Melanie stared at her reflection in the mirror, her fingers absentmindedly twisting the wedding ring on her hand. The metal felt colder than usual, its once comforting weight now feeling like a burden. A bitter smile tugged at her lips as she continued to look at herself. She was a class one fool, that is what she was.
She breathed deeply, and with a single motion, pulled open the drawer in front of her. Her hand hesitated briefly before closing around the envelope hidden inside. She was the one who hidden it away, thinking she could pretend it didn't exist, that she would never need it. But the truth had a way of creeping back in, no matter how much she wanted to avoid it.
She deserved an award for her ability to bury her head in the sand. Spencer had changed. Or maybe he had always been like this, and she had simply never seen it. Maybe she hadn't wanted to see it. She'd been blinded by love.
Letting out a slow breath, she carefully unfolded the note inside the envelope, her eyes scanning the familiar words.
"Consider this a favour. If you want to know the truth about your husband, go through it."
Her gaze drifted to the USB stick resting at the bottom of the drawer, untouched since the day she had received it. She had not even given it a single thought and simply buried it here, thinking that someone was probably only trying to sow discord between them. But now... She'd have to take a look for sure.
Before she could reach for the USB again, a sharp knock on the door startled her. Heart pounding, she shoved the note back into the drawer and slipped the USB stick into her purse just as the door opened.
Spencer stood there, his expression impatient and sulky. His tie was loose around his neck, and he ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, clearly annoyed.
"Come down faster," he muttered. "I need to get to the office. I'm getting late. I can't let your tardiness ruin my first impression on everyone."
Melanie met his gaze with a blank expression, unwilling to engage in another pointless exchange. "I'll be down in a minute," she said neutrally. Her tardiness?
Without waiting for a response, she turned back toward the mirror, gave her one last look and then grabbing her purse before heading for the door. But before she could step out, her mother-in-law's voice rang through the hallway.
"Melanie!"
She closed her eyes briefly, swallowing back a sigh before pivoting toward the source of the voice. Could the woman ever not stop her from going out? With measured steps, she entered her mother-in-law's lavishly furnished room.
"You're not going to the office today," the old woman announced, setting her cup down with a soft clink. "Spencer is back, and you are not needed there."
Melanie clenched her jaw, "I have to go," she said evenly. "If only to hand over everything to Spencer." Though she had no intention to only handover the things. The company did not just belong to Spencer. It was the hard work of her and her own grandmother as well. Like hell, she was going to give that all up and sit at home to become a personal maid to her mother-in-law.
Her mother-in-law gave her a sharp look but said nothing further. It was clear she thought Melanie's place was in the house, waiting dutifully for her husband's return rather than concerning herself with business matters. But Melanie was past caring what the woman thought. The only reason she had kept quiet until now was because of her love for Spencer. She'd wanted him to come back to a peaceful home.
Turning on her heel, she walked out, quickening her pace toward the foyer where her husband had probably worn a hole in the carpet by now... But as she reached the entrance, the butler stopped her with an apologetic look.
"Ma'am, Mr. Collins has already left with his friend," he informed her.
Melanie nodded even as her heart flickered. She'd waited for the man for three years. And he could not wait three minutes. "Fine," she said briskly. "Get another car ready for me."
The butler hesitated. "Madam… the car keys. Your mother-in-law took them a while ago."
Melanie inhaled sharply, irritation curling inside her. "Of course, she did," she muttered under her breath. She should have known.
The butler gave her a sympathetic glance before retreating, leaving her standing at the grand entrance with no means of transport. She could walk, but it since this was a gated community and no public transport was allowed inside... it would take her at least twenty minutes of walking in heels.
Just as she was contemplating her next move, the low hum of an engine reached her ears, followed by the distinct screech of tires. A motorcycle pulled up in front of her, the rider dressed in black from head to toe, a helmet concealing his face.
Melanie's breath caught. Again. It was him. Why was he always here?
"You need a ride?" His voice was familiar—too familiar.
Her fingers curled around the strap of her purse as she stared at him.