All Chapters of DARLA FIN:THE HEIRESS'S WICKED REBIRTH: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Melanie's POV"Cut it out saying that to me," I snapped into the phone, my tone lowering as I looked around. "What if Richard's listening?"I moved my eyes into the hallway, scanning the emptiness.The living room was empty, and the soft gurgle of water from the bathroom told me that Richard was still in the shower.I took a slow breath, gripping the phone tighter against my ear.Sam, on the other end, laughed, his tone with that arrogant and teasing combined sense that always frustrated me."Come on, Mel. You wouldn't even call me if Richard was there."I scowled. "You think you know me that well?""I do," he said boldly. "You only call when you can be sure he is not.".He wasn't lying, and that made me more angry than anything. I hated that Sam still knew me so easily, after everything. I rolled my eyes in spite of the fact that he couldn't see me."Anyway," I said, trying to sound authoritative, "I did not call to play games with you.""Then why did you call?" His voice dropped, pl

Melanie's POVI huffed, punching it again.Still nothing.I pushed it one final time. The same response."Come on, Richard," I muttered to myself. "Answer."When the call ended again without an answer, annoyance churning inside me.I chucked the phone on the passenger seat and took a deep breath. "Fine," I whispered. "Suit yourself."I started the engine and drove away from the driveway. The sky was darkening rapidly, painted orange and purple.The highway stretched out before me, quiet and still save for the thrum of my tires on the road.My thoughts kept drifting back to Richard throughout the drive.I didn't want to leave things the way that they were. But then again, I couldn't go back now.Sam waited, and I needed his help. That was the point of it all, help, nothing more.However, my temper was ruined. What was to be a calm meeting already pressed heavily.When I arrived at the hotel, the car park was almost empty.I parked in front of the entrance and stood there for a couple o

Melanie's POVI came home in a bad mood. The earlier argument between I and Richard was still echoing in my mind, but what got my goat was that Richard was not there when I got home.His car was gone. I checked the time, around evening time. He did not even call or text.I walked around the outside of the house for a bit, trying to get cool, but my mind just kept coming back to him.Finally, I grabbed my phone and called his number. It rang for a few minutes, then went to voicemail.I tried again. Still nothing. I waited for a second or two, then called a third time, drumming my fingers on the counter in frustration. Nothing."Why is it that you, Richard, are in the wrong?" I muttered to myself.I seethed at the phone, angry and nervous at the same time. He never did this to me. Something was not right.Then I walked around the living room for a minute or two. I pulled out the tracking app which I had downloaded on my phone, the one that informed me of his whereabouts. I hesitated for

Richard's POVThe instant Melanie closed the door behind her, I let out a deep breath I wasn't even aware I'd been holding. The tension after that was palpable, but it was also relief.Finally.I rubbed the back of my neck and leaned back in the chair beside the window. The room did feel warmer now, but maybe that was only the tension finally catching up with me.Melanie.Every time we fought, I vowed that it would be the last but it never was.She'd been distant of late, elusive even. She was constantly on the phone, constantly apologizing to take a call.Whenever I'd question who it was, she'd motion that it was "work" or "a friend." The voice, however, did not sound like work or friendship.I gazed out the window at city lights, my mind spinning. I couldn't believe it, but a small voice within me, speaking the words I didn't want to believe, knew Melanie was hiding something from me.I grabbed my phone and went through my contacts to locate the one I needed. Vincent.Vincent was a

Darla's POVI hung up and glared at my phone, watching the screen darken. My own face appeared tired, maybe because I was.Richard's voice still echoed in my mind, softer than I remembered, on the brink of breaking. For a man who had gone out once with so much assurance, he sounded. lost.I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. He had no right sounding that way, not after what he did.And yet, something in how he sounded tonight was different.He wasn't angry, or defensive, or condescending. He just sounded. human.Perhaps even hurt.I let out a sigh and allowed the phone to fall on the nightstand. "Don't go overthinking, Darla," I told myself softly. "That man's not your issue anymore."Before I could reach for my glass of water, two strong arms wrapped around my waist from the rear, pulling me against the welcome chest.I yelped and gasped. "Xavier!"He chuckled against the side of my neck. "You didn't even realize I was inside."I spun half around, frowning but smiling an