Chapter 14
Thanes pov.
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I know she’s back the moment my eyes land on her parked car. My first response is to groan out loud; I didn’t expect her so soon, actually, I wasn’t hoping to see Melissa at all, and if I were to be honest with myself, I am fine with that.
Walking into my mansion, I could feel the tension in the air; the staff exchanged hushed whispers and glances between themselves, stopping to greet me when they realized my presence.
I climb the stairs and towards my room; the ten days Melissa had been away have been peaceful and quiet, a stark contrast to the unsettling atmosphere that she emanates. I find her in our bedroom, unpacking her bags and humming to a song.
The urge
to be anywhere else but here wrapped around me tightly, sinking deep into my skin, but I forced myself to stay just so i could know what Melissa was up to when she made it clear she had other ‘options‘
What are you doing?” I asked, poker–faced.
Okay, I know what she’s doing; what I want to ask her is, what the fuck is she doing HERE?!
Coming back to my husband’s home, any problem Honey?”
Hold up, husband?
“What do you mean, husband?” I could feel a muscle in my jaw flex. Melissa swivels towards me with a plastic smile already on her face. It’s only then I notice what she is wearing. A knee–length blue gown, the same shade as her eyes. It’s one of those see through dresses I used to love on her, but right now, seeing her in it, or rather through it, pisses me off.
Melissa somehow managed to maintain the weird smile.
Η Baby. I’m wearing your ring….
She waves her left palm at me. The thousand–dollar engagement ring glints on her finger. “…..we are both as good as married. I decided not to make such a fuss about small issues and come back to where I rightfully belong.” Her smile turns suggestive, flirtatious even.
My nose scrunched up.
“And where do you rightfully belong?
Melissa’s eyes flashed with irritation at my monotonous questions.
Here, with you! This is our home, and I belong in your arms. Now, stop making a big deal out of this.” Her shrill voice rings out. She looks at me with misty eyes, a tear rolls down her cheek.
I fold my arms against my chest, unmoved. I know Melissa too well to fall for her shallow acting.
“And what happened to your other options?” I quipped.
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In a blink, Melissa’s expression changed from pretense sadness to blazing fury; she quickly masked it though, but not fast enough for me not to notice.
“Can we drop this, Thane, and talk about our wedding instead?”
Melissa started advancing towards me, getting to where I stood, She made to wrap her hands around my neck, but I stepped back, and she almost tripped over.
Why, you son of a…” Melissa’s teeth clenched in anger.
“What was that you said, Melissa?” I ask amused, fighting back a smile. How easily her facade slipped.
“Nothing Thane. I said I wanted us to discuss when you would like our wedding to take place. “Melissa smiled again, and I didn’t need to be a shaman to recognize the insincerity; everything she was doing right now is all fake. I suspect she’s probably back because I blocked the black card I gave to her. In just ten days, Melissa had blown hundreds of thousands of dollars away.
“Till further notice,” I reply curtly.
When I made the impulsive decision to postpone our wedding, I hadn’t thought it through. Melissa’s constant edginess had
become overwhelming, and my attention had shifted to unraveling the mystery that is Andrea. I hadn’t even bothered to set a
new date – if I still saw myself getting married at all.
“Wh…what?” Her mouth rounds to a perfect O in shock. Melissa bats her long lashes at me and, surprisingly, waves my deceleration off without losing her temper. I was expecting her to throw something at me or, rather, smash a glass on the wall.
Instead, her smile widened.
“I think you’re having a hard time, Thane; why don’t you go take a shower and join me for dinner? I’ll make your favorite….”
she runs a finger from my shoulder down to my chest.
“Since when do you cook?” I quirk a brow at her.
Aside from the subtle clench in her jaw, her calm facade remains.
“I want to make up for what I said about having other options.” She goes back to unpacking. I watch her from the corner of my
eye as I take off my suit and head for the shower.
By the time I emerge from my bath, the room is tidy and her belongings are back in the walk–in closet. Melissa turns to face me, having swapped her see–through dress to my robe. A sly grin tugged at the corner of her lips when she took in the sight of me, fresh from the shower, and my towel hanging loosely on my waist
I ignore Melissa and walk into the closet to grab some sweatpants and shirts.
When I come out fully dressed, she is still standing; I’m about to walk past her when suddenly Melissa lets the robe fall to the
floor, baring her body to me. Her eyes still held mine in what she assumed was provocative.
She walks slowly towards me, still smiling lewdly. I take a step back and cross my arms.
Chapter 1
“Really?” So this was her plan, trying to get my forgiveness with sex. Well, I don’t accept it.
I make a beeline and walk out of my bedroom, picking up my laptop and phone to go to my home office.
Behind me, Melissa groaned loudly as I closed the door; I didn’t take a look at her.
A lightweight guilt sinks down in my stomach, Melissa may be wrong in some things, but I am not a saint myself.
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I canceled–no- postponed our wedding without her consent, which is a downright asshole move. And there’s also the fact that I stalked my ex–wife on socials, and jerked myself to her pictures. If we were to be compared, I’m the worst.
Reaching my home office, 1 pour myself a shot of my favorite whiskey from the liquor cabinet I had fixed there. My brows
furrowed while I sat to think.
Ever since Andera showed up three weeks ago. My life has been disheveled.
My wedding is on hold. I can’t think clearly when it concerns Andera, I’m acting outside of business protocol when I’m with her, pinning her against my goddamned wall.
“Fuck ”
I gulp down another shot, raking my fingers through my hair.
And somehow, even with Melissa standing in front of me naked and willing, 1 didn’t want anything to do with her because all I
could see, all I wanted to see, the thing I’d been looking at for days, was Andera’s picture in that skimpy bathing suit. A long,
defeated sigh escapes my lips.
I’m screwed. ”
