Chapter 122 - A Reality Check

31 December, Matthew's Villa, City K

Hearing that, Matthew was angered. He was not ignoring her, nor did he dump her here. Like her he had a job and he could not avoid work. The problem was that she needed to hate a reality check, and it was likely that she was not going to like the harsh truth it would deliver.

"Lexi Rong." Matthew firmly, but without any aggression observing Lexi who went white with those two words. Continuing, Matthew said "I have let you have your say, but now you will listen to me. Let be be absolutely clear I did not dump you here. I personally arranged for my adjunct to transport you here after the doctors confirmed your discharge from Hospital. Today we officially my first day on base and I had no option but to remain there all way, despite wanting to accompany you home. You forget, like you I have a job. But unlike you who owns your own business I have superiors that I an accountable to."

Taking a quick breath, Matthew continued "But let me make this clear, you need to get over yourself, the world does not revolve around you. You are not always the most important person to be considered. My career is just as important as your career, I love it and I intend to continue to purse it, and you supported that choice when I started my journey. And before you argue about it I am not going to prevent you from pursuing your career when you are cleared to return to work. But you will have security with you for your protection. The one thing that you will not like, is that you are restricted in travelling without either the military or my approval. Before you accuse me of restricting you, that is not the case."

Matthew could see the anger start to cross Lexi's face again.

"Before you react, let me finish. I have, over the last few days constantly let you say your peace, but now you will let me finish. Regardless of whether or not you like it, you are the wife of a General in the Army. For each and every spouse of a Army General, and there are female generals so do not accuse me of being s.e.xist, there are restrictions on your movements. I am not singling you out, nor will your family wealth give you any special treatment. You will simply be treated the same as every other spouse with those restrictions."

"And before you accuse me of going behind your back, it was Andrew, Chester and Phillip who arranged that, and Dominic was fully involved. The staff were aware that this is Dominic's new home and that he needed to be happy and comfortable so as long as his request was reasonable and age appropriate they made the arrangements to ensure he was happy and comfortable. Dominic will be safe here. But, at least for the moment he will have security accompanying him when he leaves the Villa including at school and his extra-curricular activities."

"Now, as to your point about this not being a real marriage, you want to have me consider agreeing to a divorce in the future if we cannot make this work, try. You need to get this through your head, you cannot simply apply for a divorce, I must consent to it. Unless you give this marriage a proper chance to succeed, I will not agree and there is nothing you can do."

"I will not force you to be intimate with me, despite what happened after our marriage while we were held captive. What happened there was about keeping you safe, as even what you saw would tell you if we refused, we would have been killed. I was never willing to risk your life for anything. But we will be sleeping in the same bed as any husband and wife. What happens there will only be by both our consent. I am willing, so the choice will be yours my wife."

"You, You, You…"

"Lexi, the choice is yours. Give this marriage a chance, and if it fails, I will agree to you getting your desired divorce. However, if you want to take every step to oppose it you have no hope because I will not agree unless it is in my interests to do so. It is your choice."

"That is so unfair, not only on me but for Dominic."

"Lexi, do not use your son as a shield. While he is the son from your marriage, he could have been our child. However, that does not matter. I can promise you that I will treat him as if he was my own child and do everything I can to ensure that I do not deliberately hurt him. I am realistic that I may disappoint him at times, and that may include things because my military duties. Now you need to make your choice, as we cannot continue to mess the staff around as I know they all have plans for New Years Eve. And before you complain about your plans, Andrew, Chester and Phillip will be here in," Matthew glanced at his watch before continuing "just over an hour. Now let us go have dinner before they arrive."

"Do not tell me…"

Completely angry with the childish behaviour Lexi was displaying Matthew said, "Stop it Lexi, you are not a child and it is totally unacceptable." With that Matthew stood up and opened the door without waiting for her.

He turned and noticed that Lexi was still sitting down, so he moved and swept her into his arms and walked towards the dining room. Dominic was running down the stairs and seeing him mother in his stepfather's arms said, "Mum you look good there."

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