Chapter 16
NZG
Melanie turned around and tried to leave, but she had barely touched the doorknob when she heard Zachary’s deep voice ring out behind her.
“I had them close the entire restaurant. You can’t leave.”
Melanie froze, then gradually turned, her gaze steely. “Mr. Fuller, you’ve gone so far just to trick me into coming here.”
Zachary felt a pang in his chest when he saw Melanie’s gaze, which felt distant and unfamiliar.
He strode forward and confessed, his voice hoarse. “I looked into everything and learned that Yasmin
framed you. Also, your miscarriage…”
Melanie felt her chest tighten when she heard the mention of a miscarriage. It felt as if someone was
gripping her firmly by the neck, and she was struggling to catch her breath.
She swiftly stepped back, putting some distance between herself and Zachary.
“So? What are you trying to say?” she asked.
Seeing how Melanie reflexively resisted him, Zachary felt a jolt of sharp pain, and his breath caught in his throat. “Mel, I was deceived by her because I was certain a dying person wouldn’t tell lies.
“If I had known that she wasn’t sick, I wouldn’t have believed her words so easily.”
Melanie had once desperately hoped that Zachary would trust her. But now, she was unmoved, even when Zachary decided to side with her.
She somehow managed to force the words out. “Zachary, whether you were deceived by Yasmin or not, you can never make up for the pain you caused me.”
After all the suffering he had put Melanie through because of Yasmin, Melanie hadn’t been able to live at ease for a long time.
And now, she was awash with an indescribable sense of fear when she saw Zachary.
“Mel…” Zachary gripped Melanie’s wrist. “Please give me another chance, okay? I’ll make it up to you, just like I did in the past.”
Melanie felt her skin tingle from Zachary’s touch, as if a sudden current shot through her. She pushed him away, and the gifts in her hands fell to the ground.
While the two argued, a tall figure strode toward them and held Melanie’s shoulders.
Melanie was stunned. She didn’t even realize that Jeremy had walked up to her.
“Mr. Fuller, I don’t think it’s appropriate to force someone into doing something against their will.” His tone was calm yet laced with iciness.
Zachary’s gaze turned cold almost instantly. “How did you get in?”
“Well, this restaurant happens to be a property under Holt Group.” Jeremy looked Zachary in the eyes, his cold voice cutting through the air like a knife.
Zachary fixed his eyes on Jeremy’s hand, which was casually placed on Melanie’s shoulders, and seethed
in anger.
Just as he clenched his fist and tried to lunge forward, Melanie yelled, “Zachary, stop embarrassing yourself here!”
Zachary only questioned her back. “Have you forgotten that we haven’t divorced?”
“Divorce?” Melanie found his claim absurd. “When did we even get married in the first place?”
Her words hit Zachary like a thunderbolt, and he stood frozen in place.
Melanie had found out about everything.
“Did you really think I’d never discover it?” Melanie’s voice was trembling now. “Back when I first found out about my pregnancy, I went to get some formalities done. I was told that the marriage certificate was fake to begin with.
“After that, I went to the city hall and found out that you’re legally married to Yasmin.”
Melanie sounded eerily calm, as if she were recounting someone else’s story.
Every single word was like a knife stabbing into Zachary’s body, leaving gaping wounds all over him.
Melanie had discovered the truth a long time ago.
She had been aware of all his lousy lies, yet she had stayed by his side and silently watched him care for Yasmin all this time. Reflecting on her past actions, Melanie thought she was nothing but a fool.
“Zachary, you don’t even love me.” Melanie’s voice was soft. “You were moved because of the efforts I made in those four years, and you felt guilty.
“The person you love has always been Yasmin.” Melanie spun on her heels, the cold wind lifting the hem of her shirt.
Just as Zachary wanted to go after Melanie, Jeremy stopped him cold. “Mr. Fuller, don’t make things ugly.” As the private room door shut in his face, Zachary’s legs gave out, and he slumped into the chair.
