Clarissa was dumbfounded by his retort. Disappointed? What does he mean?
Should I thank him?
“Thank you, Uncle Matthew, I…”
She trailed off hesitantly as Matthew seemed mad.
Matthew brought her back to his room and wrapped her up in a blanket. Ellie arrived soon with a doctor in her wake. The doctor carefully examined Clarissa while Matthew sat across them wordlessly, staring at her ashen complexion.
Even Ellie could sense Matthew was seething with rage.
She didn’t think much about it. After all, it was all her fault. She immediately apologized when the doctor left.
“I’m so sorry, Clare. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I should’ve paid attention to you. It was all my fault—”
“Ellie Tyson!”
Before Clarissa could speak, Matthew called Ellie’s name sternly. He gazed at her wordlessly, but Ellie shuddered in fear instinctively.
“She might die!”
Matthew was curt, but his words were harsh nonetheless.
Instantly, Ellie burst into tears and flung her arms around Clarissa.
“I’m sorry, Clare. I won’t be so careless in the future.”
Clarissa was stunned by her outburst. With a trembling voice, she said, “Uncle Matthew, this isn’t Ellie’s fault. No one had expected that prank. Don’t be mad. I’m sorry for everything.”
Her apology didn’t manage to quell his anger. Instead, his scowl intensified. Puzzled, she pursed her lips and fell silent.
Matthew glared at her before standing up. He grabbed his cigarettes and left.
After he departed, Ellie wiped her tears away and patted her chest in relief.
“Oh, dear. Clare, that was horrible. I was wrong. Uncle Matt was so terrifying earlier. One would’ve thought you’re his real niece judging by how concerned he was.”
“I’m fine, really. It wasn’t your fault. I was too careless back there. After this experience, I’ve decided to learn how to swim.”
“Sure. I’ll be your instructor.”
After chatting for a while, Ellie told Clarissa to rest here. She had to teach that scum who dragged Clarissa into the pool a lesson.
The near-death experience was still traumatizing for Clarissa, but she didn’t show her fear to Ellie.
When she was finally alone, she sat up in bed. The blanket fell to her waist. Holding her earlobes, she chanted to herself, “Don’t be scared, don’t be scared.”
After repeating it a few times, she felt much more reassured. Raising her head, she was stunned to see Matthew leaning against the wall next to the bed. He was still dripping wet from jumping into the pool to save her earlier.
Even so, he was undeniably a hot mess.
Clarissa blinked while her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She dropped her hands quickly, but she didn’t realize the tiny bikini was barely covering her chest.
It took her a while to realize where Matthew was staring. She hurriedly pulled the blanket up to cover herself.
Blushing prettily, she inquired softly, “Uncle Matthew, do you need anything else?”
“This is my room.”
“Oh!” Clarissa muttered. She stood up to leave, but Matthew strode to her and placed his palm on her shoulder, leaning closer to her.
“U-Uncle Matthew!”
Clarissa was startled. Her eyelashes fluttered helplessly as Matthew felt himself being drawn deeper into her pull.
His gaze turned sharp. “Lie down!” he ordered and stood up.
After grabbing his clothes, he entered the bathroom swiftly.
When Clarissa heard the sound of running water in the bathroom, she turned her head slightly and saw the silhouette of a tall figure from behind the frosted glass.
OMG!
Screaming silently, Clarissa fidgeted in embarrassment. She wrapped herself tightly in the blanket and decided to escape.
As she walked out, she chided herself for fantasizing about an elder.
