‘He’s your husband?’ Zac asked quietly, standing next to her.
She heard the unmistakable hurt and shock in Zac’s voice.
Mortified to be at the centre of this horrible scene, Melody wished the ground would open up and swallow herwhole. ‘Unfortunately, he is,’ she said, hoping that Zac would understand that their marriage really was a thing of the past.
She saw Zac look from her to Rhys then back at her again. ‘You two clearly have things to discuss,’ he said matter-of-factly. ‘Would you like me to leave you to it, or would you rather I stay?’
Melody was relieved to hear him offer to stay with her. On the one hand she would much rather Zac be there with her. The thought of spending time alone with Rhys wasn’t one she relished, but would it be fair to Zac? She studied his face, her feelings for him increasing as she saw his concern and that he wanted to support her. Then turning to Rhys and the smug expression on his face, she knew he thought once again that he was in control of the situation. He was about to start dictating what she should do next, of that she was certain.
‘If you wouldn’t mind staying, Zac,’ she said, giving him a grateful smile. ‘I’d prefer you to do so.’
Rhys stepped forward again, all smugness vanished and fury on his tight-lipped face. ‘Now, Melody, you know we have private matters to discuss that others shouldn’t be party to.’
‘I think Melody has decided what she would prefer,’ Zac said, his voice calm. ‘And that’s enough for me.’
‘This is nothing to do with you,’ Rhys said, scowling first at Zac and then at her.
Melody’s stomach ached and she felt sick, instantly taken back to the many other times he had bullied her into submission. Well, not this time. She had finally managed to get away from him and although she had no idea where she would go after her time at Hollyhock Farm came to an end, she was determined that it would be somewhere far away from this vile man.
Zac glanced at her and when she didn’t speak, he said, ‘I think your opinion isn’t relevant.’
Hearing Zac’s firm voice, she managed to find the courage to speak again. ‘You came here uninvited, Rhys. I don’t have tospeak to you if I don’t want to. And I don’t, so you may as well leave.’
She heard footsteps and saw Brodie and Lettie coming back outside.
‘What’s going on?’ Brodie asked. ‘Is this man bothering you, Melody?’
‘I’m her damn husband,’ Rhys spat. ‘And I’m here to speak to my wife.’
‘What?’
Melody heard the shock in Lettie’s voice and guilt rushed through her that she hadn’t yet confided in her friend.
‘I left you, Rhys. I think we can safely assume that I have endured enough of your behaviour,’ Melody snapped, sounding far stronger than she felt. ‘And I’ve already told you I don’t wish to speak to you.’
Zac folded his arms and Lettie and Brodie walked over to stand on Melody’s other side.
‘I think you’ve been asked to leave,’ Lettie said. ‘Now I believe you should do so.’
He glared at each of them in turn. Melody’s heart raced as his gaze stopped on her for a few seconds and it took everything in her power to stop from withering under his scrutiny.Hang in there, she told herself.Keep strong.
His eyes moved to rest on Zac. ‘And who is this, Mel? My replacement?’
Melody cringed. ‘Just leave, Rhys.’ She began to tremble, then felt Zac’s arm go around her shoulders and calmed slightly.
‘I think it’s obvious from what Melody has told us that you are separated, so what I am to Melody really isn’t any of your business,’ Zac said. ‘Now are you going to leave this farm or would you rather I accompany you off it?’
Rhys’s eyes snapped to Melody. ‘Whatever your boyfriend seems to think, we’re still legally married and don’t you forgetit.’ He laughed. ‘This isn’t the last you’ll see of me either. I have things to say to you and you will listen to them.’
She knew he wasn’t bluffing but didn’t give him the satisfaction of showing how frightened she was to hear his threat.
‘What on earth is he doing here?’ Patsy shrieked, hurrying to Melody and slipping her arm around her granddaughter’s waist. ‘Get the hell out of here now, Rhys. You have no right to be here.’
Hating to hear Patsy upset, Zac stepped forward and Rhys raised his hands. ‘It’s fine. I’m going but this isn’t the last of it. Not by a long shot.’
They watched as he got into his hire car and sped down the driveway, the tyres kicking up clouds of dust.
‘Are you OK?’ Zac asked gently.
