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“If you stay with that spoiled brat, then don’t bother coming back home either,” Dedrick hissed into her ear, and she gave Melanie an apologetic look before turning on her heels and, with no words, walked away beside her toxic husband.
I swear I could hear Melanie’s heart breaking in two as she watched her parents walking down the hospital hallway until they were no longer in sight. She bit her bottom lip, inhaling deeply as a single tear dropped down the corner of her eye, and Melanie quickly wiped it away. I slid my hands around her trembling waist and pulled her in for a hug. I held her in my arms, caressing the back of her head.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whispered, wishing I could take her pain away.
Melanie inhaled deeply, rubbing her eyes. “It’s nothing. I’m used to it.”
“It’s okay, babe. You can cry,” I said, cupping her cheeks in my hands, our eyes locked.
“They’re not worth my tears,” she stated dryly. I could tell she was hurting, but she didn’t want to show it. She didn’t want me to pity her.
“You’re right. They’re not.” I stroked her cheek with my thumb, and she smiled through her watery eyes. She was so strong. I admired her. Many would break, but she didn’t. Every time she fell, she rose. Stronger, more determined. Despite people stripping down her soul, she kept moving forward like the true warrior she was. But everybody has their limits. It was just a matter of time until she would reach hers. And by the time one reaches their limits, their heart turns into ice so that nothing and no one can hurt them ever again.
“You should rest,” I said, realizing she’d just donated her blood and must’ve felt dizzy. “Did the doctor say anything about the transfusion? Is Callan better?”
Melanie’s eyes darted between mine before she replied, “I… didn’t donate my blood.” She seemed abashed, and I frowned. “It turned out I have…” She hesitated. She didn’t sound convincing at all and to be fair, I got suspicious. “A minor infection and they didn’t want to risk transmitting the virus.”
I nodded, deciding it’d been a hell of a day for both of us. I didn’t want to add more stress than she already had to cope with. I didn’t believe in the minor infection because, first off, I spent the past few days with Melanie, and she seemed perfectly fine. Second, she was a bad liar. But I couldn’t deny she got me worried. “Is it something serious?”
“Nothing to worry about.” She forced a smile. “I’m glad Wyatt showed up. He’s a match, and the doctors went with him. I was worried they wouldn’t find another donor fast enough. Wyatt was like a gift from heaven.”
“You’re very concerned about Callan,” I stated, and Melanie seemed perplexed.
“He’s your friend. Of course, I worry about him.”
“Mr. Vergoossen.” Dr. Zeng’s voice caught our attention, and we both turned to face him. “We managed to stabilize Mr. Sinclair’s state. We took out the bullet and stopped the internal bleeding. The blood transfusion went well. He’s stable now.”
“Oh, thank God,” I said with relief. It felt like a huge weight was taken off my shoulders. “Thank you, doc.”
The doctor smiled, shaking my hand before he headed for one of the rooms. Melanie’s eyes brightened, and she smiled, looking at me before I hugged her.
“I love you, Shane,” she whispered as I held her in my arms. “I love that you care about your close friends. That you aren’t entitled like other people in our society. I’m in love with you.”
I gently pulled back to look into her eyes that were gazing at mine with relief. “I’m in love with you, too, Melanie.”
~••~
After my men arrived at the hospital, Melanie and I went back to my penthouse. Melanie was oddly quiet on our way back there, and I wondered what was on her mind. Ever since she left the doctor’s office, she seemed pensive. I assumed it was because of the bitter goodbye she had with her parents. Melanie went to the bedroom to change, and I threw the tux jacket I’d worn on the couch. I got rid of the tie. I swear I’d been counting down the minutes until I could take it off. I hated ties. I undid a few buttons and rolled up my shirtsleeves before pouring myself a glass of whiskey when my phone screen on the table lit up.
“What now?” I breathed out, exhausted with the never-ending issues.
I clenched my teeth, staring at the text that made my blood boil.
From: Sofia
I miss you.
Sent Sunday 1:22 AM
I drank the whiskey in one go, anger flowing through my veins. The audacity of that woman, she had no boundaries. I didn’t want her in my life. Not anymore. Not after I met Melanie. She was my past, and that was where she should’ve stayed.
“I’m going to take a shower.” Melanie’s seductive tone rang in my ears, and I looked at her. She leaned against the wall dividing the living room and the hallway, staring at me sultrily. My gaze followed the length of her body, covered only with a white towel wrapped around her breasts. She was smirking, slowly biting her bottom lip.
“Damn,” I whispered, gawking at her like I was mesmerized. I threw the phone away, my anger replaced with lust. “You want to be the reason I go crazy?” I said teasingly, my eyes still on her. “Because you’re succeeding.”
She chuckled softly, playing with her hair. “I want you to join me,” she whispered, her tone provocative as she roamed her hand down her body. “I’m going to be…wet.” She turned around, letting the towel fall onto the floor before turning her head and winking as she walked to the bathroom, naked, swaying her hips. I was burning. The sight of her round butt was enough to drain my blood straight to my dick. A sly smirk formed on my lips as I shook my head.
That woman will be the death of me one day.
