Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law

Chapter 282: Scared

Melody trudged forward slowly, limping slightly as she made her way toward her car. Every step sent a dull ache shooting up her leg, and the thought of driving made her wince. Thankfully, her house wasn’t far. If she took it slow, she should still be able to manage.

Just as she was about to take another cautious step, something unexpected happened. A small hand slipped quietly into hers. Startled, Melody glanced down and blinked in surprise.

Adir.

He was holding her hand gently, trying to offer support.

"Adir? I thought you left," she said, confused.

Adir shook his head firmly. "Miss Melody, you were hurt. I had to make sure you went home safely. We will take you."

Melody followed the direction of his gaze and saw Adam leaning against his car, arms crossed loosely over his chest looking like a model from GQ.

He’d waited for her.

Her heart gave a small, involuntary jump. She hadn’t expected that. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, actually, she had. And that was that since he’d brought the school nurse for her, he would take Adir and be gone. This... was unexpected.

"Come," Adir said softly, giving her hand a little tug.

Melody began hobbling toward the car with Adir by her side, her excitement growing with each step. She could already picture sitting next to Adam, maybe even exchanging a few words—anything to break the strange silence between them. Her fingers twitched slightly at the thought of reaching for the door handle, of settling into the seat beside him.

But just as she reached for the front passenger door, Adir stepped forward and beat her to it- not to open the door she was heading for, but the back one.

She paused, blinking at him. Then her eyes shifted toward the front seat. It was still empty.

"Adir, I don’t think-" she began gently, trying to keep her voice light, "It’s not really polite if we both sit in the back, is it?"

Adir just shrugged, completely unbothered. "We have to pick up Melanie," he said. "Only she can sit there. If someone tries to take her seat, Adam will probably blow a casket. You sit back, please.."

Melody opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. She hesitated for a second longer, still hoping Adam might say something. Maybe insist she sit in the front, that it was not a big deal. Maybe even look her way. But he didn’t.

He had already walked around to the driver’s side and was sitting- seatbelt fastened, staring straight ahead as though he hadn’t heard a word.

Her heart dipped slightly, the earlier flutter replaced by a strange tightness she couldn’t name. Without another word, she ducked into the back seat and settled in quietly. The door clicked shut beside her.

She didn’t say anything as they pulled out onto the road.

"You know, Miss Melody," he began cheerfully from beside her, his feet not quite touching the floor, "this one time I saw a cat try to jump from one roof to another and it missed and landed in someone’s washing machine. It was spinning. The clothes were flying everywhere. The poor cat also hurt her leg. It was liming for weeks afterwards. Everyone said she wouldn’t be able to walk straight ever. But then she was okay. So, you don’t have to worry. You will recover soon too."

Melody blinked, then let out a surprised little laugh. "Is that true? Thank you for your words of reassurance. I will not worry then."

Adir nodded and then continued to talk about how his father said that getting hurt made you stronger, etc but she had to soon interrupt him as she said to Adam, "You can take the left here—it’s the second right after that. My house is just past the park."

Adam gave a small nod without glancing back. She couldn’t tell if he’d been listening in the whole time or had only tuned in now, but the car shifted smoothly in the direction she’d told him.

"Thank you... for waiting," she said softly. She wasn’t even sure who she was addressing. Maybe both of them.

Adir puffed his chest out. "You’re welcime, Muss Melody. I told Adam we couldn’t leave you behind. I said, ’She helped me, so I help her.’" He nodded firmly, proud of himself. "He didn’t want to at first. He said we were getting late."

That made her blink as she felt a wisp of disappointment. It would have been so much better if he had insisted...."He didn’t?"

Adir tilted his head. "He just didn’t say anything after that. He just stood there. So I said, ’I’m not leaving without her,’ and I stayed. Then he stayed too. We’ve also called a towing truck for you, to bring your car to your address. So, you don’t have to worry."

She bent down and gave Adir a genuine smile as she marvelled at his quick thinking. "Thank you, my friend." With that Adir grinned back at her and shook his head," No problem, Miss Melody."

"It’s just up ahead," she said quietly, pointing to the white gate. noveldrama

Adam pulled up smoothly along the curb and put the car in park.

Melody hesitated.

This was the part where someone usually said goodbye. Or offered to help. Or... something. But Adam didn’t move. His hands stayed on the steering wheel, eyes still fixed forward.

Adir reached across and opened the door on her side.

"I’ll walk you to your door," he offered at once.

She smiled. "That’s sweet, but I think I can manage."

He nodded, but didn’t move to close the door either. As if he was waiting for her to say something else. She took a breath, then looked up toward the front of the car.

"Thanks again," she said, this time directing it more clearly toward Adam. "For driving. And waiting."

Adam gave her a nod while Adir waved at her, blinking his large eyes as she waved goodbye to him.