Chapter 3
Melody felt a chill seep through her whole body as she took the bowl and drank the soup.
When Tyler used to beat her, Olive couldn’t stop him–she just did her best to shield Melody with her own body. In Melody’s memories, Olive’s arms and back were covered in scars that never seemed to heal.
The worst time, Olive clung to her so tightly that Tyler broke six of Olive’s ribs with his kicks.
Three years ago, Melody brought Olive home, but their peace lasted only two years before Olive was diagnosed with late–stage stomach cancer.
Back then, Graham had said, “As long as I’m here, nothing can touch you. Don’t be afraid.”
He sat with her as they chose Olive’s treatment plan, painstakingly vetted caregivers, and took on the crushing medical bills. Just like he promised, he held up the sky for Melody.
But now, the man using Olive to threaten her was Graham himself.
Her allergy flared up again, her body buckling under the pain. But just as he wished, even as Melody’s nails dug bloody crescents into her palms, she didn’t make a sound,
“Elaine, you haven’t had lunch yet. Let’s go get something to eat.” Graham coaxed Elaine out of the room.
Melody knew he just didn’t want Elaine to see her having another allergic reaction.
He was always so afraid of upsetting Elaine.
With trembling hands, Melody pressed the call button again and curled up on the bed.
In a daze, her mind drifted back to the day Graham first asked her to be
with him.
He was standing in the yard, sunlight pouring over a sea of roses behind him. He reached out a hand. “Melody, will you be with me?”
She hadn’t noticed how tightly he gripped his phone, the veins bulging across his knuckles.
She hadn’t noticed the heavy fog in his eyes, not a trace of happiness.
She’d been so naive, believing that after 18 years of hardship, fate was finally being kind to her.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking into her pillow.
The blood–soaked blessing charm slipped from her hand and fell to the floor, kicked aside by the nurses who rushed in.
The next day, Melody was discharged from the hospital.
In the car, Elaine kept her head down, silent.
Graham noticed immediately. “What’s wrong? Not happy?”
“I just feel useless,” Elaine mumbled, lips trembling. “I wanted to take care of Melody, but it feels like I didn’t help at all.”
“Just being with her is the best care you could give her and the baby.”
Melody slowly rested her hand on her belly, her eyes full of bitter self- mockery.
23.16%
02:51
As soon as they pulled into the driveway, a crowd gathered–Graham’s buddies.
Each of them handed Elaine a gift, and her face lit up with delight.
“What’s all this? Why are you suddenly giving me presents?
“A limited–edition Labubu–how did you know I wanted this one?
“I’ve wanted this necklace for ages!
“This music box is gorgeous! I thought it was sold out everywhere!”
Graham’s friends teased, “Elaine, we were sent here to cheer you up. From now on, be good–don’t throw any more tantrums.”
Graham chuckled, “As long as I’m here, Elaine never has to grow up.” Melody stared at the mountain of gifts, her lips pressed into a thin line.
In three years of marriage, she’d poured herself into every detail of Graham’s life.
She made sure his suit was perfectly pressed for work the next day.
She always had his favorite coffee ready while he worked.
Because of his weak stomach, she carried antacids with her everywhere, just in case.
Graham used to laugh and say, “I’m so lucky to have such a thoughtful wife.”
All that sweetness had turned to poison now.
Only now did Melody realize–being “thoughtful” was never a compliment.
45.14%
It was the one thing the favorite never needed to be.
Elaine was ushered inside like a princess, everyone doting on her, her smile never fading for a second.
They suggested playing games, and every round, Elaine lost.
She had to read a love confession to Graham.
She had to wink at him.
She had to feed him.
And finally, she had to kiss him.
Elaine’s cheeks burned red. “You guys are doing this on purpose, right? I can’t be this unlucky!”
“A bet’s a bet, Elaine! No backing out!”
“Yeah, rules are rules.”
Right in Melody’s own home, in front of her, the supposed lady of the house, everyone openly tried to pair Graham and Elaine together.
Elaine was pushed in front of Graham, looking helplessly at Melody.
“It’s just a game,” Graham said lazily. “Don’t ruin the fun.”
Melody smiled. “I don’t mind.”
Elaine bit her lip, relenting. “Then I’ll just kiss your check.”
But as she leaned in, Graham suddenly turned, and her kiss landed on his lips.
The room erupted in cheers and applause.
67.31%
02:51
Melody shot to her feet, unable to watch any longer.
“You guys have fun. I’m going to rest upstairs.”
She had barely reached the stairs when Elaine hurried after her.
“Melody, I didn’t mean for that to happen–please don’t be angry.”
She sounded anxious, but her lowered voice was full of malice.
“Every time you get pregnant, I stay away from him for a few days. When you miscarry, that’s when I bother going to the hospital–he always has to rack his brains to comfort me, terrified I’ll be upset.
“Why would I be upset? I’m actually thrilled.
“You’ll never have another baby. So tell me how should I get rid of that last bastard in your belly?”
Elaine suddenly grabbed her wrist.
A cold shock shot straight to Melody’s core. In the next instant…
