Chapter 6
In everyone's eyes, Regina had naturally become the poor girl who was left behind.
It was still a little awkward, no matter how much she tried to hide it.
Luckily, after all these years, she had grown a thick skin.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Regina did her best to steer clear of Matthew and Evelyn.
But no matter what, she couldn't avoid running into them.
Judging by Evelyn's look, Regina knew it wasn't that she couldn't dodge her. It was that Evelyn was deliberately waiting for her.
Evelyn's expression was sour, and her tone even more curt than before.
"Regina, what's your game? You clearly promised me last time you'd stop bothering Matthew. So why are you still pulling tricks behind my back, trying to turn his mother against us?"
Regina frowned, "I think you've got it wrong. I've never said a word against you to Daisy."
Evelyn sneered, "Got it wrong? Everyone is saying Mrs. Quinn only recognizes you as her future daughter-in-law. If you hadn't said something behind my back, why else would she be so hostile toward me?"
Regina couldn't understand how it was her fault that Daisy didn't like her.
Regina didn't know what to say.
"Dr. Lynn, I'm busy and don't have time to get involved in your quarrels with the Quinn family. If Mrs. Quinn dislikes you, maybe you should reflect on yourself instead of dragging me into this mess."
Evelyn's tone dripped with sarcasm.
"You say you haven't meddled? Then explain this. Why does Mrs. Quinn always bring you up whenever I visit her? She's always going on about how 'Regina's been so sensible since she was little' and 'Regina's medical skills are top-notch.'"
"Regina, if you're going to do something, at least own it! You put on this big act of generosity in front of Matthew, but behind his back, you're stirring his mother up against me. What exactly is your game?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "What's wrong with what Mrs. Quinn said? I have really been sensible since I was a kid, and my medical skills are genuinely good. What's wrong with her praise? Just because Daisy complimented me, you have to make a fuss? If she praised Luna, would you go argue with her too?"
"Who's Luna?" Evelyn asked.
Regina almost laughed at Evelyn's question.
Luna was just a stray dog who wagged her tail at everyone she saw.
Regina had said it casually, but Evelyn actually took it seriously.
But if she told Evelyn that Luna was just a dog, would Evelyn think she was comparing her to a dog?
Regina quickly changed the subject.
"Dr. Lynn, I've already said Matthew and I are just friends. Whatever's going on between you two has nothing to do with me. If you insist on thinking I'm scheming behind your back, then there's nothing more I can say."
With that, she walked past Evelyn and headed for the door.
"Stop right there!" Evelyn raised her voice behind her, drawing curious glances from the passing medical staff.
"Regina, I want you to remember your place. Matthew and I have already filed for our marriage registration. I'm his fiancée now. From now on, stay away from him and his family. Don't show up around them anymore."
Regina's irritation flared. "Dr. Lynn, even if you're Matthew's wife, so what? I've lived in this place for twenty years. Are you telling me I'm not allowed to come back home just because you don't want me near his family? Who gave you the right to order me around?"
Regina tried to back away step by step, but they closed in on her relentlessly.
It seemed they really thought she was that easy to push around.
She turned to leave, only to find Matthew standing right behind her.
Matthew looked at Regina with cold, piercing eyes.
"Dr. Whitman, I was in the wrong back then. When you were pursuing me, I never clearly told you no. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea. Evelyn and I are about to get married, so I ask you to give her the respect she deserves," Matthew said.
Regina's face flushed bright red.
She was seething.
She had just been telling the truth. She thought, 'Who does Evelyn think she is, telling me what to do?'
But Matthew actually said something like that.
He had to know exactly what he was implying.
He was basically calling her shameless, accusing her of clinging to him and refusing to take no for an answer.
To stand up for Evelyn, Matthew was willing to trample all over Regina's dignity.
Their two families had always been so close.
Regina had never imagined she and Matthew would end up like this, their relationship torn apart.
Seeing the crowd gathered around, pointing fingers and whispering, Regina felt both humiliated and wronged.
Ever since she traveled back, she'd never done anything wrong to them. She couldn't accept their humiliation over and over again.
If she really were just twenty, she probably would have been too ashamed and angry to face anyone.
But having lived her life again, she finally snapped.
"Captain Quinn, I want you to understand something too. Back then, I only chased after you because we grew up in the same community. I just saw you as an older brother. Since you think I'm a bother, don't worry. From now on, you do your thing, and I'll do mine. Let's just be strangers."
"But since we still live in the same community, I'll send my wedding gift when you get married, and I'll sincerely wish you and Evelyn a long, happy life together. And please, don't keep coming to me just to get attention. You might not mind, but I find it annoying."
Matthew was stunned for a moment by her words. He'd always known Regina had feelings for him.
He didn't reject her because their families were close, and he didn't want to strain their relationship.
But it was precisely because he didn't say no that he ended up with regrets in his past life.