Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law

Chapter 25 - Underestimated

After finishing her recounting of the events, she watched Adam closely, noting the way his gaze remained fixed on her. His expression was unreadable, but she could see the wheels turning in his head as he processed her words.

"So," he said slowly, his voice laced with both curiosity and something deeper, "you had already tipped off your friend to be on standby, and then, when he finally crossed the line, you had him arrested?"

A slow, satisfied smile curved Melanie's lips. "Hmm. He is in police custody..." she mused, her tone light, almost playful. Of course, she left out a few key details—like how her friend had more than a few good connections within the department. And how, before they dragged the bastard away, they had turned a blind eye when she landed a few well-placed hits of her own. He deserved worse, really. But if he hadn't learned his lesson after the sharp crack of her heel connecting with his skull, then, well... he'd only have himself to blame for whatever came next.

Instead, she turned her attention to the man still watching her, his brow slightly furrowed, as if trying to piece together something he couldn't quite grasp. She wondered, fleetingly, how he would react if he knew the full extent of what she had done. Would he be shocked? Amused? Impressed? The thought barely lingered before she dismissed it. She didn't need to care about that.

She smiled then—not out of amusement, but something colder. Almost lazily, she reached for her sunglasses, slipped them back onto her face and then continued, "If you're wondering about my swollen eyes, then yes, they're from crying. Because of Spencer."

Adam's gaze sharpened at that, and though she could feel the weight of his scrutiny, she didn't return it. Instead, she kept her tone calm and indifferent, "When something dies, it is better to mourn it properly." There was a finality in her words, that gave Adam pause.

Despite his machinations, Adam had not expceted Melanie to be so calm and collected at the end.While he was still understanding this, she continued without giving him a chance to say anything, "So are you willing to go ahead with this or not? And if you are... then let me remind you of your own words." Her lips curled, but it wasn't a smile—it was a challenge. "'You don't want to keep secrets between us?' Then, Adam, I think you should drop the act."

His head cocked slightly, his eyes narrowing in curiosity as he wondered what it was she was referring to, "Drop the act?"

Melanie exhaled and even as her hands clenched she stared up at him, "Hmm. This constant flirting, the way you invade my space, the way you act so damn protective—like you can't bear to see me in pain. You must think me a gullible fool if you believe I'd fall for something like that. If we're going to move forward, then we should proceed professionally. No games."

Adam stared at her then, his expression unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes. He was amused. So, she really thought he was only pretending? That his every touch, every glance, every teasing remark had been calculated? His lips curled slowly like a predator who had just found its favorite prey.

Since he had already been leaning against the table, he simply slid onto it, and with one swift motion, he hooked his boot around the leg of her chair and pulled it—pulled her—closer.The sudden movement made her jolt slightly, and when she looked up or rather when she looked ahead, she found herself staring directly at the zipper of his jeans... She looked up then and met his gaze.

He caught her chin," Would you like to check if I am only pretending, sweet melon?"Melanie stiffened. And then pushed back her chair suddenly, so that Adam almost lost his balance, as she stood up.

Before he could balance himself, she placed her hand on his shoulder, her fingers brushing against his neck.

Adam stiffened, his eyes glittering as he waited to see what she would do next. And she, of course surprised him as her other hand, slowly settled on the inside of his thigh. And then, the hand on his shoulder started to move. Her fingers tracing the side of his neck before lifting as she shot a glance to the corner of his mouth. She flicked at it lightly, barely a touch, but Adam could feel the heat all over his body, as she leaned in close, her lips barely a few centimetres away...so that they could both feel each other's breaths...

She smiled slowly then. "Careful, Adam," she murmured, her voice playful, but carrying the unmistakable edge of a challenge. "Keep pushing, and I just might call your bluff."

Adam held her gaze, and Melanie, to her credit, didn't flinch. She stared right back, challenging him to do what he had been teasing her about these three weeks. For a moment, they simply stayed as they were, locked in a silent battle of wills, neither willing to break first.

Then, suddenly, Adam threw his head back and laughed."Dam*!" he drawled, shaking his head in amusement. "You might not believe this, but I really was enjoying flirting with you. So, tell me, how did you know?"

Melanie stepped back then, pulling the chair so that she could take a seat and then motioned for Adam to take the seat opposite her," This is life, Adam. Not some fairytale novel where a toad breaks the princess' heart and then a prince comes swooping in. Most likely, another toad will come to fool the princess.

"This time, Adam laughed even more as he finally jumped off the table and went back towards a small locked cabinet on the other side of the room," Melon, my dear almost ex sister-in-law, it seems, not just Spencer but I underestimated you as well. And while I do not like being called a toad I like that you referred to Spencer as that."He then placed a file on the table, pushing it towards her," This is our prenuptial agreement. Take a look."