Chapter 15: Did That Child Belong to You?

Helen struggled to maintain her composure as she responded, although tears welled up in her eyes. "She's always around you, and if she works for you, you'll only grow closer. I'm afraid you'll develop feelings for her."

Realizing there was no point in hiding anymore, Helen decided to be honest about her intentions and clear Matthew's doubts. She was doing everything out of fear of losing him.

Her watery eyes blinked. "You've known me for a long time. You know how much I love—"

Helen stammered, holding back her tears, and continued, "I'm scared of losing you, that's why I meddled in the hiring process."

Matthew frowned and replied, "I've already told you we're getting divorced in a month."

Helen was well aware of that. If it weren't for Dolores being the woman from that fateful night, she would have been willing to wait as long as necessary. After all, she had waited all those years, so one month was nothing. However, her patience was wearing thin. She couldn't allow Dolores to get too close to Matthew. She didn't want that to happen.

"Dolores, this is for table number two. Go serve them."

Dolores nodded, but a nagging pain throbbed in her lower abdomen. She couldn't tell if it was due to lack of sleep or standing for long hours at work, or both.

She carried the tray of food toward table number two but caught a glimpse of Helen before reaching the table. And sitting opposite Helen was none other than Matthew.

Dolores hesitated for a moment but quickly regained her composure. She was at work and couldn't avoid facing them.

With a polite smile on her face, she greeted them, "Your food is here."

As she placed a dish in front of Matthew, he suddenly grabbed her wrist. "What the hell are you doing here?"

His tone was demanding and cold. His gaze lingered on her attire— a white shirt, black vest, and a short skirt that revealed her long legs to any onlooker. He stared at her legs for a few seconds, and his expression darkened. What kind of outfit was this? Who was she trying to impress with her body? She was a married woman, so why did she have to work in such a place?

Dolores maintained her professional smile and replied, "I got a job here."

Matthew furrowed his brow, his anger palpable. She had pursued that translation job for money the previous night, and now she was working as a waitress. Was the Flores family truly desperate?

"Could you please let go of my hand?"

Dolores couldn't understand Matthew's actions. She was simply earning money for herself.

Helen held Matthew's hand and whispered, "Matthew, people are watching. Let's talk outside."

Nobody knew about Matthew and Dolores' marriage, and Helen didn't want the public to find out.

Matthew stared at Dolores for a few more moments before managing to suppress his anger. He let go of her wrist.

"I don't want you to keep working here."

Dolores could only focus on the persistent pain in her belly. Beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead. She wanted to argue, but her physical condition wouldn't allow it. She could only pick up the tray and leave.

As soon as she could, she put down the tray and hurried into the bathroom. The sudden pain frightened her, but luckily, there was no sign of blood.

Exiting the stall, she stood by the sink, speaking to her stomach while gently caressing it. "Settle down, my precious baby."

She needed to earn money to take care of her mother and the child growing inside her.

Helen entered the bathroom and coincidentally overheard Dolores talking to herself. Her gaze fixated on Dolores' belly, and all color drained from her face.

Dolores noticed the change in Helen's expression and quickly explained, "The baby doesn't belong to Matthew, so you don't have to worry."

Dolores smiled and tried to pass by Helen, eager to leave the bathroom.

"Is your baby two months old?" Helen turned around and asked.

Dolores froze in her tracks, turning back to face Helen. "How did you know?"

"I-I can tell by your baby bump," Helen replied, thinking on her feet.

Dolores had been pregnant all along? And to make matters worse, the baby could potentially be Matthew's. As expected, Helen couldn't allow Dolores to stay by Matthew's side any longer. She suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to eliminate this woman from Matthew's life.

Dolores walked out of the bathroom and was immediately pulled out of the restaurant by Matthew.

Already feeling uncomfortable, being pulled around only intensified the pain coursing through her body.

"Let me go!" She wanted to yell at him, but her voice was weak from the pain.

Matthew dragged her to the curb and finally released his grip.

He stared at her with a deadly serious expression. "If you need money, you can just tell me. There's no need for this act in front of me!"

He couldn't comprehend Dolores at all. He couldn't understand her motives behind her actions.

Dolores clenched her lips tightly, struggling to endure the pain coursing through her body.

Just as she felt herself on the verge of collapsing, Sampson hurried toward them. "Lola, I've been looking for you, but I never expected to find you here. Are you alright?"

Being a psychologist, he was well-versed in understanding the human body. Despite Dolores' attempt to conceal her discomfort, Sampson couldn't help but notice her agony.

Since parting ways with her at the hospital, he had searched for Jessica and discovered the truth about Dolores' pregnancy. He couldn't quite describe the emotions swirling within him, but they were far from pleasant.

If she had been burdened with such troubles, why hadn't she sought his help?

He had wanted to find her, but he had no idea where she was staying. As a result, he took a chance and returned to the place they had met the day before, luckily crossing paths with her.

Dolores could hardly focus on anything else. The pain in her abdomen was unbearable.

She grabbed Sampson's arm, pleading, "Please, take me to the hospital immediately."

Sampson glanced at her swollen belly and was about to lift her when a large hand landed on his shoulder.

He turned around and faced Matthew's darkened expression. "She's my wife," Matthew stated, his tone carrying a subtle yet intimidating force.

It was an obvious threat. Dolores was his wife, and he made it clear that no one could lay a hand on her.

Sampson smiled at him, a hint of sarcasm in his expression. "So, you two are husband and wife?"

Before Matthew could respond, Sampson added, "You're only together because of an arrangement. You would never marry a pregnant woman."

Suddenly, Matthew glared at him with narrowed eyes. "Is the child yours?"