Chapter 3

Hanging up the phone, Melanie walked through the rain out of the gated apartment zone. Because it was so remote, she tried to hail a cab, but none were available.

Dragging her suitcase, she walked a long way down the road before finally flagging down a cab.

Once she got in, the driver asked with concern, “It’s really late to be out by yourself. Aren’t you afraid of running into danger? Gotta be careful when you’re out alone.”

The emotions she had been bottling up came bursting out at that moment.

Melanie covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably. Five years of devotion, and she was nothing next to his childhood friend.

“Where to, young lady?”

For a moment, she didn’t even know where she could go.

She couldn’t return to her parents’ place right now. It would only make them vexed with concern.

She thought of her best friend. “To Parkside Residences.”

“Alright.”

When the cab arrived at the gate, Olivia Ross held an umbrella as she came out to meet Melanie.

Seeing Melanie soaked to the bone and dragging a suitcase behind her, she couldn’t help but frown. “What happened? How did you end up like this?”

“I broke up with Sebastian.”

“What?”

Olivia froze for a second. “That serious? You two have been together for five years. What’s the trigger?”

“Let’s talk inside.”

After Melanie showered, Olivia brought over a glass of warm water.

“Drink it. You don’t wanna catch a cold.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Melanie hugged her. “Thank you, babe. What would I do without you?”

“No problem, bestie. Honestly, Sebastian is pretty good to you. He and that girl are probably just friends.”

Melanie shook her head. “You don’t get it.”

“Yeah, I don’t, but count me on your side. It’s late, get some rest.”

Melanie lay in bed for a long time. Her head throbbed, and her entire body felt miserable.

In a daze, she heard voices whispering near her ear.

“You’re here? Sebastian, honestly, how could you let Melanie catch you two hugging? You know how to spell ‘discreet’? She was bound to find out sooner or later.”

It was Olivia’s voice. What was she talking about?

Find out sooner or later?

Find out what?

Sebastian sighed. “I was too impatient. Kylie was in a bad place, and I only cared about comforting her. I didn’t expect Melanie to come home.”

Kylie lowered her head. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault. Sebastian, why don’t we call it off? I really don’t wanna be the other woman, or cause anyone any pain.”

“Kylie, how can you think like that?” Olivia said softly. “You’re sick, you can’t control yourself. Besides, you and Sebastian have already been together for over a year. Breaking up now, can you really bear to let go?”

Melanie’s body stiffened. She couldn’t believe her own ears.

Sebastian and Kylie had been together?

For over a year?

Olivia knew, and yet she helped them keep her in the dark?

They had known each other for nearly twenty years. Olivia was her best friend, the very first person she turned to whenever something troubled her.

Yet she had been lying to her all along!

Melanie slowly opened her eyes, her eyelashes heavy with pooled tears.

“Olivia... not you too.”

“Melanie, I can explain...” Seeing her awake, Olivia panicked. “We hid it from you because we were afraid you wouldn’t be able to accept it. And you know about Kylie’s depression—she can’t handle any distress. Since you had no idea for over a year anyway, why not just pretend you saw nothing?”

Melanie let out a laugh, though her tears came rushing now.

“Kylie, you disgust me. All of this, and you shrank at me calling you a side chick?

“Sebastian, you’re no better. You knew full well you two were at fault, and had the nerve to ask me to apologize!”

“Melanie.”

Seeing her cry, Sebastian felt a sharp pang of heartache.

“I didn’t mean to deceive you. Kylie told me she had loved me for a long time. She has no other wish except to stay by my side. She’s ill, and I can’t just abandon her, you know?”

“Rest assured, you’re the woman I’m in love with. We’re getting married next month. As long as you’re willing, the wedding will go on as scheduled. You will always be my wife, Mrs. Haynes.”

Melanie raised her hand to point a finger at Kylie.

“Getting married? Only if you swear never to see her again.”