Chapter 3 Do You Still Want to Marry Me?

Matilda said, "Besides, we barely know each other. We've only met once. I don't understand you, and you don't think you understand me."

Wentworth was dressed casually, carrying a messenger bag. He pulled out a stack of documents. "Everything about me is in these documents."

Matilda took a deep breath.

Military ID, driver's license, birth certificate, diploma... and even a property ownership certificate.

She smiled awkwardly again. Without glancing at the documents, she said, "I believe you're a good person, but you don't know me. My family is complicated—my parents are divorced. My ex-boyfriend broke up with me because he couldn't accept my family situation."

Wentworth said flatly, "I don't care about any of that."

"But I care. I'm afraid you might regret it later, and that would make me feel even worse."

It was just like when she broke up with Reuben—she had said she didn't care, but she was still heartbroken for a while.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Just as Matilda was about to leave, a sleazy male voice called out, "If it isn't my dear little sister!"

Hearing the voice, Matilda froze instantly, her hands trembling.

Wentworth noticed Matilda tense.

He turned toward the voice and saw a man in a floral shirt, with long hair and large arm tattoos, walking toward her.

Matilda was clearly afraid of this man!

So Wentworth stood up without thinking and blocked Matilda.

The man snorted coldly upon seeing Wentworth. "Who the hell are you?"

"Who are you?" Wentworth asked calmly.

"I'm her brother—well, not biological." The man's gaze shifted past Wentworth to Matilda, and with a sleazy grin he said, "Matty, my dear sister, you've hooked up with another guy. How many is this now?"

Matilda was so angry her hands shook and her lips trembled.

Derek Barnes was not related to her by blood—he was the son of her mother's new husband.

Matilda had never lived with him, but Derek often found opportunities to bully her.

Once, he blocked her at her door, attempting to force himself on her. Fortunately, a neighbor discovered it and intervened.

Afterward, she complained to her mother, but Derek accused her first, saying she had seduced him.

Her mother didn't help her either, saying that since they weren't blood-related, it would be a perfect match—and they'd even save money on wedding gifts.

She was so furious that she didn't speak to her mother for two years.

Derek didn’t give up either. When Derek learned she was dating Reuben, he approached him and spread rumors, claiming she had slept with numerous men.

Whether or not Reuben truly believed it, they broke up regardless.

"You're not trying to chase her, are you? Do you even know what kind of person she is? Since childhood, neither parent cared for her. She lived alone in that old house and brought home who knows how many men—she's just a slut!"

Derek started spreading rumors to Wentworth again.

At that moment, a chill ran through Matilda, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

Her parents divorced when she was in eighth grade and each started new families. She was the one left behind, having to take care of herself. All those fearful moments, all those lonely, helpless nights—she had to endure them on her own.

She finally made it through college and got a job, but still someone wouldn't leave her alone.

She snatched the ashtray from the table, ready to smash it and fight Derek to the death.

Then she heard a sound—Derek was already on the ground.

Wentworth had struck him!

The punch landed hard. Derek crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and a cut on his head.

He stared blankly at Wentworth. "Y-you hit me? Do you even know who I am?"

Some people around were scared away, while others gathered to watch.

Wentworth walked toward Derek, grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up, then punched him hard again!

Two of Derek's teeth flew out instantly, his mouth spilling blood.

His earlier arrogance vanished, leaving only terror in his eyes.

Wentworth grabbed his collar once more, hoisted him like a chicken, and warned, "Using such filthy language to slander a girl makes you absolute trash! Today it's just two punches. Next time, don’t blame me if I break your arms and legs!"

Then he threw Derek hard to the ground.

Matilda was stunned.

Wentworth was protecting her—and he called her a girl?

After finishing the fight, Wentworth returned to Matilda. "Dr. Spencer, should we find another place to talk?"

Matilda suddenly smiled.

"Mr. Gonzaga, I want to ask you a question."

"What question?" Wentworth asked.

"Would you hit your wife?"

Wentworth said firmly, "Force is only meant to protect those I care about. I would never hit my wife!"

"Then, do you still want to marry me?"

Wentworth was stunned, then nodded.

...

Half an hour later, at Sunny Apartments, Matilda and Wentworth rode the elevator to the 16th floor and stopped at room 1602.

"You can use either fingerprints or a code. The code is 030193, my birthday. If you want, you can move in anytime," Wentworth said.

Matilda smiled awkwardly. "Let's wait until after we register our marriage."

Wentworth opened the door and stepped inside. Matilda saw a spacious flat.

The furniture was simple, neat, and tidy. The flat had no extra decorations—very much like Wentworth's personality.

"Did you buy this place?" Matilda asked.

"It's mine. I have the property certificate. I can add your name, either before or after our marriage," Wentworth said.

Matilda was silent.

She hadn't even asked him to add her name.

There were no women's slippers in the house. Wentworth said, "No need to change shoes. After we eat, I'll go down and pick up some daily necessities for you."

Matilda said awkwardly, "No rush—we can do that after we're married."

"Then sit down first, or look around. I'll go cook. I bought the groceries this morning."

"Okay." Matilda smiled at him.

After Wentworth went into the kitchen, she looked around the spacious flat, her palms starting to sweat.

Was marrying him too impulsive? Well, she had already agreed—there was no turning back.

She walked around the house. The flat had three rooms in total—spacious bedrooms, a large living room, and very little furniture. One room was completely empty. There really wasn't much to see.

She came to the kitchen and leaned against the doorway.

Wentworth was wearing an apron, peeling shrimp. He cut off the heads, cut open the backs, and removed the veins, doing it quite carefully.

Noticing her presence, he asked while peeling shrimp, "Why aren't you resting?"

Matilda said, "I wanted to see if you need help."

"No need, I can handle it myself."

"But you're injured."

"It's fine. It's just my leg, not my hands."

So Matilda went back to sit in the living room.

She wanted to turn on the TV but realized she didn’t know how to use it.

Her current home was an old, small house left by her grandfather, with a heavy CRT set that required antenna adjustment.

Wentworth’s TV, however, was a large LCD connected to a streaming box, with two remote controls. She wasn't used to it and too lazy to figure it out.

Sitting on the sofa, listening to the sounds of the wok and spatula colliding in the kitchen and the aroma wafting out, she suddenly felt this feeling was very strange.

Since her grandfather passed away, she had been living independently, always cooking for herself. It had been a long time since anyone cooked for her.

Now, she felt like a child again, back in days when someone cared for her.

Gradually, her mind relaxed, and she unknowingly leaned on the sofa and fell asleep.

"Dr. Spencer, time to eat."

After an unknown amount of time, Matilda heard someone calling her.