I stood frozen for a second, my heart thumping. Did she just… do this on purpose? Was she trying to provoke me, to make me react?
I clenched my fists, “Are you insane? Do you get off hurting yourself by messing with me?”
Lillian looked at me, “Oh, Melissa… don’t you get it? I’m the one who matters to him now. You… you’re just background noise. Try and stop me if you can, but you won’t. You’ve already lost him.”
“You… you think this makes you strong? You’re pathetic. And he… he doesn’t even care.”
She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. “He cares about what matters. And that’s me. Not you. Not your tears. Not your pain. You should’ve known that the moment you looked at him and thought you still had a chance. Watch me.” Then she screamed. “Melissa, don't hurt me!”
The office door slammed open and Christopher walked in like he owned the place, his eyes flicking between Lillian and me. “What the hell is going on here?”
Lillian stepped back, biting her lip, tears threatening to fall. “I… I’m sorry, Chris. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come here. Mrs. Bellingham must have misunderstood everything…” She glanced at me, scared, like I could snap at any moment.
He didn’t even look at her. He went straight for me and grabbed my hand. “Melissa… are you burned? Did she touch you?” His brow was furrowed so deep I thought it might crack.
“I didn’t splash her. It wasn’t me.”
Christopher’s jaw tightened, and then he let out a heavy sigh. “I told you before, the assistant could’ve delivered the documents. Get out!” He gestured at Lillian.
Lillian’s red eyes filled with that fake wronged look. “I… I was just trying to—”
“Get out!” he cut her off, louder this time. She hesitated, then finally turned and left without another word.
He turned back to me, still holding my hand, his voice softer but tense. “Melissa… I didn’t expect her to be this reckless. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
I stared at him, my chest tight. “And you… what about trusting me? You always leave me to deal with this crap alone.”
His lips pressed together, then he smiled, almost helplessly. “I love you, okay? I would never do anything to betray you. But you… you need to trust me more. Don’t go hurting people over nothing. Innocent people. You get that?”
I pulled my hand away, frowning. “I didn’t hurt her.” “Fine. If you say no, then no. Jesus, Melissa.” He glanced at his watch, impatience flashing. “I’ve got a meeting. Go home, rest. I’ll come back early tonight. I’ll keep you company.”
And just like that, he left without waiting for me to respond.
I stood there, frozen, then found myself following him, my legs moving on their own. He walked fast, catching up to Lillian before I could say anything. She threw herself at him like she owned him. “Chris, I’m sorry, I’ve been careful, really. Every time I come here, I disguise myself like a thief…”
His hands on her shoulders, voice low and dangerous. “Don’t cry. I’ll clear your name for what happened back then. You don’t need to hide anymore.”
Her lips trembled, and she whispered, “I just… I don’t want to sneak around anymore, not in my last moments…”
His eyes darkened, and for a second I thought he might crush her in that grip of his. “I said don’t cry. You’re done hiding. Done.”
I felt bile rise in my throat and turned away before I said something I’d regret. Back home, I checked my phone. My immigration application would be done in a few days. Finally.
I started packing, sorting through my things, throwing out what didn’t matter, keeping only the documents, clothes, and the gift box I’d prepared.
The moment Christopher opened the door, I could feel him stiffen. He paused, like he knew immediately something was wrong.
The room felt emptier than before, a lot of the decorations were gone, and a corner of the wardrobe was completely bare. Christopher’s voice broke the silence, low and uneasy, “Melissa, why are so many things missing?”
I didn’t even look up. “It’s old, we’re getting new stuff.”
His eyes fell on the gift box on the table. “And what’s this?”
“I made a little surprise for you. You can only open it in a few days.”
He hesitated a moment, then nodded without pressing further. After a pause he said, “There’s a family dinner tonight. Melissa, you… come back to the old house with me.”
I looked up at him and saw that look in his eyes. There was no way I could refuse. I just nodded and got into the car.
The old Bellingham house was bright, too bright, and too loud. I followed him into the living room and froze. His parents were there, Lillian’s parents, and Lillian was holding her daughter, laughing, teasing the little girl like she owned her. They looked so… happy, so normal.
I slowly turned to Christopher. “What… what does all this mean?”
He took my hand and his face softened a little. “Melissa, we looked into everything. You… misunderstood Lillian. You thought she was after you, but she wasn’t. I know you acted because you love me too much. I don’t blame you, okay?”
I blinked at him, my voice shaky. “Misunderstood? Christopher… are you seriously telling me I would try to hurt her, frame her?”
Before he could answer, his mother slammed her hand on the table. “Still arguing? Get over here and kneel down! You need to be taught a lesson today!”
Christopher stepped in front of me, frowning. “Mom, we agreed an apology was enough, didn’t we?”
I shook off his hand. “I did nothing wrong. Why the hell should I apologize?”
Lillian, clutching her daughter, couldn’t hold back anymore. Her eyes were red and wet. “Sister Melissa, you know what happened back then. So many years have passed, why won’t you just let me go?”
Lillian’s mother lunged forward, ignoring Christopher, and slapped me hard across the face. “You bitch! You framed my daughter, and now you still deny it? Lowly people like you are born liars!”
I staggered back, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth. My eyes swept over everyone before locking on Christopher. “You… you don’t believe me either?”
He looked away, his jaw tight, but his father’s voice mentioned family discipline, and Christopher stepped in front of me instinctively.
Then his mother snapped at him, voice sharp and venomous. “Christopher! How long are you going to protect her? Melissa hurt Lillian for years. She even made her sick, and still she ignores her own health to give birth to you!”
“Mom! Stop!” Christopher shouted, panic and frustration in his voice as he turned to me, helplessness flashing in his eyes. “Melissa… I can’t let you make the same mistake again.”
He stepped aside, and two servants grabbed me, forcing me to my knees.
“Christopher… you’re letting them do this?”
The first hit slammed into my back.
