Chapter 375 - She Returned To Normal… To Her Old Self.

His hands trembled the more he read the little details of how Levi passed. It was out of the blue, too sudden, just like how people die without them knowing. Levi and Evalyn had spent their morning as usual. 

They had their breakfast together, with Evalyn eating more than she usually eats because she was feeding herself and the little life growing inside her. The fruit of their love. To be honest, Matthew had thought the story was about to reach its end.

Maybe, he thought that the story already ended so Zoey had it printed for safe keeping. However, by the looks of it, it was just starting. Still, Matthew felt a pang in his heart reading how Evalyn grieved for losing her husband and child at the same time.

She regretted it, no doubt, She regretted a lot of things; she could've said she loved him more, she could've showered him with more kisses and cuddles, she could've cooked for him more, she could've given him more time, and the list goes on.

Above all, Evalyn blamed herself. She blamed herself for Levi's death and for losing her child because she couldn't cope with her loss. The words that narrated the dark phase of the story felt heavy, as if Zoey poured all her emotions writing it.

Currently, the story ended with Evalyn knowing that her friend was dying in a crash. It was too late for Evalyn because she was living in seclusion, hence, the news reached her days later. After that, Matthew didn't know what happened because there was no page to turn, leaving him in deep thoughts.

'You…' As Matthew placed the folder aside, he stared at Zoey for a long time. He didn't notice how long he'd been staring at her peaceful front, but there was this strong urge inside him wanting to embrace her.

Was this because of the story? But it was just a story… a story from someone's imagination. Yet, part of him felt the usual pain he had felt the other night. It was painful, as if it was breaking apart from utter guilt.

"Hmm…" Just then, Zoey grunted as she moved a little. Shortly after, her eyes slowly opened and then closed, blinking weakly. Seconds after she opened and closed her eyes, Zoey's eyes widened seeing a pair of russet eyes looking back at her.

Without further ado, Zoey instinctively sat up. However, her forehead bumped against his. "Ahh!" She fell back, rubbing her forehead.

Meanwhile, Matthew also rubbed his forehead. That sudden pain brought him back from his trance, causing him to lean back, his face squeezed a little. "Can you stop acting rashly?" As he rubbed the red part of his forehead, Matthew murmured.

"Ahh…" Frustrated at how her head hurts seconds after she woke up, Zoey frowned. "Why are you staring at me while I was asleep?" She complained, stopping her hands from rubbing her forehead and glared daggers at him.

For a moment, Matthew remained silent. Slowly, he drew his hand away from his forehead and lazily glanced at her. "I was trying to close your mouth." He lied, but his expression said otherwise.

Upon hearing his reason, Zoey gasped and covered her lips. She touched the side of her lips recklessly, checking if she drooled while asleep. When she was certain there was no dried drool, Zoey pursed her lips hard.

Without further ado, she forced herself to sit. When she was sitting beside him, Zoey glared at him once again. "Liar!" She berated, invisible steam fuming from her nose.

"I said close your mouth… I didn't say you're drooling." In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew explained his side with a shrug. "Anyway, since you're up, your employee handed these folders earlier." Matthew picked up the folders he had placed aside, specifically on the floor as he didn't want to disturb her sleep by moving too much.

"Oh," Zoey blinked her eyes many times, staring down at folders that he suddenly handed to her. She just woke up from her power nap, hence, she was still a bit groggy. Not to mention, she could still feel her forehead throb from the slight pain bumping heads against him.

A minute later, her eyes widened in disbelief as she realized what these folders were. Slowly, her aghast face raised and met his. "I checked them. I hope you don't mind." He admitted, his expression didn't change much.

"You read this?" Shocked, Zoey tugged the folders in her hands.

He nodded. "I thought it was important. If you missed it, it'll be my fault since I asked you to sleep." He shrugged his shoulders, explaining his side because he knew his action was quite rude as a businessman.

This was Zoey's important business documents. It wasn't just a mere document, but it stated the digits that were going out of the Z Image Group. In other words, it was the cash flow that would reveal how much money her company could afford for now. Little did he know, Zoey didn't care about that.

She was well-aware that her company was broke; that they're barely surviving now. What she was more concerned about was the manuscript she asked Melanie to print for her. Zoey's computer couldn't contain too much data, she needed to print these so she could review the story every once in a while.

"Did you…" She paused, swallowing down a mouthful of saliva as her forehead broke out in sweats. "Did you read this?" She slowly raised the folder up, her eyes glued on him as she waited for his reply.

'He wouldn't waste his time reading stories, right?' Zoey calmed herself internally, throwing some senses to her panicking mind as if she was caught red handed. Part of her mind was panicking but half of it told her even if he read it, it doesn't matter. After all, it's just a story -- he wouldn't assume a silly conclusion like it was their love story in their previous life, right?

"I did." After a blink, Matthew answered, not denying his meddling with her stuff. "It's a beautiful story albeit tragic." He commented, his eyes dimmed a little as he recalled Levi's death.

One way or another, it was almost the same death of him in the 'dream' he had. Indeed, Matthew considered himself daydreaming for seeing such weird images flashing in his memory. Still, part of him felt pained being reminded of those broken memories while reading how Levi died, and the questions Evalyn had for him that he wouldn't be able to answer anymore.

Zoey examined Matthew's expression for a good one minute. When she was sure he seemed normal even after reading it, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. "Thank you," Under her breath, she expressed.

"So, what happened?" He queried, resting his arm on the back head rest, then propped his temple by his knuckles.

"Huh?"

"What happened to Evalyn after she attended the funeral?" He clarified his question, anticipating her reply. Well, he was curious and since she knew he read her manuscript, Matthew would rather ask her directly. After all, he felt a thief reading this story without her permission.

Another few seconds passed but their eyes never left each other: one was waiting for an answer while the other was looking for answers. Neither of them broke the ice for a minute until her lips parted ever so slowly.

"She returned to normal… to her old self.." Her usual lively voice turned monotone, her jaw tightened as she decided to give him the most honest answer that happened that time.