Chapter 7 What A Coincidence

"Oh, my goodness, what's the matter? Did Mathias do something to you? I'll go have a word with the Murrays tomorrow. No one is allowed to mistreat my precious daughter." My mom was immediately alarmed and sat down beside me on the bed, enveloping me in a tight hug.

"Mom, it's not Mathias... I'm just overwhelmed. You've been so good to me," I said, wrapping my arms around her waist as I fought back tears.

In reality, Mathias hadn't mistreated me. My emotional turmoil was self-inflicted, born of my own fanciful expectations.

He was a straightforward scoundrel, while I was a naive and lovestruck fool.

My mom gently rubbed my back and sighed deeply. As her only daughter, she knows me well. How could she be unaware of the struggles I'd faced with Mathias?

I wasn't one to cry over trivial matters; my tears only came whenever I had been genuinely wronged.

"Do you still want that roast chicken?" she inquired.

"Yes, I've been craving it," I answered, wiping away my tears. Grasping my mom's hand for support, I got out of bed and headed downstairs to enjoy the roast chicken.

My dad had likely gone to bed already, leaving just my mom and me in the dining room, engaged in conversation. The roast chicken tasted incredible, and I found myself devouring most of it. Having eaten sparingly over the past few years, this sudden indulgence left my stomach feeling uncomfortably full, almost to the point of nausea.

My mom gently patted my back and said, "Why did you eat so much? You might find it hard to sleep."

"I was just too hungry," I admitted with a sheepish laugh. The last time I'd eaten with such gusto was at my graduation ceremony. Since then, my marriage to Mathias had been a long saga of sorrows and grievances.

"You ought to eat at a leisurely pace, even when you're hungry. Aim to stop when you're about 80% full," my mom said gently.

Feeling playful, I linked arms with her. "Mom, would you stay with me tonight? Perhaps you could share some health wisdom with me?"

Without hesitation, my mom agreed.

The following morning, a sense of unparalleled relaxation washed over me. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at home, I set out for the hospital.

Phil was engrossed in his phone. His leg hadn't suffered bone damage, but the flesh wound was significant. Stitches held the gash together, and thick gauze restricted any careless movements.

"Why are you here, Ma'am?" Phil looked up, his expression a mix of surprise and slight embarrassment. "Honestly, you don't need to concern yourself with me this much."

How could I not? My smile was warm and comforting. I gestured to Lanny. "Lanny, would you bring those items in, please?"

Lanny carried in a selection of nutritional supplements and set them next to Phil's bed.

Seeing the level of care that went into my selection, Phil appeared touched and somewhat sheepish. "Miss, it's really just a superficial injury. Nothing to worry about."

"Every part of us is a gift from our parents. Even a minor injury deserves attention," I responded, taking a seat beside the bed.

"Speaking of which, I still don't even know your name," Phil remarked.

"My surname is Fletcher. You can call me Rylie," I said.

Phil nodded in agreement. "Alright, Rylie."

We passed the time in the hospital room, conversing casually. College students tend to have uncomplicated, straightforward thoughts. Phil was no exception. He was a junior majoring in civil engineering, and he had decided to spend his summer holiday working part-time.

He spoke enthusiastically about his future and his cherished girlfriend. His aspiration was to secure stable employment after completing his education and then marry the woman he adored.

I couldn't help but scoff, just a little, before quickly catching myself.

Phil paused, then ventured, "Rylie, what made you laugh?"

Smiling, I touched my nose. "Oh, nothing really. Seeing you so optimistic takes me back to my college days, when the future was painted with such lovely colors."

"Which university did you attend?" Phil asked curiously.

I met his gaze squarely. "Oldston University," I said

As it happened, Mathias and I were the seniors of Olivia and Phil at the same institution.

Phil's face lit up when I said that. "Wow, we're alumni of the same school. You're my senior!"

Forcing a smile, I replied, "Yes, quite the coincidence, isn't it?"

Oldston was home to several universities, but ours ranked among the top three nationally. Anyone admitted to this prestigious institution, regardless of their financial standing, was bound to be exceptionally intelligent and had a bright future in store. Their prosperity was almost guaranteed, even if immense wealth was not.

Had Olivia never crossed paths with Mathias, many of Phil's dreams would probably realize.

Soon enough, Phil and I were engrossed in a lively discussion about our alma mater. He was a sociable person, and I could hold my own in conversation. Just as we were enjoying our exchange, a voice, as clear and pleasing as a ringing bell, interrupted us. "Phil, I'm here to visit you!"

At that moment, the distinct ringtone that Mathias had used in my former life resounded in my mind.

The voice was identical, down to the very tone.

I turned my head and saw Olivia. She was dressed in a pure white chiffon skirt, her dark hair cascading down with the ends naturally curled. This added a feminine touch to her innocence; she appeared both charming and lovely.

I wasn't envious of her beauty, but the youthful vitality emanating from her twenty-year-old self did make me feel somewhat bitter.

When I was twenty years of age, I had already harbored a secret affection for Mathias for two years. That unrequited affection endured for four years, right up until the time I married him.

Though marrying him seemed like a grand accomplishment at the time, I realized later that my vitality and my purest emotions had been completely drained by that soul-crushing, unrequited love.

Why was it that Olivia, at the same age, was the object of Mathias's ardent affection, while I couldn't even secure a tender glance from him?

"Olivia!" Upon seeing Olivia, joy spread across Phil's face, followed quickly by a look of guilt. "Ah, had I known you were coming, I wouldn't have told you, so as not to cause you worry."

Gracefully approaching, Olivia carried a basket of fruit. "You're so foolish; how could you not tell me that you were injured?"

I rose to my feet, offering Olivia the only chair in the room.

My demeanor remained composed. After all, I would have to concede Mathias to her eventually. What did a chair matter in the grand scheme of things?

"Oh, Ma'am, it's you!" Olivia's eyes widened when he recognized me. "What brings you here?"

"It was because I ran into the man you so deeply adore," I thought to myself.

I offered an awkward smile. "I'm sorry, I accidentally ran into Phil and just came to check on how he's doing today."

Olivia glanced from me to Phil. Surprisingly, she didn't express blame towards either of us, but instead smiled, "What a coincidence. Phil, she's a regular at our restaurant, often coming in for coffee. She's quite nice. It must have been an accident."

Her understanding rendered me speechless. While the incident might have been unintentional for anyone else, it certainly wasn't for me. I had timed the encounter perfectly.

"I know. Rylie definitely didn't do it on purpose," Phil said, scratching his head in a display of embarrassment. "She even gave me extra money as compensation, which makes me feel a bit awkward."

"That won't be necessary. Compensating what is due is more than enough," Olivia responded, quickly pulling out her phone. "Rylie, could you please give me a payment code? I'd like to refund the extra money to you."

Could it be this type of humble demeanor and indifference towards material wealth that drew Mathias to her?

Here was a girl with not a hint of materialism, whose eyes radiated nothing but purity.

I had to admit defeat. Each time I encountered her, she managed to make my expensive wardrobe feel incredibly insignificant.