Rodney hadn't even finished when I whipped my hand back and cracked it across his face.
His words cut off. His head snapped to the side, and when he turned back there was pure disbelief in his eyes.
I flexed my wrist and gave a cold little laugh.
"She wanted me to hit her. I didn't feel like it."
"But since you showed up, I'll hit you instead. No need to thank me."
At the sound of my voice, Rodney grabbed Sophie and yanked her behind him, shielding her like she needed protecting.
"If I'd known you'd still be acting like this today, I never would've let Sophie come find you."
"Sophie didn't do anything wrong. I only looked after her because of you—what have you got to sulk about? Being good to her, is that suddenly a crime?"
"Melissa, since when did you get so aggressive?"
That instinctive move to shield her—it stung my eyes like a needle.
"You say neither of you did anything wrong. Fine. Then let me ask you this, Rodney."
"If it had been me. If I were the one being that good to your friend, if I let your friend move into our home, if I prepared two of every birthday gift, if I said yes to a proposal from you and your friend at the same time—"
"Would you still think your friend and I did nothing wrong? Could you accept it?"
His livid face froze in that instant.
His lips moved without sound, and something wavered in his eyes.
That was when Sophie clutched at his arm.
"Rodney, let's just go. Melissa's still angry right now."
"We can talk it out properly once she's calmed down."
That snapped him out of it. His face darkened again.
"Melissa, this is our last chance."
"Think it over carefully. I built my own company straight out of college. I'm ahead of everyone my age."
"If we break up, you'll never find a better man than me."
I slapped him again, hard.
This time I put everything into it.
"Rodney, what makes you think my worth as a person is decided by the man next to me?"
"Whoever's next to me, I'm still me."
His face was full of fury and he was about to say something when a smooth, lovely voice cut in.
"Oh, Mr. Butler, listen to you."
"Anyone who didn't know better would think that company's success was all your doing."
