Matthew's expression instantly turned rather gloomy. He took a deep breath and explained in a heavy tone, "Jamie, I just hope you'll pay her a visit. She really likes you and keeps talking about you. She says you're exactly the daughter-in-law she wants. Just... have some pity for an old lady. Go and visit her, will you?"

His voice held a slight tremor, and his eyes were slightly red.

I put the book in my hand back on the bookshelf and turned around to leave.

"Jamie! Are you that heartless?" Matthew's voice suddenly rose.

The people around us all looked at us.

I stopped and met his slightly displeased gaze with utter calmness. "Mr. Zackman, please watch your words. We have nothing to do with each other except for a failed blind date. You're making so much noise in public that you're bothering me."

His chest rose and fell violently. He was clearly furious.

"Okay, okay, okay," he repeated himself with a gloomy look in his eyes.

"Jamie, I'll remember this." He turned around and hurried away, looking somewhat disheveled.

I received a call from an unknown number that night. A frail, elderly woman's voice said, "Is… Is this Ms. Linsworth?"

I immediately recognized the owner of the voice—Matthew's mother, Cassandra Zigger.

"Mrs. Zackman, hello," I replied politely but distantly.

Cassandra lamented on the phone, "Oh, Jamie. I know Matthew isn't lucky enough to be with a wonderful woman like you. But... But I just want to see you and say a few words to you in person. Otherwise, it'll weigh on my chest. I'm afraid… I'm afraid I won't be able to get over it."

Her voice trembled with emotion as she spoke.

I gripped the phone and stayed silent.

She had also done this in my previous life. Every time Matthew wanted something from me, she would conveniently fall ill, feel something weighing on her chest, or feel like she was dying. Time and time again, I became soft-hearted and gave in.

"Jamie, I don't ask for anything else. I just beg you to come to the hospital and see me, okay? Just... pity me." Her voice was full of pleading as if I would disagree.

I took a deep breath, knowing they would stick to me like glue if this was not resolved once and for all. I agreed. "Okay. Send me the address. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon."

After I hung up, I looked out at the night sky. My eyes grew colder. Since Matthew and his mother were insisting on putting on this show, I would play along. However, this time, I would write the script.

…

The next afternoon, I arrived at the hospital as promised. Just as I reached the entrance to the inpatient department, I saw Rosalie waiting there.

She was wearing a simple white dress with light makeup. She immediately came to greet me, her expression full of worry.

"Jamie, you're finally here! Mrs. Zackman... hasn't eaten anything since this morning. She keeps talking about you." Rosalie naturally took my arm as if we were still best friends who could talk about anything.

"Is that so?" I casually pulled my hand away. "Let's hurry inside. Don't keep the old lady waiting."

Rosalie's eyes flickered for a moment before she returned to her gentle and kind demeanor as she led me toward the ward.

The moment I pushed open the ward door, the strong smell of medicine struck me in the face. Cassandra was lying weakly on the bed. Matthew sat beside her, feeding her water.

Seeing me enter, Cassandra's eyes lit up instantly. She struggled to sit up. "Jamie. Jamie, you're here..."

"Mrs. Zackman, lie down." I pulled a chair and sat down at a spot neither too close nor too far from the hospital bed.

Cassandra held my hand, tears welling up in her eyes. "Good child, I knew you were kind-hearted. Apart from having a slightly poor family, Matthew has no other flaws. He's scholarly and filial. He has a bright future. Could... Could you just give him another chance?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Rosalie immediately chimed in, albeit with a hint of displeasure flashing across her face, "Yeah, Jamie. Matthew is really nice. It would be such a pity if you missed out on each other!"

Matthew lowered his head, looking both guilty and helpless.

These three were putting on a show.

I looked at Cassandra and replied slowly, "Mrs. Zackman, there are many successful men out there, and I'm not interested in doing charity."

One sentence instantly made the entire ward silent.

Cassandra's tears were still on her face, but her expression had frozen.

Rosalie opened her mouth, looking startled.

Matthew suddenly raised his head, his face turning red instantly. "What... What did you say?"

"I said, I'm not interested in doing charity," I repeated and met his murderous gaze with unwavering composure. "Mr. Zackman, how much do you make a month? Is it enough to buy your mother's medicine, pay your brother's tuition, and support a family? My parents raised me for over 20 years. I can't let myself marry another man just to suffer alongside him."

Matthew jumped to his feet, pointing at me. "Jamie! You... You're insulting me! Don't underestimate a young man's potential! I—"

I interrupted him, "I'm not insulting you. I'm just stating the facts. Besides, Mr. Zackman, you've got the wrong person. I'm not the one who truly appreciates you and is willing to struggle with you."

I slowly looked toward Rosalie beside me. "Rosalie, didn't you always say Mr. Zackman is a promising bachelor, a good person, and whoever marries him would be lucky?"

I smiled at her. "I'm giving you this opportunity. You should thank me."

Rosalie blushed instantly, and her shy gaze turned to Matthew.

The atmosphere in the ward was extremely awkward.

Just then, the ward door was pushed open, and a tall figure walked in.