Chapter 65

“I won’t push you. Tell me when you’re ready,” Heidi sighed.

“Alright,” Melody replied, lifting her head and offering a faint smile.

After trying on several outfits, they bought everything that suited her and then chose some high heels. Finally, they entered a hair salon. “Cut my hair short, to my collarbone,” Melody said, sitting before the mirror.

The hairstylist began trimming while Melody stared at her reflection. She looked drained and defeated, lacking any spark or vitality. She had left Christopher behind; she should live well, shouldn't she? She had escaped the cage and would never return.

A smile appeared on her lips. She would slowly rebuild herself and reclaim her true identity.

“Don’t cut it straight across. Layer it, and curl the ends to flip out. Also, curl the top with a middle parting,” Heidi instructed the stylist.

Two hours later, the haircut was finished. Heidi was satisfied with Melody’s new look. “It looks great! It’s like you’ve got a whole new head. With some light makeup for work, you’ll be perfect.”

Melody touched her hair. “I feel different—more polished, and it’s taken away some of the exhaustion.”

It was time to meet Anthony for dinner, so Heidi drove Melody to the restaurant.

Melody borrowed lipstick. Heidi teased, “Is it because you’re meeting Anthony?”

“Don’t joke like that. Nothing is going on between me and him,” Melody said.

“You might not think so, but he liked you in college. He was pursuing you, but you turned him down,” Heidi replied.

Melody paused. It was true that Anthony had confessed back then, but at that time, she still liked Christopher and had no interest in anyone else.

“I want to apply a touch-up. I don’t want him to ask me too many questions,” Melody explained, returning the lipstick to Heidi’s bag.

“Alright, but if he’s still interested now that you’re back, I think you should consider it,” Heidi said.

Melody pressed her lips together, remaining silent. She didn’t want to think about the past. Even if something like that happened, she wouldn’t consider it; the past two years of suffering had made her incapable of feeling “love.”

Meanwhile, at the Fuller Group, it was nearly lunchtime. Sheldon held the signed rental contract, heading to the president’s office to collect the documents Christopher had already signed.

But upon entering, Christopher was in a daze, staring into space. The piles of pending documents remained unsigned.

“Mr. Fuller, here’s the rental contract for your review,” Sheldon said.

Christopher returned to reality and reached for the contract, briefly glancing at the terms. Six months minimum—fine. He could renew it later.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave. Do you want me to order lunch for you?” Sheldon asked.

“No, thanks,” Christopher replied; he planned to meet Cynthia for lunch.

Sheldon was about to leave when Christopher ordered, “Call Melody” before he could turn around. Sheldon paused, realizing she likely hadn’t answered Christopher’s calls again.

He pulled out his phone, but before dialing, hesitated. If he called her, would Christopher get angry out of jealousy? After all, it had happened before.

“Put it on speaker,” Christopher added.

Sheldon looked up, studying Christopher’s expression. There was no clear anger, but his mood seemed dark, his eyes clouded with frustration. He followed instructions and put the phone on speakerphone.