Chapter 57
Toby felt a deep sense of pity for Melina. After putting so much effort into preparing the lunchbox and waiting for hours, it never even reached its intended recipient, Andrew.
He finished the meal with satisfaction, knowing It was made with care. “Thank you, Melina. The food was really delicious,” he said warmly.
Melina seemed a bit happier. At least, someone had appreciated the meal she had worked so hard to
prepare.
She didn’t mention going home, so Toby stayed with her, sitting on the steps as they chatted, exchanging
small talk.
This time, Toby didn’t call her “Mrs. Wentworth. Under the circumstances, it just felt wrong to say.
Meanwhile, Andrew returned to Oakread. The house was dark, which made him frown. Melina usually left a light on. He had gotten used to having someone waiting for him.
As he stepped inside, the emptiness of the house made his expression darken. It was late, and Melina wasn’t there. He didn’t like it, but he pushed the thought aside and went about his routine.
Since Melina had moved back into Dakread, Andrew had almost forgotten about his insomnia.
Tonight, lying in bed, the faint traces of her presence still lingered in the room, and he eventually drifted off to sleep.
The night was as black as a deep abyss.
The nightmares returned.
“I’m so hungry,” a voice whispered.
“I just fed you yesterday! Why are you complaining about being hungry? I don’t have time for this. If you’re hungry, catch a rat! Filthy creatures like you should be eating rats anyway.”
The boy was locked in a place that felt like a sewer, gaunt and starving. People would occasionally pass by, but they only looked at him with indifference.
He curled up on the cold, damp floor, gazing up at the sky. The sun seemed as distant as the outside world, both equally shrouded in darkness.
Hunger gnawed at him endlessly, and a bitter hatred grew inside him. He wanted everyone to disappear.
Andrew, trapped in his sleep, radiated a dark and violent aura.
Suddenly, his eyes shot open, his expression like that of a demon emerging from the depths of hell.
It took him a moment to realize he wasn’t trapped in a sewer. He was in his bed.
But the absence of Melina, her calming presence, was palpable.
Andrew reached for his phone, only to remember he didn’t have Melina’s number. Frustration boiled over, and he nearly threw the phone against the wall.
Toby’s words from earlier flashed through his mind–Melina had gone to Wentworth Corporation to bring
him dinner.
Without hesitation, Andrew dialed Toby’s number.
Chapter 57
Toby, still sitting with Melina, glanced at the caller ID and nearly rolled his eyes. Of course, it was Andrew looking for Melina.
These two were something else. Neither of them would reach out to each other, but somehow both would always turn to him.
What was he, their personal messenger?
Moving a few steps away to take the call quietly, Toby listened to Andrew on the other end before responding, “Andrew, I did tell you that winning a woman’s heart can be easy, but I also told you losing it can be just as simple.”
The call disconnected.
Toby sighed. If Andrew kept this up, he’d regret it sooner or later.
After ending the call, Toby turned back to Melina. “It’s really late now. Let me take you home.”
that
“Oh, alright. Thank you again, Dr. Ludwig. I’m sorry to trouble you so much today, Melina agreed softly. obediently following his suggestion.
Toby couldn’t help but think about how sweet and honest she was.
People like her–the ones who never wanted to burden anyone–were always the ones most easily taken for granted.
Melina was one of those people.
Even though she was sad and clearly didn’t want to return to Oakread, she didn’t want to trouble others either.
However, Melina was thinking, “Dr. Ludwig offering me a ride was already an inconvenience to him.”
Quietly, Melina climbed into the car, still holding the weight of her emotions inside.
