Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law

Melody stood frozen,, staring at the closed door, her body trembling-not just from rage, but from the sick churn in her stomach. Her breath came unevenly as she tried to process his words. "None of your concern."

Oh, it was very much her concern.

She curled her fingers into tight fists, nails biting into her palms. Fine. If he thought she would just swallow this humiliation, he was mistaken. She would find out who he had been with-and when she did, she would destroy that person as well. Annihilate them, piece by piece.

Her chest rose and fell quickly as she forced herself to calm down. Losing control now would only give him more satisfaction.With a deep breath, she left the bedroom.

The moment she stepped into the dining area, her eyes landed on her parents, sitting at the table, chatting quietly as they ate breakfast. Beside them sat her- the woman she wanted to get rid of.

The sight made something hot flare in her chest.

In the past, whenever she was home, her parents had always waited for her before starting breakfast. Always. And yet here they were, eating without he… probably having waited for this Melody instead. The thought made her teeth clench.

She smoothed her expression, forced a calm, polite smile as she walked to the table and said evenly, "Good morning,". Then she gestured to the maid. "Bring my breakfast here."

Sliding into her seat, she began eating slowly, carefully in small bites, measured movements. She wasn't going to let anyone see her agitation. If her father and mother got suspicious, it would be no good. So, as much as she wanted to talk to her mother to get rid of Melanie, she knew she needed to be really careful...

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw it.

The hem of Melanie's shorts had ridden up slightly as she reached for a glass of juice, exposing the pale skin of her thigh… and there, faint but unmistakable, was a mark.

A love bite.

Melody's fork paused midway to her mouth. Her eyes locked on the mark, and for a split second, she forgot to breathe.

It wasn't possible. Melanie hadn't even left the house since she came here. Which meant-

No.

Her mind rebelled against the thought. No no. What she knew about Melanie, everything told her Melanie wouldn't care to do it with Adam. Not with her own sister's husband. After all, she was quite a principled woman.

She forced herself to blink, to look away, shaking her head slightly. "No," she whispered under her breath. "She wouldn't. Maybe she hurt herself somewhere else..."

And yet, the image of that mark seared itself into her mind, refusing to let go.

The sound of footsteps behind her made her stiffen. Adam emerged from the hallway, freshly showered, his hair damp, his expression unreadable. He walked straight to the table as though nothing had happened.

"Good morning, Richard. Marianne," he greeted warmly. Then his gaze slid over her and straight to Melanie.

And he smiled.

"Good morning, Melody," he said smoothly. "Did you sleep well?"

Melody's fingers clenched around her fork so tightly she thought it might snap.

The other woman returned his smile with an easy nod, completely unbothered.

Inside, Melody's fury burned hot enough to choke her.

He was doing this deliberately. Goading her. Playing with her. And if the look in his eyes was any indication, he knew exactly how she felt about him flirting with Melanie.

But she said nothing. Not yet.

She simply lowered her gaze to her plate, her hand tightening even more until her knuckles whitened. Because if she opened her mouth now, she wasn't sure she'd be able to stop. Instead, she gave him a patient smile, he would not dare to flirt with Melanie in her mother and father's presence.

The clink of cutlery and the soft hum of the air conditioner were the only sounds in the room until Marianne's warm, deliberate voice broke the silence.

"Richard and I will be leaving soon," she said, glancing between them with a smile that carried a mother's careful composure. "We'll be gone over the weekend—some work that can't be postponed."

Melody felt a moment of thrill at the sudden words. Because that woudl be perfect for her plan to get rid of Melanie.

Just then, Marianne turned her attention to Adam and her and said in a light tone her tone, "Adam, Melanie… you two take good care of Melody while we're away, won't you?I know it would be troublesome.. but really, if you could..."

Before she could answer and tell off her mother that they were not babysitters, but before she could respond, Adam answered readily, "Of course. You don't have to worry, Mrs Thomas. I'll definitely take care of her."

The weight he put on those words wasn't lost on Melody. Her hand tightened around her fork again, but she kept her expression calm, even as her jaw tensed.

Richard gave a satisfied nod, folding his napkin. "Good. I trust you both."

Within minutes, bags were being carried to the car, and Melody was sure that she was going to die of frustration. Because the moment her parents were out of the door, Adam turned to Melanie and asked meaningfully," So," he said, drawing out the word with deliberate slowness, "your parents have given you to me for the weekend. How would you like me to take care of you?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with suggestion, his tone almost a caress.

Melody's pulse hammered in her ears. She could feel the heat rising in her chest, her nails digging into her palm so hard it hurt. The urge to leap across the table and tear that smug smile off his face burned inside her.

Or rather slap that pleased smile off Melanie's face.. as she leaned in close and said slowly," Take care of me? I'll leave it to you. After all, you tool good care of me last night as well...