Chapter 556 - Seek Happiness Than Revenge

"Zoey, I want you." He whispered in her mouth.

He said those words, but deep down, Zoey knew she wanted him more. Without a word being uttered, Zoey answered as she pressed her lips against him harder.

As if Matthew heard her silent permission, his feet strode towards the long couch in the middle of the office. Their lips remained in each other's company, neither of them dared to break the long kiss until Zoey's back laid flat on the long sofa.

Zoey stared at the pair of russet eyes hovering over her. They were glinting, screaming lustful desire with a touch of longing. His hot breaths with a mix of the alcohol wafted on her nose, intoxicating her more than she already was.

Drawn, her gaze moved, embedding every detail of his face in her mind. She raised her hand as her fingertip traced his sharp jaw. Silence had enveloped the room, but unlike any normal days, the thick sensual air filled the room instead of the usual stifling tension.

While Zoey was drawn studying his facial structure, Matthew brushed her hair. His elbows propped on the little space the couch offered, but it didn't bother him.

'How long has it been since I was dead?' He wondered internally.

Matthew had been dead and only came back to life upon Zoey's time-travel. Be it a blessing or a curse to remember their previous life, Matthew began to appreciate this gift.

Even though he initially hoped he didn't retrieve his memories as the truth was too much, part of him was thankful. At the very least, he knew how to protect her.

At the very least, he could reassure her of the life she deserved; the peace she deserved. Instead of just blindly scheming, shouting to protect her. Matthew was confident he could surpass his older version this time.

"This is odd…" Zoey whispered, staring at his thin lips. "I think I'm acting out of impulse and if I cross the line, I will regret it."

Zoey uttered as she realized that her words and courage were all just temporary. She knew that once she gave in, her problems would also be his: her secrets, her pain, her burden, and everything would be his.

"Am I doing the right thing?" Without her realizing it, Zoey spoke her thoughts aloud.

"Is doing the right thing important?" Matthew asked back, caressing her cheek by the back of his fingers. "I don't think you're asking the right question."

He added as his eyes glazed over her. Obviously, he knew letting him meddle with her already laid plans would change a lot. However, does it matter?

His safety mattered but so did hers. Whether or not she agreed, Matthew was prepared to correct everything even if it means being hated by her. 

Even if it means taking out Ivan or the people she still cared without the knowledge of the truth, Matthew would do it if they chose to do the same thing they did in their previous life. That was his resolve as a man, as her lover, her friend, and the father of her child.

"I told you, if you're putting your life on the line, consider putting mine as well. No matter how heavy your burdens are, I will carry them with you… or if you want, you can let me carry it all by myself, Zoey." Matthew uttered, his eyes staring straight at her eyes without looking away even for a split second.

Brushing her hair, a subtle smile resurfaced on his lips. "Can't you hear it? The beating of my heart… can't you hear what it has been saying all this time?"

Matthew held on her hand and placed it on his bare chest. Zoey felt his racing heart in silence, not breaking her eye contact with him.

It was beating so loud and fast, the heat of his skin added to its rush. Zoey bit her lip lightly as she clasped his hand that was keeping hers arrested to feel his beating heart.

"It says, I don't need your protection. I don't need your concern for my safety or your plans to sacrifice yourself for me or for others. It's beating selfishly and has decided to do what I want, not what I should or shouldn't do."

Matthew whispered as he leaned closer. He rested his forehead against hers, sniffing her tempting breaths.

"Just like what I've been doing selfishly, can't you do the same? Be as selfish as you can, claim what you had ever wanted, seek happiness than revenge, and face what lies tomorrow with me? Will you really regret choosing to be happy more than anything? Because I won't." 

Zoey felt his head move sideways. His every word touched her soul, breaking the remaining resolve that had built up ever since her time-traveling… no, it was built ever since Matthew died in their previous life.

That tragic first half of the story changed her without her realizing it. Back then, happiness sounded too far fetched because he wasn't there anymore. He wasn't there and there was no way to bring him back.

But now, he was right here. Right before her where she could touch him, feeling the warmth of his body once again. His heart was beating loudly; without a shadow of the doubt, he's alive.

'Will I regret it?' She wondered internally as Matthew drew back and stared at her.

He was staring at her intently and Zoey reached to him once again. 'Maybe… who knows?'

With that in mind, Zoey initiated a brief kiss this time. "I won't know if I don't try, right?" She humored with a subtle smile on her lips.

Upon hearing her, Matthew chuckled faintly as he caught her lips with his. His lips didn't settle on her lips for long as he shifted and started nibbling on her jaw to her earlobe. 

"That's right." 

Zoey shivered as the tip of his nose traced the side of her neck along with his burning breaths kissing her skin.