Chapter 5
She quietly found Evelyn and handed her the ointment she had prepared.
"Dr. Lynn, this is a family heirloom ointment that helps with Matthew's injuries. He refuses to accept my kindness, but I know you care about his health. So..."
Before Regina could finish, Evelyn cut her off immediately.
"Dr. Whitman, Matthew's health is in my hands, so you don't need to worry. I hope you'll keep your distance from him and stop fussing over him like that. You know, sometimes your so-called concern just ends up causing trouble for others."
Evelyn's words made Regina feel awkward, but she kept her composure. "I'm only doing my job as a doctor. I can't stand to see such an outstanding officer's future at risk..."
"Enough!" Evelyn snapped, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Duty? There are so many wounded in this hospital. Why don't I ever see you being so dutiful to anyone else? Regina, we both know how things really are. Matthew is with me now, and I hope you'll keep your distance. I don't want people gossiping that I stole your fiancé."
"You come from a good family, so maybe you don't care about your reputation, but my parents always taught me never to interfere in someone else's relationship."
"Keep your ointment for those who really need it. Matthew's health is under my care."
Regina looked at Evelyn's delicate yet guarded face and suddenly felt a wave of weariness.
But she still insisted on handing the ointment to Evelyn.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in Matthew. I'm just trying to help him. If you truly care about him, then at least let him try this ointment."
Without waiting for Evelyn's response, she turned and left.
Evelyn sneered at the ointment in her hand and casually threw it into the trash.
After handing over the ointment, Regina felt a bit more at ease.
Over the weekend, she finally found time to visit her parents.
But before she even reached her front door, a warm voice called out to her.
"Regina, there you are! I've been looking for you!"
Matthew's mother, Daisy Quinn, hurried over with a shopping basket, grabbed Regina's hand without asking, and gave her a once-over.
"Look at those dark circles. You must be worn out from the hospital. You've lost a lot of weight."
She squeezed Regina's wrist tenderly, full of concern.
"Come have dinner at my place tonight. I've made chicken soup to help you get your strength back."
Regina instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Daisy held on even tighter.
Before, this kind of affection would have warmed her heart, but now it just made her feel awkward.
Regina forced a smile. "Mrs. Quinn, really, you don't have to. I..."
"Why are you being so formal with me?" Daisy interrupted gently.
"I've watched you grow up. How come now that you're grown, you're acting so distant from me?"
As Regina hesitated, unsure how to decline, a familiar voice rang out from behind her.
"Mom."
Regina froze and slowly turned around.
Matthew stood a short distance away, leaning on a cane, and beside him, Evelyn was gently holding his arm.
The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.
Daisy's smile froze, and she gave Evelyn a sharp, displeased look.
Matthew approached his mother, supporting himself on his cane. His eyes briefly glanced at Regina without stopping, then he introduced Evelyn to his mother.
"Mom, this is Evelyn, my girlfriend."
He gently took Evelyn's hand as he spoke. "Evelyn, this is my mother."
Evelyn stepped forward, a little nervously. "Hello, Mrs. Quinn."
Daisy's face changed repeatedly as she glanced between her son and Evelyn.
Finally, her eyes settled on Regina, and she instinctively squeezed Regina's hand tighter.
Seeing his mother like that, Matthew frowned and spoke up.
"Mom, Dr. Whitman has things to attend to. Don't hold her up. Besides, this is the first time I'm bringing my girlfriend home. It's not appropriate to have outsiders around."
Daisy had been trying to maintain her composure, but her son's words made her heart sink. Daisy thought even now that he had a fiancée, he couldn't treat Regina, who grew up with him, like this.
After all, Regina was the one she had always considered her son's future wife.
"Matthew, what are you talking about? Outsider? Regina is no outsider to me. You call her Dr. Whitman? You used to call her Gina, remember? What's going on between you two? And what about her..."
Before Daisy could finish, Regina quickly cut her off and pulled her hand away.
"Mrs. Quinn, I haven't seen my parents in so long. I'm going home first."
"Regina, wait..." Daisy called out, wanting to say more.
But Regina had already turned and was almost running toward her own yard.
She faintly heard Daisy's voice, struggling to contain her anger.
"Matthew, what are you doing? Are you trying to drive me crazy? You and Gina..."
"Mom, I like Evelyn, not Regina. Please don't keep bringing Regina into this. It'll just make Evelyn misunderstand."
The iron gate clicked shut behind Regina, shutting out all the awkwardness from outside.
She looked at the familiar courtyard, inhaled the comforting aroma of home-cooked meals, and shouted out.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!"
The Whitman family was filled with joy and harmony.
But the atmosphere at the Quinn's was tense and awkward.
After that day, rumors began to spread throughout the military compound.
"Did you hear? Matthew brought his girlfriend home, but Daisy didn't even let her through the door!"
"Honestly, Colonel Whitman's daughter is amazing. She and Matthew grew up together, and her family has a strong medical background. Daisy treats her like her own daughter."
"Exactly! I was there that day. When Daisy saw Dr. Lynn, her face actually went livid..."
"We all know what Regina's really thinking. We thought those two would end up together, but then out of nowhere, someone else swooped in and stole him away."
These rumors inevitably reached Regina's ears.
She could only grit her teeth and pretend not to hear them.
She had only herself to blame. After all, she used to be like a tag-along, following Matthew wherever he went.
All their neighbors knew about her feelings for him.
But now Matthew was getting married, and the bride was Evelyn.