Chapter 9
Owen stood outside Melissa’s apartment building, holding a velvet box in
his hand.
Opening it up, it was the diamond necklace he had asked Amelia to help pick out. The sunlight today was very good, shining brightly on the diamond pendant.
He stared at the pendant for a few seconds, suddenly remembering the look in Amelia’s eyes, from anticipation to disappointment and
indifference. when he said, “I know you don’t like it, so I’m asking for your help to try it on.”
He clenched the box tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white.
He rang the doorbell.
Purchase completed
When Melissa opened the door, her eyes lit up and her smile was as bright as if she had been expecting it.
She was wearing a light–colored dress, with her hair loosely tied up, looking gentle and harmless.
“Owen?” She blinked, “How did you come here?”
Owen fell silent for a moment, and finally just said, “I didn’t say I would go out with you today to find inspiration.”
Melissa nodded with a smile, completely unaware of his concerns. “I almost forgot, wait here, I’ll change my shoes.”
Owen gripped the steering wheel, with Melissa’s excited voice in his ear. In the past, he would patiently agree, but today, for some reason, he felt
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heavy–hearted, making it difficult for him to catch his breath.
They went to the botanical garden on the outskirts of the city.
The early autumn sunlight filtered through the leaves and scattered on the ground. Melissa walked beside him, occasionally pointing to a plant and explaining softly.
Owen gradually relaxed.
At noon, they had lunch at the restaurant in the park. Melissa deliberately ordered his favorite dish and also asked for a bottle of red wine.
“You were in a bad mood today, she poured him a drink, her tone firm.”
Owen looked up at her and asked, “Is it that obvious?”
“When you frown, there will be a very faint line here.” She reached out, her fingertips stopping an inch away from his brow, then casually withdrew, “It’s been like this since college.”
He was slightly startled.
After Melissa said this, his first reaction in his mind was that Amelia had also said such words.
Owen’s hand tightened slightly as the knife and fork slid on the plate, making a faint sound.
In the afternoon, they went to see a movie.
In the darkness. Melissa’s hand quietly covered his, her fingertips slightly cold. Owen hesitated for a moment before gently returning the grip.
The necklace seemed to have absorbed his body temperature, but he never found the right time to give it away.
When the movie ended, it was already dark outside.
Melissa suggested going to a nearby bar to sit and Owen, still a bit distracted, unconsciously nodded in agreement.
In the bar restroom. he washed his face with cold water. When he looked up, the reflection in the mirror showed his eyes looking dull and unclear.
What was he doing?
Today was supposed to be a rare date with Melissa, but all he could think about was Amelia.
This is crazy….
He wiped the water stains off his face and was about to push the door open when he heard Melissa’s voice not far away.
She seemed to be on the phone, her tone completely different from the gentle one just now.
“Don’t worry. he doesn’t know anything… Those fans did a good job, they just want Amelia to taste the feeling of being cyberbullied… Yes, keep inciting, it’s best to make her too scared to even leave the house…”
Owen’s body stiffened, and the blood in his body slowly grew cold.
As he approached, Melissa had just hung up the phone. When she saw him, there was a moment of panic in her expression, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Have you been waiting for a long time? she asked with a smile.”
Owen stared at her, his voice low: “Were those fans attacking Amelia arranged by you?”
Melissa’s smile remained unchanged. “Owen, what are you talking
DP 5H
about?”
“I heard it.” he said, taking a step forward, his aura lowering dangerously. “Those rumors, you arranged them… Not only that, you also wanted to cyberbully her.”
“Amelia had no grudge against you, she even helped with your case. Why did you do this?”
Melissa’s face changed slightly, then she looked at Owen with a look of grievance and said, “Owen, did you hear wrong? How could I possibly do such a thing?”
“Enough, he interrupted her, pulling out the necklace from his pocket and placing it on the table. “We both need to calm down.”
Melissa looked at him incredulously, “Owen, how could you not believe me? We’ve known each other for so long…”
She wanted to hold the hand of the person in front of her as she spoke.
Owen turned around and left.
When I got back home, the apartment was pitch black.
He turned on the light and found Amelia’s slippers neatly placed at the door, and her coat was not on the hanger.
She had not come back yet.
Owen stood in the empty living room, suddenly feeling very tired. He turned off his phone, collapsed onto the sofa, and closed his eyes.
