03 | Inevitable Encounters

Three years later...

"Are you ready?" Eloy asks, poking his head into my room.

I nod and get up, holding Ryan in my arms.

"Mel!" I hear Brittany shout, her high heels clicking as she walks toward me. "Oh my God! You look amazing!"

"I think it's just average," Eloy jokes.

"Shut up and grab our cute nephew," she says, kissing Ryan’s cheek as he peacefully sleeps in my arms. "Oh, he looks adorable in his little suit."

I smile and scrunch my nose. When Eloy steps forward to take him, I hand him over, but not without teasing him a bit. We’re like siblings, and Brittany, his wife, understands that there are no feelings between us. That’s why, when I said I would leave once they got married, she strongly objected — being an only child, I’m as close to a sister as she’ll ever have.

"I wanted to borrow your diamond earrings," she says, pouting.

I laugh and nod, walking over to my jewelry box, grabbing them, and handing them to her. "They look better on you, why not keep them?"

"No way. Eloy said they were a gift from Ryan’s dad," she murmurs, turning to me. "Even though you don't like him much now, they’re still ridiculously expensive, and besides, I love borrowing your stuff." She smiles.

"I don’t mind lending them." I say, applying a layer of gloss to my lips.

We’re headed to the wedding of a famous magnate named Kyle Mancini. I feel like I know him from somewhere, but I can’t remember right now. Eloy, aside from owning his own restaurant, is also my partner in the company I founded two years ago. We specialize in custom, high-end jewelry for the elite — and that’s the gift we’re giving to the bride. A necklace designed by Eloy and me, and a bracelet personally designed by Britt.

They’re one-of-a-kind pieces made just for her. I bet she’s going to love them.

Ryan is still asleep when we arrive at the wedding and are greeted by the couple. When I hand the gift to the bride, I explain the significance of our present, and she smiles excitedly as she unwraps it right there:

"Oh my God!" she exclaims. "Thank you! I can’t believe I have an exclusive piece from Melissa Roosevelt and Brittany Reed." She sighs. "I want to wear them now!"

After they leave, asking us to make ourselves comfortable, we’re content and happy. Eloy still refuses to let go of little Ryan, while Britt and I take the opportunity to eat and drink to our heart’s content.

"I need to go to the bathroom," I say, smiling at her.

"Okay," Britt nods.

I get up and leave the table, searching for the nearest restroom. After taking care of my business, I exit the stall and stop in front of the mirror. I freeze for a second, but push the thoughts aside and walk over to the sink. Sidney Galloway is standing next to me, applying red lipstick to her lips.

"Well, well!" she says, smiling at me, though her eyes are fixed on my reflection in the mirror. "Melissa!"

"Sidney," I nod.

"When do we stop with the formalities?" she asks. "If I remember correctly, I used to be your lady." She taps her finger on her chin.

"I have formalities for those who deserve them. I’m no longer Richard Hart’s secretary. In fact, I’m a millionaire now."

"Ah, the nouveau riche..." She rolls her eyes.

I laugh, tapping my fingers on the marble countertop. "What do you want, Sidney?"

She sighs and turns toward me, resting one hand on the sink and the other on her hip. Her sharp eyes pierce through me as she smiles.

"I know about the affair you had. Don’t think I’ll let you get in my way again, Melissa. You won’t steal my man," she says, threateningly.

"Your man doesn't impress me. I left him, I abandoned him. What’s a feast to you, Miss Galloway, is crumbs to me. I’ll never allow myself to be with another woman’s man…" I glare at her before walking out, brushing my shoulder against hers.

If I’m lucky, Richard won’t be at this party and won’t see Ryan. But luck is not on my side, and I spot him sitting at the table with Britt, who has little Ryan sitting on her lap, tugging at Richard’s tie.

"...Oh! No, he’s not our son. Eloy and I are still on our honeymoon. He’s my sister-in-law’s; he’s only two years old and such a cutie." Britt smiles and her eyes fall on me. "Mel, you’re here!" She waves at me. "Do you know Richard Hart?"

I feel my world crumble and clench my fists at my sides, my throat tightening as I tremble, walking toward them calmly.

"Melissa!"

"Richard!"

"I didn’t know you were married and had kids."

"Married? No," she laughs weakly. "The daddy of our little gem is just an idiot who…" Her voice trails off. "Shit!" She stands up with Ryan, as if something just clicked in her mind. "I’m going to call Eloy so we can leave."

And she leaves, taking my son with her. In her eyes, she silently begs for my forgiveness, and I wonder if she and Richard have some kind of relationship for her words to slip out so easily.

"So, can you finish your sentence? What kind of idiot is your son’s father?" He stands up, facing me, his eyes meticulously analyzing me. "Cat got your tongue?"

"Why do you care what kind of idiot he is?" I finally ask.

"I’d love to know why you hid the child from me," he says.

"The child isn’t yours," I reply, finally.

He lets out a humorless laugh, sighs heavily, and finally looks me in the eye.

"Why did you hide my son from me, Melissa?"