Chapter 7 Humiliating Melina

CHARLOTTE

“This necklace belonged to my mother. My mother? What audacity did you have to declare my mother’s heirloom as yours?”

I watched as Melina’s face instantly pale, the wrinkles that sat under her heavy makeup coming into view, as Nathan half yelled at her.

It was strange seeing him here, much less seeing him angry but I couldn’t say a word. I just stood by and watched the scene unfolding before me.

My mind raced as I took in the scene. Nathan’s anger was palpable, and for the first time, I saw a crack in Melina’s carefully constructed facade. She was scared—truly scared—of him.

“I’m waiting for you to say something!” He thundered again, and Melina visibly flinched, staggering backward clumsily.

“Erm, Nathan Darling.” She began. “I…I…” She stammered, unable to form a coherent response, and I could see disgust flowing of Nathan’s eyes as he stared at her.

I felt a surge of satisfaction as Melina struggled to defend herself. She had always been so smug, so untouchable, but now she was unraveling before my eyes. How many times had she looked down on me, treated me like dirt, while I endured it all in silence? How many times had she allowed Liam to hurt me, to hurt Charles?

“Yes? Or has your voice suddenly lost momentum now? Can’t you speak?” He harshly continued. “It was your loud voice that disrupted my evening, and now you can’t say a word.”

“No, my dear son. It’s…”

“I am not your son!”

Melina swallowed again. “It’s not like that. It’s… it’s…” She dragged her gaze from Nathan to the maids and continued. “One of the maids mentioned something about a missing necklace so I thought it was mine.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. I never knew it belonged to Ti… your mother. It’s all a misunderstanding my… my...” Her lips shook as she spoke, and I didn’t know whether to feel sorry or happy at this.

She was clearly embarrassed and the guilt of her misinformation was eating at her.

Suddenly she turned to the maids and guards holding me. “Please let Charlotte go.”

In one swift movement they released me reluctantly, and looked away in embarrassment.

“So that is your excuse?” Nathan suddenly spoke, breaking the tense silence that seemed to have settled in seconds. “That this was all a little misunderstanding. A misunderstanding that had you accusing an innocent woman who might have never even seen the necklace in question? Is that it?”

“Nathan please…”

But he didn’t let her finish. He cut in again, “I’m not surprised though. It’s only a thief that sees everyone as a thief.”

Blood drained from Melina’s face and she bowed her head in shame. At the same time she took a step forward as if wanting to leave but Nathan’s voice stopped her before she could.

“Before you leave you’re going to apologize to Charlotte.”

“What?!” Instantly Melina whipped her face towards Nathan and then me. Anger and rage burned in her dark gaze. “Surely you don’t expect me to…”

“I very much expect you to do what I just said. You will apologize to Charlotte, and by God…” He took a menacing step towards her. “If you ever dare to take any of my mother’s jewelry or if your legs dare step inside the room reserved for her, I will break your legs.”

“Now that you will not do.” Melina retorted hotly. “Yes I admit I made a mistake and sorry to her, but you won’t touch me. You wouldn’t dare, Nathan.”

“You think I won’t?”

“Yes.” As if a mask had slipped on her face, Melina puffed her cheeks and looked at Nathan fiercely. “If you touch me, you will go to jail and you know that’s a bad touch to the Hamilton name. Your father wouldn’t even allow it.”

“You’ve been sleeping on his bed for so many years now, and yet you still don’t know the power I have over my father right? It’s so pathetic. But for one minute think of what he’ll do in a matter involving me. Think of the side he’ll take. You and I know the answer to that or don’t we?”

That mask Melina had slapped on faded instantly, and there was only fear written across her features.

I gasped internally, my throat working as I wondered what the hell was going on here.

I felt a strange mix of emotions—anger, relief, and a growing determination. Melina’s humiliation was satisfying, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.

What kind of power did Nathan hold over this woman? Over this family? His words were a revelation. He wasn’t just cold and aloof—he was dangerous. And if he could make Melina tremble, perhaps he could be the one to help me. But how far was I willing to go to secure his help?

“Heed my warning, Melina—for your own good.” Nathan said again, and at first Melina opened her mouth as if to reply, but soon she closed it.

As I stood watching the exchange in utter shock, I could feel my nails digging into my palm hardly. So hard I almost drew blood.

But more than anything, I hated Liam. He had betrayed me, abandoned me, and now he was using Charles as a pawn to control me. I couldn’t let him win. I wouldn’t. If Nathan was the key to breaking free, then I would do whatever it took to secure his help—even if it meant playing a dangerous game.

Something tugged my hand, “M-Mommy.”

It was Charles, and when I looked down I saw his terrified expression. My heart broke into two .

I pulled him close. “I’m sorry baby. I’m so sorry you had to see this, please forgive me. You won’t see any more of this again, and I will protect you. I promise…”

I had to protect Charles from this. I had to protect him from the wickedness of this place.

‘If you ever dare to take any of my mother’s jewelry or if your legs dare step inside the room reserved for her, I will break your legs.’

The words flashed in my head for a second and suddenly it struck me. Nathan Hamilton.

I dragged my gaze back to him. He was still arguing with Lady Melina although I wasn’t fully listening.

Yes! Yes! He was my one-way ticket out of this hellhole. He was my key to a better life here. But how could I get him to help me? He didn’t care about anyone—not Melina, not Liam, not even the rest of the family. But maybe, just maybe, I could make him care about me. Or at least, make him see me as useful.

I remembered the look in his eyes when he spoke to Melina. It reminded me of a burning sense of rage. Of anger, raw anger and irritation.

He didn’t like her at all. But Nathan Hamilton didn’t like anybody. The rumors about him was that he was cold, aloof and harsh.

Regardless of how he was, I was going to approach him. If I had to beg on my knees to even talk to him, then so be it. I would do it. For Charles. For myself. For the life we deserved.

Melina eventually left in anger and I couldn't help but call out to Nathan before he was about to go back to his bedroom.“Wait！”

Nathan’s gaze shifted from Melina to me, and for a moment, the room seemed to fall silent. His eyes, a piercing shade of stormy gray, locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. 

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly, carrying a warmth that contradicted his usual cold demeanor. His hand reached out, brushing against my arm as if to steady me, and the touch sent an unexpected jolt through me.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. His proximity was overwhelming, and I could smell the faint scent of his cologne—something dark and masculine, like cedarwood and leather. It was intoxicating, and for a moment, I forgot where I was. His presence was magnetic, pulling me in, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his jawline sharpened as he clenched it, the faint stubble shadowing his face adding to his rugged charm.

“I… I’m fine,” I managed to stammer, though my voice sounded far from steady. My cheeks burned under his scrutiny, and I quickly averted my gaze, afraid he might see the turmoil swirling inside me.

Nathan tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as if he could see right through me. “You don’t have to lie,” he said softly, his tone almost tender. “I know what they’ve put you through.”

His words caught me off guard, and I felt a lump form in my throat. No one had spoken to me like that in years—not with such genuine concern. It was as if he saw me, truly saw me, beneath the layers of pain and humiliation.

But before I could respond, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the air like a blade.

“What the hell is going on here?”

I froze, my heart sinking as I turned to see Liam standing in the doorway, his face twisted in a scowl. His eyes darted between Nathan and me, and I could see the suspicion brewing in his gaze.