently stroked my hair before stepping back and looking at my red, watery eyes. "I know all the foolish things Jace has done. I've already addressed it. If he tries anything like that again, he's out. He should know better by now."

I'd come here to vent, to ask him to control Jace, but Matthew had anticipated my request. He truly understood me. After ten years of this bond—thick as blood, yet in every other way—it felt like we were as close as real family.

"Thank you, Matthew." I wasn't just thanking him for defending me; I was thanking him for the love and care he'd shown me over the years.

Matthew gently straightened me. "Don't say things like that. It feels like you're distancing yourself from us."

I shook my head. "You and Lindey will always be my family, my closest people."

Matthew smiled, that familiar warmth returning. "Good. When we go downstairs, I'll make it clear to Hayden—if he ever crosses a line with you, he's finished." It was the first time I'd ever heard Matthew sound so tough, almost like a mob boss.

I laughed. "Okay, I'll make sure he gets the message."

Matthew ruffled my hair again. "Rea, no matter who you end up with, I just want one thing—for you to be happy." In that moment, he felt more like my real father than ever. Tears welled up again, and I nodded.

"Alright, let's head downstairs. I wonder if Lindey's giving Hayden a hard time. She only wants you as her daughter-in-law, you know. She won't settle for anyone else," Matthew said, giving me that classic "a husband knows his wife best" grin.

I looped my arm through his. "It's fine. Let her test him. If he's scared off, he's not the right one anyway." Matthew chuckled softly and started leading me toward the stairs.

But before we could go any further, I stopped him. "Matthew, there's something I need to ask."

"Hm? What is it?"

I bit my lip, my heart suddenly racing. "My parents' car accident… was it really an accident?"