Chapter 5

After the auction ended, guests trickled out in small groups. Taking advantage of Dustin being surrounded by people, Jane sidled up to Melanie and whispered smugly, "Melanie, do you see it now? Dustin likes me. Keep clinging to him, and all you do is annoy him more." Melanie met her gaze. "You'll get what you want soon." "What do you mean?" Jane frowned. Melanie didn't answer and turned to leave. Just then, a scream came from behind. Melanie swerved around—only to see Jane tumbling down the stairs. "Melanie!" Dustin's roar echoed through the hall. He rushed over, shoving her aside so forcefully she crashed into the wall. "What did Jane do to you? Why did you hurt her?" he demanded, glowering at her. "Even if I failed to protect you before, why take it out on her? You should've just dealt with me instead!" Melanie's body was pressed against the cold wall. "I didn't push her," she said, her voice soft yet unwavering. "Dustin…" Jane clutched his sleeve weakly. "It was my fault… not Ms. Wright's…" "No need to defend her!" Dustin glared at Melanie, then bent down and scooped Jane into his arms. He turned to Melanie and spat, "I don't give a damn about you. Go back on your own." Melanie stood where she was, watching him hurry off with Jane. His suit jacket was still draped over her, and he held her carefully, as if he were holding a treasure. He was always like this, anyway. Whenever Jane cried, Melanie was automatically at fault. Melanie touched the plane ticket in her pocket—a flight bound for Langton that would take away all her love and pain. He wouldn't see her as a burden anymore. Soon, she would disappear from his world entirely. The auction hall was far from their villa, situated in a remote area. Melanie couldn't get a taxi and had to walk home. By the time she was halfway there, rain began to fall. Cold water soaked her hair and clothes, and with her shoes filled with water, each step felt like treading on knives. When she finally reached home, her feet were blistered, and she burned with a fever. She forced herself to treat the wounds and then collapsed into a hazy sleep. … The next morning, Melanie was woken by noise downstairs. She went downstairs and found the living room filled with Jane's luggage. Dustin's voice came from the living room. "Jane's parents are abroad, and it's not safe for her to live alone. She'll stay here for a few days. Keep an eye on her and don't play any tricks." "I won't," Melanie said weakly, trudging down the stairs, her face ashen. She wouldn't play tricks anymore. She wouldn't love him anymore, either.