Chapter 42

Christopher approached the small guest room, hand raised to call Melody for food. He hesitated, then lowered his hand. Instead, he reheated leftover rice in the kitchen. To his surprise, it was flavorful—Melody's cooking, sweet and delicious.

The next day, Melody found half the rice gone. She frowned, wondering if she'd discarded it the previous night. Rather than make fried rice, she cooked eggs and bacon.

Christopher awoke early, hungry. Seeing the simple breakfast, he frowned. "Why isn't it fried rice?"

"There wasn't enough rice," Melody replied flatly.

He paused, remembering his actions the night before. Guilt pricked him, but he remained silent. "Then cook what rice is left, just for me," he said.

She didn't answer, simply preparing a quick meal of rice, eggs, and green onions. Christopher ate everything, including the bacon.

"For lunch, I want shrimp scampi, pork ribs, and mushroom soup," he said at the door, pausing before opening it. He remained silent, unable to thank her.

Melody was washing dishes when she looked up to see Cynthia leaning against the wall.

"Melody, being a nanny isn't easy, huh? You're up before the rooster and to bed after the dog," Cynthia sneered. "You seem to enjoy it so much. How about I marry Christopher and hire you back?" She grinned.

Melody met her gaze calmly. "You don't need to keep targeting me. I'm divorcing Christopher soon."

"Do you think I believe that? Someone like you would never let go of a good man like Christopher," Cynthia scoffed.

Melody retrieved a document from her room. Seeing the title, Cynthia paused. "This is the divorce agreement," Melody said. "I've signed it. You can give it to him. The sooner, the better."

Cynthia examined the signed document. Melody continued, "I'm leaving with nothing. Don't worry."

Cynthia crossed her arms. "Anything Christopher's grandfather and parents gave you should be returned. Those things were meant for me."

"You're overthinking it. The Fuller family never treated me well," Melody replied indifferently. "The initial ten million was part of the marriage agreement, not included here."

"I don't believe you," Cynthia said suspiciously. "Didn't you trick Daniel into marrying you off to Christopher?"

"Up to you. You've already searched my room," Melody said, returning to the dishes. "If you don't want to give him the agreement, don't. He might refuse to divorce again."

As Melody disappeared, Cynthia clutched the document, recalling Christopher's previous reaction to the mention of divorce.

At noon, at Fuller Group, Christopher checked the time every ten minutes, awaiting Melody's lunch delivery. She hadn't arrived by noon, and he was about to call when the office door opened.

"Melody, why are you—" He looked up, his complaint dying as he saw Cynthia. "Cynthia? Why are you here?"