“Are you sure the formula is good to go?” Nathaniel said weakly. His voice was hoarse, and when he
spoke, his throat hurt.
Although he still had not looked in Melanie‘s direction, this was enough for her because it meant he
was willing to compromise.
“Yeah. We went there last night to test out the formula. To be sale, we avoided the rest, so we... “she
tried to explain hersell.
However, her explanation sounded shrill to his ears. He had been trying to forget, but as soon she
mentioned the words “last night” and “we,” the scene flashed across his mind again, provoking his
every nerve and making his blood boil.
He took a few deep breaths and curled his lands into fists, saying through gritted teeth,” Don‘t mention
last night‘s incident to me again!”
Melanie stopped talking and sat down by his bed. Looking at the side of his face, she said, “I didn‘t
want to hurt you this way, but I‘ll make things clear to you since you found out about it. Yes, I was
wrong, but you cannot deny that you‘ve always been the man I loved. I‘ve loved you, and only you! It‘s
just a deal between him and me. I didn‘t do all that just for my sake.”
“Hahaha!” Nathaniel laughed boisterously, but his movement was too big that it pulled his muscles,
hurting his wounded limbs. He laughed so hard lie teared up. “That means you did it for me too?
Should I thank the both of you then?”
He turned to look at her. There was a smile on his face, but mockery and anger were written all over it.
“If you feel better by mocking me this way, go ahead. I just want to tell you I did everything for us and
our future. That‘s the truth, regardless of what you choose to believe.”
Melanie was calm, and she spoke with determination. She looked so solemn that Nathaniel thought
she was reading some sacred vows.
“Melanie Thayer, I never knew that you were so good with your words.” “You can blame me all you
want! Just let me ask where were you when I was wronged and bullied? What about when I was alone
and helpless in Middle Valley? What were you doing when Lily was humiliating me? About the problem
with the formula, do you remember who caused the problem and who helped you seltle it? Can you tell
me that you and the company aren‘t benefitting from the new formula?
“All you know is to blame me, but liave you thought of why I had to do that? I wish I could be a stay–at–
home rich mom who only has to take care of my kids, go for manicures, and shop all day! Who forced
me onto this road?‘
She became agitated and then furious while speaking. Puzzlement flashed across Nathaniel‘s gaze.
“What? Is it my fault now?”
Melanie wiped away the tear threatening to fall from the corner of her eye, sucking in a deep breath as
she said, “I‘m not blaming you. I‘m just trying to say that none of the things that happened were what
we wished for! If I had another choice, I wouldn‘t have...”
She trailed off, then, after a moment, continued, “Nate, I fell in love with you ever since we were
students. I love you with all my heart, past, present, or future. The only reason I could keep it together
while seeing you care about Lily is that I love you. Would I have willingly become your secret lover if I
did not? You know how much I‘ve done for you all these years. I did nothing wrong to you in the past!”
Slowly, she stood up and looked clown at him indifferently. “The last thing I want to say is that I can‘t do
anything if you can‘t accept what has happened. Breaking up is an option too for us if you like.”
Then, she left the hospital ward.
During lunch, Lily and Olivia had planned out most of the things about their trip.
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