Chapter 162

For the life of her, she couldn’t have imagined she’d actually end up showing off a hickey to anyone. It was too immature and high schoolish, honestly. And that too showing off in front of the ex of the person who had given her them… It was childish and petty! But that was fate, wasn’t it? Twisted, smug little thing that it was. That could be the only reason that Saira would arrive at the showroom today of all days. She could have come tomorrow when the marks had faded and all. But, whatever.
So, while she waited for Saira to be shown up to her office, Melanie casually pulled out a compact and leaned toward the mirror. With slow, deliberate strokes, she wiped off the concealer she’d used earlier.
Not all of it—just enough. Just a few well-placed marks, the kind that said everything without needing words. She didn’t need to put her whole neck on display. A glimpse would do. A whisper of skin and a smudge of something dark and recent. Enough to make it clear who had been there.
Because Adam had certainly kept his word. Oh, he’d more than kept it. Her body was still wearing the evidence of every promise he had made. He’d turned her into a damn canvas, and he hadn’t exactly gone minimalist with his artwork.
So yeah—she never thought she’d be the kind of girl who’d wear hickeys like accessories. But here she was. In broad daylight. And maybe, just maybe, she was going to enjoy this a little too much because the moment Saira entered her door, and gave her the once over like she always did…
Melanie caught the exact second her eyes landed on the marks. Her gaze paused—just for a beat—on the side of Melanie’s neck, where one faint bruise peeked out and then, there it was. That flicker. That silent acknowledgment.
And then, just like that, Saira’s eyes snapped back up to her face, expression tightened into one of those polite, brittle smiles people only wear when they’re trying really hard not to react.
It was small, subtle. But Melanie saw it. Felt it. And oh, was it satisfying.
She gave her a smile then, “Miss Vaugn. What brings you here?”
Saira sat down without waiting for an invitation which was smart of her considering Melanie had no intention of asking her to sit,” Did you expect me to be scared and hide? Just because you revealed a few audios and videos? I’ve faced worse. All these talks will die soon. They do not bother me.”
Melanie nodded and then added sympathetically,” Yes. That is a good way to stay positive and cheer yourself. If I was your doctor, I would be proud of you.”
Saira blinked, not expecting a sarcastic and calm answer. She clenched her hands,” You had no right to reveal those things in front of the media! The audio chat was personal!”
Melanie shrugged at that,” Hey! I was just defending what is mine. You were the one threatening me and spouting fake allegations about Adam but I am supposed to not reveal it becasue you deserve your privacy and he doesn’t? Sorry, that wasn’t going to happen.”
Saira laughed. Look at you! Af few months of knowing him and marrying him for a contract and you think he is yours! Defending him! Melanie, wake up. He’s not yours. He never was. And let’s not pretend he ever will be.”
Melanie didn’t flinch though the words were like poisonous darts, lodging them straight into her heart. As long as they had not been together, it had been easy to think of him as a stranger… but now, things were too different..
She knew that Saira had purposefully said the words to hurt her but the woman seemed not to know that she could give back as good as she got. So she smiled nonchalantly and answered, “He definitely doesn’t belong to you. That ship sailed a long time ago. And it sank, by the way.”
That touched a nerve. Saira moved her chair closer to the desk, palms flat on the edge as she leaned forward with a fire burning in her eyes,” You are a fool! Of course he belongs to me. We share something you’ll never understand. Something you’ll never have.”
Melanie blinked slowly, lips parting in mock curiosity as she leaned back in her chair like she had all the time in the world. “You mean… a child?”
It had been a guess. Because Adam had not told her anything about it or the conditions that Saira had laid down. Only that he would handle it. But now she had her confirmation as she watched Saira go pale. “He told you?”
Her own hands clenched under her desk as she raised an eyebrow, the jealous running in her body, shocking her. Dam* it! It was enough that this woman was his first but if he shared a permanent connection with her in the form of a child… Melanie had the answer to her own dilemma now… It would not be easy for her to accept…
But she did not let her thoughts show on her face. Instead, she said,” Of course, he told me. Did you take him for a fool? And what is this about me not having the same with him? I am married to him. And we’re just starting out. So, the possibility of me and him having kids together is quite high. Added to that, any child that I have will be able to bond with him since birth, unlike your child… who has not even seen or met Adam yet…”
In the next minute, Saira stood up, pointing a finger at her angrily as she screamed,” You bi!ch! You really think you have Adam under control and will be able to have his children! Never! That will never happen! I will make sure of that, even if I have to kill you!”
Melanie watched her walk out of the office and felt a chill down her spine at the threat.