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“I will n—” I tried to object, but he put his finger over my lips. His cold touch felt paralyzing.
“Theo is going to propose to you, and you will say yes. Understood?” He smiled in the most cynical way I’d ever seen before moving back. He fixed his well-tailored grayish jacket and reached for his phone from the pocket of his matching pants. He ignored me completely, having his eyes glued to the digital screen, so of course, he didn’t see the pain written all over my face. “You may go now. I guess you have yoga in an hour. You don’t want to be late.”
Wow, what a caring father. He knows his daughter’s schedule by heart.
I’d heard that too many times. But the truth was, he demanded I report everything I did to him. And I felt like a princess imprisoned in a high tower, waiting for her knight to come and rescue her. Too bad my knight turned out to be a cheating ass.
~••~
“Earth to Melanie!” Teresa’s articulate voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
We were at the private gym, doing yoga together. That was our Saturday routine. Yoga in the morning, followed by Pilates and then lunch together. Healthy and vegan. I felt like my life had already been so rotted that at least my lifestyle could be blossoming. Besides, working out was an excellent way to eliminate all destructive emotions. Thanks to it, I managed to keep my sanity. And the fact that it helped me stay in shape was a nice addition.
“What were you saying?” I breathed, wiping away the sweat from my forehead before fixing my ponytail.
“I said, you seem odd today.” She looked me up and down, frowning. “Did something happen?”
“I guess you’ll find out at noon.”
“What do you mean?”
“My life is doomed, T.” I let out a deep breath. I sat on the floor, resting against the wall, staring blankly at my reflection in the mirrored wall ahead of us. Teresa gave me a worried look before she sat beside me.
“Mel, what is it? You know you can trust me, right?” She squeezed my shoulder in a friendly, comforting manner, and I forced a smile.
Teresa might’ve been a kind and gentle soul, and even though we hung out a lot together due to our similar likings, I hadn’t fully opened up to her. She didn’t know any of my struggles or how much of a tyrant my father was. No one knew what was happening behind the closed doors of our luxurious mansion. Not even Scar, who was closest to my heart. I led my glamorous life carrying the darkest secrets alone. Pretending. Acting to the whole world that I was okay when I wasn’t. Why? Maybe I wasn’t strong enough to face the brutal reality, so I chose to keep lying to everyone, including myself.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry,” I said softly, smiling. And usually, it worked. People gave up the second they heard what they wanted to. Because no one likes being engaged in the dark side of your life, no? But to my surprise, Teresa didn’t give up.
“Is it about that guy from the news?” she asked hesitantly, knitting her brow. She didn’t want to seem nosy but was genuinely worried about me.Was I failing on my acting skills?
“Well, partially,” I sighed.
“Are you having an affair with him?” She gazed at me apologetically, her mahogany-toned face inflamed with shame.
“No.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. She looked so adorable with the unnecessary guilt written her eyes. “Although, I wish I had.”
“What?” She didn’t hide the astonishment. I didn’t blame her. After all, everyone at Stanford called Theo and me a “golden couple.” They perceived us as a perfect match, made for each other, cut from the same cloth. And until yesterday, I believed so, too.
“Never mind.” I brushed it off. Knowing I had no choice but to follow my father’s “orders,” I didn’t want to tell her what I’d witnessed the night before. I knew she wouldn’t understand why I agreed to marry a guy who fucked my friend behind my back. The truth was, I wasn’t sure of that myself. I guess it’s called fear. Weakness. “We should get going.” I stood up and grabbed my backpack.
ABOUT HALF AN HOUR LATER, freshened up, we headed toward the building exit. I grabbed the doorknob, only to see Theo through the glass door. In an instant, a smile washed off my face, and a stone-cold gaze took its place.
“Theo!” Teresa exclaimed enthusiastically, but I couldn’t tame my anger. I pushed the door with all my force, nearly hitting my ex in his face, but unfortunately, he managed to step back just in time.
“Melanie, wait!” He took hold of my arm, stopping me. “Baby, please, let me explain,” he said pleadingly, and I closed my eyes, clenching my jaw and fists. I let out a heavy breath, trying not to lose it. “I tried to call you–”
“Leave me alone, you fucking asshole!” I hissed, firmly yanking out of his grip, and Teresa gave us a “what the hell” look. “And don’t you ever call me baby again.”
“I’ll give you guys a moment,” Teresa uttered.
“No. It’s okay, Tess,” I objected, giving Theo a spiteful look straight in his lying eyes. “We’re done here.” I rushed to leave, but Theo seized my arm again, not letting me go.
“Thank you, Tess.” He glanced over at my friend, who nodded uncertainly.
“I’ll see you around, Melanie,” she muttered, giving me an apologetic look, and left.
I set my gaze on a random object ahead of me and kept tapping my foot, exasperated. “I don’t want to listen to your stupid excuses, Theo.”
