Chapter 22
After Melanie and Jeremy got together, life went on peacefully as usual.
However, there was something she struggled to tell Jeremy.
Back then, she had suffered a miscarriage because of Zachary. The doctor had said that her womb had been injured terribly, and it would be difficult for her to conceive ever again.
Jeremy kept assuring her that he wouldn’t mind even if they didn’t have kids, but Melanie knew he was the
sole heir of Holt Group.
He didn’t care for children, but the Holts might not have the same thought.
This realization plagued Melanie’s mind, constantly pricking at her like a needle.
That day, Melanie went to the hospital for a checkup.
After going through her examination report, the doctor shook his head helplessly. “There aren’t any effective methods for now. I’d advise you not to force things.”
Clutching the report, Melanie walked out of the consultation room.
It was just a flimsy piece of paper, yet it felt as heavy as a rock.
Just then, she vaguely heard someone calling her.
“Mel…”
The voice sounded so feeble. It was as if it came from somewhere far away.
Melanie diverted her gaze and saw the ward door that was left ajar.
Through the gap, she saw a familiar face-belonging to her father.
Lying on the bed, Charles no longer looked as confident and energetic as he used to.
His cheeks were hollow, and his eyes were sunken. He was reduced to just skin and bones now.
Melanie subconsciously clutched her bag.
Since she had gone abroad, she never met her father again.
The last time they had met, he had cursed her and said she was no longer his daughter.
Melanie stood at the door. The rational side of her told her that she should leave, yet she stood frozen in
place.
Staring at Charles’ dim and bloodshot eyes, she eventually walked into the ward.
“Mel, it’s really you…” Charles’ voice trembled as he struggled to lift his arm. “I thought I was hallucinating.”
Chapter
Melanie stared at him, her voice so cold and distant that she barely recognized it herself. “Why are you
here?”
“I’ve been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. I have about two months left.” Charles let out a
bitter laugh.
Melanie’s breath hitched a little.
Although she hated him, she could feel her chest tighten uncontrollably when she heard him say that he
was dying.
“Really? That’s such a pity,” she replied, her voice hoarse and apathetic.
The ward reeked of the smell of antiseptic, and it was shrouded in a heavy stillness at the promise of
death.
Charles forced himself up. Melanie subconsciously stepped forward to help, but she stopped halfway.
Charles stared at her, his gaze laced with an unfamiliar tenderness. “I only realized today that you look just like your mom.”
Melanie’s face fell when she heard him mention her mother. “Don’t mention her in front of me. You have
no right to.”
Pain flickered in Charles’ eyes. “I know. I wronged both you and your mom.”
“It’s meaningless to talk about all this now.” Melanie cut him off. “If you called me over just to express your remorse, then you can forget about it.”
Just as she tried to turn around and leave, Charles called out to stop her.
“Hold on…” he rasped. “I heard that you’re dating Jeremy.”
Melanie didn’t respond.
Charles took a deep breath as if mustering his courage. “Susan and Yasmin… have been sent somewhere far away by Zachary. The Holts have connections on both sides. Could you please help-”
“No way.” Melanie rejected him without hesitation, the last bit of sympathy she harbored for Charles vanishing at once. “They were in cahoots and wanted me dead. But now, you want me to help them?”
Charles’ face paled as he stretched out his trembling hand. “Mel, I’m dying. This is my final wish.”
“Charles Lloyd, keep this in mind.” Melanie took a step back and avoided his hand. “They’re just paying for
what they’ve done. The same goes for you.”
Her voice was icy, every single word piercing right through Charles’ heart like knives.
With that, Melanie left the ward without looking back.
In the hallway, Melanie straightened her back, but suddenly, her legs gave out at a corner. Supporting
herself against the wall, she gradually crouched down and covered her face.
It was all over. That was the only thought that flashed through her mind.
All the past grudges she had with the Lloyds finally came to an end.
