True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 583

"Matthew!" Naomi gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Her eyes welled up instantly.

"Move faster," Frank urged, and the three of them quickened their pace.

A moment later, the blur of tumbling figures came to a halt.

Frank and the others caught up, breathless.

"How bad is it?" Ethan asked, voice tight with worry.

"Let me check." Alfred knelt down to examine both of them.

Frank stood to the side, his expression dark and unreadable. He looked deeply concerned.

"I'm all right," came Matthew's voice.

Then they saw Matthew helping Arabella sit up. "How do you feel?" he asked, his tone low.

Arabella winced, her face pale. "Just... scrapes and bruises, I think."

But it hurt—a lot more than she let on.

"Nothing seems broken, but these cuts need to be cleaned before they get infected," Alfred said, sounding frustrated. "Wish we'd brought a first-aid kit."

It was supposed to be a simple hike. He hadn't expected anything like this.

"Let's get back, then," Ethan said quickly. "Arabella, hang in there. I can carry you down."

Before he could even step forward, Matthew had already lifted Arabella into his arms and started walking.

The others exchanged glances before hurrying after them.

Naomi bit her lip and followed, her steps rushed.

Pressed against Matthew's chest, Arabella could feel his rushed breaths. She studied his profile, a little dazed.

She remembered tumbling, her body slamming against dirt and rocks—then suddenly being pulled into a firm, warm hold. In that instant, the panic had subsided.

She just never expected it to be Matthew who'd shielded her.

"Mr. Stewart... are you okay?" she asked softly.

She could feel the sting of scrapes all over her own skin. He must have been hurt, too.

"I'm fine," Matthew replied steadily. "You're going to be okay."

Arabella pressed her lips together, her eyes lingering on the line of his jaw as her thoughts drifted.

The climb up had been tough enough. Now he was carrying her downhill, moving fast.

She felt him stumble a couple of times, but his hold on her never loosened, keeping her securely against him.

For some reason, a faint, unfamiliar feeling flickered in her chest—but it passed before she could grasp it.

"Just hang on a little longer, Arabella," Alfred said as he caught up beside them. "Frank already called ahead. There's a doctor waiting at the house."

"Don't worry, we're all right here with you," Ethan added, keeping pace.

"I'm fine. I'll go change," Matthew said evenly before heading to his own room.

The others lingered outside Arabella's door, exchanging uneasy looks.

"Frank, what happened out there? How did Arabella get hurt?" Florence asked, her voice tense.

After a brief pause, Frank replied, "It was an accident."

"An accident? How?" Florence pressed.

"It was my fault," Naomi spoke up, her eyes red-rimmed. "I lost my footing and bumped into Arabella. She fell down the slope because of me. It should've been me—not her."

The group turned to Naomi, only then noticing the blood on her palm.

"Naomi, you're hurt too! Let the doctor see that once he's done," Florence exclaimed.

Naomi tucked her hand behind her back. "It's nothing. I'll just wash it and put some antiseptic on it."

Then she looked toward the bedroom door, her voice trembling slightly. "I just want Arabella to be okay."

"She's being taken care of now. Let's wait for the doctor to finish," Florence said, guiding Naomi to sit. "But you can't just ignore your hand."

"Mom, I'm really worried about her," Naomi whispered, voice cracking.

Florence sighed softly and put an arm around her. "She'll be alright, sweetheart."

After a while, the doctor emerged from the room.