Chapter 322
Melody watched carefully as the investigating officer finally walked out of her room. Only when the door clicked shut behind him did she let out a long, quiet breath, her shoulders sagging slightly with relief. Thankfully, he didn’t seem suspicious of her-at least not yet. She had managed to keep her story straight, keep her expression calm, and most importantly, keep her identity hidden.
Just as the sense of tension began to ease from her chest, the door opened again. This time, it was a nurse. She stepped in holding a small, sealed plastic packet in her hands.
“Mrs. Collins,” the nurse said politely, walking toward the bed. Melody felt a little thrill at being address as Mrs COllins again and nodded at the nurst questioningly to which she continued, “These were the clothes and accessories you were wearing when you were admitted. They were damaged during the emergency procedure, but we’ve preserved them just in case you’d like to keep anything.”
Melody’s eyes widened instantly. No. That couldn’t happen. She could not let anyone, especially not him, see those clothes. If Adam saw them, he would definitely recognise them and then might realize something was off. He might remember what Melanie had been wearing. He might begin to question everything.
“Throw them away,” she said quickly, her voice sharper than intended. “Burn them. I don’t want them.”
The nurse blinked, a little taken aback by the urgency and anger in her tone. She stepped forward again, holding the package out with both hands. “Are you sure? There could be something valuable inside—jewelry, a phone, identification…”
As she spoke, she made a motion to open the packet, intending to let Melody take a quick look before making a final decision.
“No!” Melody said, her voice rising a pitch higher. But it was already too late.
The door behind the nurse opened again, and Adam stepped into the room.
Melody’s breath hitched.
She immediately reached forward and pushed the packet away from the nurse’s hands, nearly knocking it off in her haste. Her movements were rushed, panicked. “No, no-I don’t need them. There’s nothing in that. Nothing important. Just please- please take it away.”
The nurse looked from Melody to Adam, confused but professional. Thankfully, she did not pursue this matter and with a polite nod, stepped back.
“As you wish, Mrs. Collins,” she said quietly before turning and walking out of the room with the package still sealed.
Melody didn’t look at Adam. She kept her eyes fixed on her hands, trying to still the trembling in her fingers, trying to force her breathing to return to normal.
She needed to distract him. Quickly. Before he mentioned the packet in the nurse’s hand and questioned it.
She called out his name softly and then coughed loudly, once, then twice, leaning slightly forward and pressing a hand to her chest, trying to make it seem more urgent than it was. As if she was having trouble breathing. Her eyes fluttered shut as she let out a dry, hoarse sound, desperate for him to focus on her. Thankfully, her action worked and Adam reacted at once.
He was by her side in an instant, stepping forward and reaching for the jug of water on the bedside table. She almost smiled. Almost. The speed with which he moved, the concern flickering in his eyes had her feel jealous but as he moved the glass and brought it to her, she could not help but feel a thrill.
“Here,” he said softly, pouring water into the glass with steady hands. He held it out to her, then shifted closer to support her upright with one arm. “Drink slowly.”
She took the glass with trembling fingers, letting her hand brush his intentionally—just barely. He didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he said nothing. As she took a few slow sips, he kept one hand gently behind her back, stabilizing her, keeping her close. And she enjoyed it. Thoroughly.
When she was done, he took the glass from her and set it back down, his hand moving behind her shoulders again. “Lie back,” he murmured, already guiding her gently. “You need rest.”
She didn’t resist. She let herself lean into his hold, moving back onto the pillow as he adjusted it beneath her head. His hands were warm, his touch careful, and when he leaned forward to smooth the edges of the pillow, she could feel his breath near her cheek.
Her heart skipped a beat. His scent surrounded her. For a moment, it overwhelmed everything else. The panic. The lie. The fear. All of it faded beneath the warmth blooming in her chest.
She took a slow breath. Her eyes flicked up to him as he leaned forward. Her fingers twitched slightly, instinctively. For a second, she imagined leaning into him. Wrapping her arms around his waist.
Kissing him.
She wanted to.
God, she wanted to.
Her body moved just slightly—just enough to lean into the space between them. But before she could reach him, before her fingers could brush his shirt, he stepped back.
The warmth vanished instantly.
She blinked, startled, her breath catching. Her hand froze midair, and she quickly lowered it back to her side, hiding the movement in the folds of the blanket.
Adam turned to sit down in the chair by her bedside seemingly completely unaware of what she had been about to do as he gave her a tired sigh and looked down.
“Melody…” She stiffened and stared at him. Did he already recognise her? What could have given her away? But then Adam continued,” Melody is still missing. The police are already trying to look for a place where the kidnappers might have disappeared with her. If you remember anything about where they dropped you, just let me know. I will find her, okay?”
Melody nodded. He was giving her an update, not suspecting her. So, she said slowly,” I don’t remember really. I just walked randomly and desperately, until I came across this hospital.”
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