AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Scarlett sighed. “Mel, why didn’t you tell him?”
“It’s… complicated. Shane values Callan. He treats him like a brother. I didn’t want to ruin it. Besides, that part of my relationship with Callan is in the past. It was just a teenage crush.”
“If you say so.” My friend took a deep breath, putting her hand around my arm. “Let’s go get you a fucking sexy wedding dress.” She winked at me, showing off her beautiful smile, and we entered the boutique.
I was enchanted by the sophisticated design of the bridal salon, with a red carpet running through a tasteful white interior. An elegant lady in her forties greeted my friend and me with a lovely smile, offering Scarlett a seat on a grayish padded chair with golden legs while she led me to the fitting room where I was supposed to try on the wedding dresses. I felt like a princess wearing the stunning white gowns, and butterflies were dancing in my belly at the thought of me walking down the aisle toward the man I had irreversibly fallen in love with. I tried a couple of different types of wedding dresses, from lavish ball gowns to unpretentious sheaths. All of them were unique and splendid, but only one of them had stolen my heart.
“Wow,” Scarlett whispered. Her eyes grew wider as I came out of the fitting room in a Rhiannon mermaid gown from Galia Lahav’s Queen of Hearts collection with a low neckline, pearl detailing at the back, and sheer long sleeves and beaded lace. “You look stunning, Mel. That’s the one.”
“That’s the one,” I agreed, smiling as I twirled around.
~••~
That evening, I was preparing dinner, smiling to myself as I lit the candles in the dining room and decorated with red rose petals on the floor. I was ready to tell Shane about the pregnancy, and I wanted the evening to have a special charm. I prepared his favorite smoked salmon with lentils and asparagus, bought a bottle of bordeaux, and was anticipating him coming back home. Our home. I was a little nervous but also excited. I checked the time on my phone. It was six thirty p.m. Shane was running late because usually, he’d be back by now. I went to the bathroom to fix my makeup for the fiftieth time. I wanted to look good. Perfect. I wore a black off-shoulder dress with long see-through puff sleeves and painted my lips red, leaving my waves down. I glanced at my engagement ring glittering on my finger and smiled. I heard a bell ring and ran straight to open the door. Although, I found it odd that Shane used a doorbell because he’d never done that before. However, I was too excited to check who it was. I assumed it was my fiancé.
I opened the door, and my enthusiasm level went down. “Callan?” I looked at him, puzzled.
“Melanie, we need to talk,” he said, his tone serious.
I frowned. My eyes darted between his. I got a little scared that something had happened to Shane, and my heart started pounding rapidly. An unpleasant lump formed in my throat. “Okay. Come on in.”
Callan walked in, and for a second, he seemed taken aback as he scanned the room, prepared for a romantic dinner. His gaze dropped to the ground before he turned to me, setting his eyes on mine.
“What is it, Callan?” I asked impatiently, playing out the worst possible scenarios in my head.
“I can’t keep doin’ this,” he whispered, shaking his head as his brow furrowed.
“Doing what?” I narrowed my eyes, my fingers fidgeting.
“I can’t keep pretendin’ that you don’t mean anythin’ to me. That you and me… that there was nothin’ between us.”
“Callan, but—”
“I know you’re off-limits.” He rubbed his temples with his fingers. I felt lost and awkward. I genuinely believed it was all behind us, all in the past. “I know you’re with him. And I know I don’t stand a chance. I mean, what kind of woman would refuse someone like Shane Vergoossen? Rich and powerful, I can’t compete with that.”
“Callan, you know it’s never been about money or power for me. I didn’t, and I don’t care about it.”
“I know, Melanie. I know,” he said softly, moving closer toward me, looking piercingly into my eyes. “And I know you should be with him. I know he would make you happy, but I…” He paused as if contemplating his words before he let out a deep sigh. “I can’t forget about you. And when I saw the engagement ring on your finger, something broke in me.”
“What are you saying? Please don’t do that.” I shook my head, scanning his face, hoping it was just a bad joke.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.” He let out a heavy breath, running his fingers through his dyed hair before settling his gaze back on mine, his brows furrowed. “I can’t because I never stopped lovin’ you. I still love you, Melanie.”
I was rooted to the spot, and Callan grabbed my hands in his and started leaning in as if wanting to kiss me. I couldn’t move. I was completely shocked and overwhelmed.
Then I heard Shane’s raspy voice hissing behind me, and my heart skipped a beat. “Don’t. Or I’ll put a bullet in your head right on the spot,” Shane rasped through his clenched teeth as he put his gun to Callan’s temple. His eyes were so filled with hatred and fury that it scared me. Shane cocked the gun, and my body started shaking, and I felt like I was losing the ground beneath me. That was not how he was supposed to find out about my past relationship with Callan. I instantly regretted not telling Shane the truth earlier because now everything was crumbling around me. Shane’s trust for me, for Callan, maybe even our love. I fucked up.
“Melanie, step back,” Shane commanded, his gaze never leaving Callan.
“Shane, please let me explain.” My voice was breaking, and my body was trembling. It felt like my knees had turned to jelly, and I could barely keep standing.
“I said, step back,” he hissed. His voice was so cold that it sent icy shivers down my spine. “Well, Callan. What did you just say to my fiancée?”
Callan stood still like a statue. He didn’t even blink. He just kept staring at me with regret all over his face until he finally said, “I’m in love with her.”
