Restoring a Life After Seven Years of Wrong Love novel Chapter 86

Charlotte didn't notice anything unusual.

Matthew was always incredibly attentive to both her and Yvette. Add in the fact that Yvette was pregnant, and it seemed perfectly logical for him to go out of his way to care for her.

Winifred, however, keenly picked up on the depth of Matthew's affection toward Yvette.

Everyone took their seats.

Matthew and Charlotte intentionally kept the conversation lively, and thanks to them, the atmosphere was joyous and warm.

The meal wrapped up on a high note.

Charlotte received a phone call regarding a last-minute work emergency and had to leave early.

Lance pulled out a chessboard and roped Matthew into sitting across from him at the small table.

Yvette sat in a chair nearby, watching the match intently.

She understood the rules well enough, even though she wasn't great at playing it herself.

At first, they were evenly matched, but Matthew gradually began to lose ground and was swiftly put in checkmate by Lance.

"This doesn't look like your usual skill level, Matthew," Lance chuckled heartily. "I prefer an opponent who can actually hold their own."

Catching the hint, Matthew stopped holding back.

He won the majority of the subsequent games.

"I'm getting old," Lance sighed playfully. "The new generation always wipes the floor with the old guard."

Matthew replied smoothly, "I only had a chance to win because you went easy on me, Mr. Yeats."

Yvette handed them a plate of sliced fruit just as her phone buzzed.

It was a call from Sybil.

"Yvette, it's your birthday today. Come over to the estate tonight. I'm throwing you a birthday dinner."

"There's no need, Grandma..."

Yvette didn't even get to finish her sentence before Sybil interrupted, "I already sent Jabez to your house to pick you up. He should be arriving right about now."

Yvette froze, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the phone.

She didn't want to see Jabez, and she definitely didn't want to be alone with him.

Jabez didn't answer. His gaze bypassed Matthew and landed on Yvette standing further inside, her beautiful face etched with clear reluctance.

Lance stepped up behind Yvette. Seeing Jabez standing at the threshold, he offered a formal greeting. "Mr. Shelby. Would you like to come in for some tea?"

Technically, Jabez was married to Yvette, meaning he should have addressed Lance as his uncle.

But Lance's deliberate use of "Mr. Shelby" established an invisible, impenetrable wall between them.

"No thank you. I'm just here for Ms. Yeats," Jabez replied coldly, his eyes locked onto Yvette.

Hearing how he addressed her, Yvette let out a dry, cynical laugh.

He was terrified Matthew would find out about their marriage.

But she genuinely didn't care what he thought anymore.

"Matthew, here's your jacket." Yvette handed the coat he'd left inside over to him.

Taking the jacket, Matthew said his goodbyes to Lance. "I'll get going then. I'll come back and play chess with you again soon."

As he spoke, he intentionally checked Jabez's reaction.