Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law

"You can't go." Max stepped in front of Adam, stopping him before he could head out to meet Melanie.

Adam froze, his hand tightening around the car door handle, and then turned sharply to glare at his best friend. "What do you mean I can't go?" His voice was clipped, every word carrying an edge.

Max shifted uncomfortably under the weight of Adam's stare but forced himself to answer. "Cadence Sint has already reached here. He's on his way to the Thomas family home as we speak."

Adam stiffened at once. His eyes narrowed, his shoulders squared, and his grip on the door tightened until his knuckles turned white. "What do you mean he is already on his way here?" His tone was cold, demanding, each syllable deliberate. "Wasn't he supposed to arrive tomorrow?"

Max winced at the sharpness in his friend's voice. He let out a slow sigh before answering, trying to sound calm though he clearly wasn't. "That's what I knew. That's what I was told. But it looks like the man changed his plan at the last moment. He didn't inform anyone. How was I supposed to predict that?"

Adam's frustration boiled over. He pulled his hand back from the car and kicked at the door with sudden force, the dull thud echoing through the quiet night. Turning back toward Max, his face hardened, jaw clenched tight. "I want to talk to Melanie," he said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Max nodded quickly, holding his hands up in a half-pacifying gesture. "I know. And you will. Don't worry. Melanie already had cameras installed in every room of the house. If you want to see her, we'll go to the surveillance room and check from there."

Adam's expression remained dark, but he didn't argue, so Max pressed on. "Listen to me. Whatever happens, don't do something reckless in the coming days. You need to remember this—according to Marianne Thomas, you're not even here. As far as she knows, you're still out of the country with Melanie. That cover has to stay intact. So be careful. Control yourself."

As they stepped into the surveillance room, Adam felt even more uncomfortable. Even though Melanie had been the one to suggest all the cameras and he knew it was for her safety, the fact that the man who had kidnapped her, and wanted to be close to her was not going to live under the same roof as her for the next few days, made him want to punch someone or something.

And yet, all he could do was watch as Melanie paced in the large room while probably waiting for that men.

"She knows they are coming?"

"She is the one who informed us. That person probably messaged her."

While Max said that with a tone of relief, Adam took it with a pinch (bottleful actually) of jealousy. Why did she have to insist on taking that person's help. He'd rather ruin that Cadence Sint.

Just then, he watched as Melanie went to answer the door, and two men walked in. Cadence Sing and Dr Jung... His hands clenched.

***

Melanie opened the door to the two men and even though she pretended to be calm on the surface, she could feel her insides trembling. Only the thought of Adam hopefully watching her gave her the strength to go forward with this outrageous plan that she had in mind.

Careful to keep her expression surprised so that Cadence Sint would not suspect anything, she stepped back suddenly and asked," Cadence? Dr Jung? What are you doing here?

Cadence raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on her as if studying every flicker of her expression. His lips curved into a faint smile, but his tone carried something sharper underneath. "So that's how it is? Not even a welcome, Melody? Straight to interrogation?"

The hint of mockery in his voice made her stiffen. For a heartbeat, she didn't move, but then, forcing herself to act, she leaned forward and gave him a quick, almost reluctant hug. Her arms barely brushed his shoulders before she stepped back, pulling away before he could return the gesture.

The momentary contact left her uneasy but she gave him a smile,hoping as hell it looked genuine, "I didn't mean it like that," she said in a low voice. "It's just that I wasn't expecting you here so soon."

"Well. I just came a day early Mel After all, I did tell you I would come to you soon. Now, where are your parents? I'll talk to them and then we can leave."

Melanie shook her head sharply as she stared at the man," My parents are not here. They went out for a vacation. I... Why don't you stay here for a few more days. Get to know my parents and then we can..."

"What is the need to get to know..." Cadence started but then looking at her expression, seemed to rethink his statement and said," Okay. Where is your bedroom?"

"You can't stay in my bedroom." Melanie said in a panic that had Cadence looking at her with a glare," You said we could be together once we had your parents' blessings..."

"But you haven't met them yet." Melanie said quickly, continuing," Cadence. My father is old fashioned. He would not like you staying in my room. I'll ask the maid to prepare a guest bedroom for you. Please...Just for a few days, until my parents are convinced, please keep your distance...

Cadence stared at Melanie intently and Melanie stared back, suppressing the urge to look away. At least look at Dr Jung for some support. But she knew, doing that would only anger the beast who was currently pretending to be a harmless sparrow.

Finally, after what felt like ages, Cadence nodded and answered, "Okay. You can prepare a room. We will be all nice and proper for your parents."

Melanie let out a breath of relief and nodded," That is wonderful. Thank you, Cadence. Have a seat, I will ask the maid to make the preparations..."