Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law

Chapter 82 - The Zone

Adam lay in his bed , his lips curved upward in what one might generously call a smile. It wasn't one, not really.

There was no warmth, no humor—just cold satisfaction that was reflected in his eyes and the 'curve' of his mouth... Like Melanie, he too was watching pictures on his phone... but it wasn't their pictures he was focused on. He'd seen them and shared them with her, but his original target had been someone else.

And now that held his attention- Spencer.

It had been no accident that those pictures of him and Melanie had turned out so perfectly. He was the one who had made sure of that. Of course, he'd instructed the photographer to take a few ambiguous shots but the ones on the flyboard had been a pleasant surprise, for turning up the way they had.

Adam had personally hired a professional—one skilled enough to capture every intimate angle, every seemingly candid moment that painted a perfect illusion of a couple deeply in love. All for Spencer's benefit.

And now, as Adam scrolled through the photos he had just received on his phone, his replayed the video he had just saved. The one where Spencer, red-faced and furious, had smashed everything within his reach—a vase, a glass, even his own phone flung across the room in a fit of rage. The sound of shattering echoed faintly from the video, but Adam barely noticed.

His focus was on Spencer's face, twisted with anger and frustration, and that flicker of helplessness on his face

Adam's smile widened, slow and satisfied. Perfect. Everything was going exactly as he'd planned. He'd sent those pictures of himself and Melanie to Spencer, and just as he'd anticipated, Spencer had lost it. The image of the man smashing things in a fit of rage replayed in Adam's mind, and he let out a quiet chuckle. Predictable.

Just then, his phone rang. Without bothering to check the screen, Adam answered with a casual, "Hmm?"

"You were right," Max's voice came through with a note of disbelief lacing his words. "He's already started diverting whatever liquid funds he can scrape together into FineArt. He's pulling every string to get them developed. How did you know he'd do something like this? And during these days at that?"

Adam's smile deepened, a sharp edge of triumph curling at the corners of his mouth. "Because," he said easily, "he thinks I took what belongs to him. And now, he wants to take it back."

For a moment, there was only silence on the other end of the line. Adam could almost picture Max frowning, piecing things together.

"Wait..." Max finally said, voice slower now. "You mean Melanie?"

"Hmm. Melanie. I want Spencer to focus on her so that he would make a mistake and he is already doing that."

"You're playing a dangerous game," Max muttered, thinking of the woman he had met that night. He didn't think that she was aware of how she was being used by Adam. "It's not like you to use someone like that."

Adam paused. "When did I use her?"

However, as Adam disconnected the call, he realized that he might indeed have done exactly that.

He wanted to deny it and told himself everything had fallen into place naturally, that he hadn't truly manipulated Melanie. But deep down, he knew the truth. He might not have set out to use her, but he'd taken advantage of the situation the moment it presented itself. And that... that was just as bad.

He sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. He'd ended up doing things that Spencer did. Getting her trust and then using it for is own gains.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

If she found out what he'd done — no, when she found out — she wouldn't forgive him. And she should know. She deserved to know. He liked the way her eyes sparkled and

Decision made, Adam pushed himself off the bed and decisively walked out.

He'd lay everything out and accept whatever came next. If she hated him, so be it.

Pausing in front of her door, he raised his hand to knock — but stopped. What was he even going to say?

"Hey, I know you've started trusting me, but actually, I was using you as bait for your ex-husband." Yeah, that would go over well.

But even if that did not go well, he'd started everything with honesty and he would keep it like that. That was the only way their partnership would be successful.

Letting out a breath, he knocked once and waited. It was now or never.

***

Melanie woke up with a snap, blinking blearily at the knocking on her door. Pushing her hair out of her face, she stumbled out of bed and shuffled toward the door, still half-asleep.

The moment she opened it, her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. Adam stood there, barefoot, his hair tousled as if he'd just rolled out of bed — which, judging by his appearance, he had.

But the most important and to be noted thing was... that he was not wearing anything but his boxers. And looking too hot and flustered.

"Uh..." she managed, her gaze dropping involuntarily, scanning all that smoot skin and muscle, before snapping back to his face. "Is everything... okay?"

Adam nodded, a little too quickly and said, "Yeah. Yeah, everything's fine."

Melanie frowned. "Then... why are you?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Like this?"

He blinked, then glanced down at himself — and froze.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath. She watched as he quickly covered himself like a little maiden and giggled. Glaring at her, he stepped forward and nudging her aside entered her room.

"Hey! What are you—?"

Ignoring her, Adam looked around the room, intending to grab a blanket but then his gaze zeroed in on the bathrobe draped over the armchair by the window. Snatching it up, he hastily shrugged it on.

The robe, slightly damp and far too short for his frame, clung to him awkwardly. The sleeves barely reached his elbows, and the hem hovered dangerously high above his knees.

Melanie stared, as he brows arched upward, trying not to laugh outright. Adam Collins loooked downright cute in pink . "Really?"

"Don't start," Adam muttered, cinching the belt tightly around his waist. His gaze flicked to her, and he suddenly seemed to realize how ridiculous he looked.

Melanie crossed her arms. "Are you sure you're okay? Because this... this feels very not okay."

"I'm fine," he insisted, but his voice lacked its usual confidence. "I just... forgot I wasn't wearing—"

"Clothes?" she supplied dryly.

He winced, dragging a hand down his face. "Yeah... that."

"Okay..." Melanie said slowly, her eyes narrowing. "So why exactly were you standing outside my door in your underwear?"

Adam hesitated, before giving her a nod, "I... needed to talk to you."

"And it couldn't wait until morning?"

"It's important," he said and Melanie was intrigued. Just what could make Adam Collins, the most shameless man she knew to exist become flustered like this.

Melanie stared at him a beat longer, then sighed and turned back toward her bed. "Fine. Whatever. Just... sit down and try not to flash me while you figure out what you actually want to say."