Chapter 419: Sick
Marianne dabbed her mouth with the edge of her napkin and leaned back slightly, her gaze fixed on the scene before her. Melanie sat stiffly at the table, shoulders tight, eyes downcast, as she forced herself to chew the slices of fruit laid out before her. She clearly did not want them.
But there was Cadence Sint, seated beside her, watching every bite like a hawk. He did not raise his voice or speak a word, yet the weight of his presence left no room for refusal. He was controlling to the point of deciding not only what she ate but how much would go into her mouth.
It was fascinating to watch.
Very good, Marianne thought, a slow curl of satisfaction forming inside her. It seemed fate had decided to bless her in ways she had not even expected. On one hand stood Adam Collins, so intent on destroying Melody and breaking her completely, all so he could secure the inheritance he believed was rightfully his.
On the other hand was this Cadence Sint- this man who clearly needed everything around him to bend to his will, who was so intent on possessing every part of Melanie’s life that even the food she swallowed had to be by his choice.
What a perfect storm this was turning out to be.
Even now, Marianne noticed the way Melanie’s face had gone pale, almost green, as she forced down each bite, her throat working hard as though the fruit itself might rebel on its way down. The sight was almost pitiful. Almost.
Marianne, however, found it deeply satisfying. Watching Melanie trapped like this, caught between this man’s net. Fate had finally done it for her, and she had no intention of interfering.
Marianne looked down at her watch. Soon, a car would arrive to take her to Adam’s chosen destination, where she needed to see Melody.
Just as she was imagining this wonderful scene, Melanie stood up abruptly.
"Sit down and finish your fruit," Cadence said in a sharp voice as he turned to glare at Melanie.
Melanie’s hand froze halfway to the table. She shook her head quickly, pressing her palm against her mouth as though even breathing might betray her. Then, without a word, she pushed back her chair and ran, the soft thud of her steps echoing as she darted toward the bathroom at the far end of the hall.
Cadence’s chair scraped hard against the floor as he stood. His expression didn’t change, but there was a tightening around his jaw as he followed after her, his stride long and deliberate. Marianne rose too, curiosity pulling her forward. She wanted to see how this ended.
The bathroom door slammed shut just as Cadence reached it. A moment later, the unmistakable sound of retching came from inside, harsh and raw, echoing off the tiles.
Cadence rapped his knuckles against the door, voice cutting through the sound. "Melody. Open the door."
Melanie did not answer. The retching continued, weaker now but still there.
Cadence’s tone dropped, low and sharp. "Melanie. I said open the door." A pause, then quieter but far more dangerous, "Do not make me come in there and drag you out myself. You know I will. You have to eat that fruit."
Marianne stood back slightly, watching, her interest sharpening. The girl was pale and sick, yet even now, he refused to let go of control. It was time to play the concerned mother.
Hurriedly, she stepped forward," Cadence. Don’t force her. She must be feeling awful. Its okay."
"But..."
"But nothing, Cadence. I am worried about her. She has not been behaving normally since she has returned and now this. Even her father has been worrying."
Just as Cadence was listening to her words, Marianne decided to test the waters. "Cadence? Could it be that Melody is pregnant?" She put on a hopeful face and hurriedly grabbed his hand," If she is, wouldn’t that be wonderful news?"
She watched as a confused look came over his face and then he frowned so she hurriedly continied as if worried that he was misunderstanding," Don’t worry. Me and Richard. We are not old fashioned. I know you’ve been living in different rooms out of respect for us but you must be together in private! Just... take her to the doctor and get a confirmation, okay? I should have seen it earlier. The mood swings and the constant tiredness. She must be at least four weeks pregnant by now."
Then she stopped, tilting her head slightly as if thinking it through. Her brow furrowed.
"No, no," she murmured, shaking her head slowly. "That doesn’t make sense, does it?"
Cadence looked at her sharply.
Marianne pressed on, lowering her tone as though speaking to herself but letting every word slip into his ears. "Four weeks ago... that was when she first came here with Dr. Jiang, wasn’t it? She was already pale then... already getting tired easily. If she’s pregnant now, it can’t be four weeks. Has to be older, if the timing is right." She paused, pretending to calculate. "That would mean... what? Six weeks? Maybe eight?"
She placed a hand lightly on his arm, her voice almost apologetic. "That would put it back to the time when you found her... when you saved her, wouldn’t it? Before she even set foot in this house."
Cadence’s expression didn’t change much, but Marianne could see the way his shoulders stiffened, the way his jaw clenched as if locking down on something brewing underneath. His eyes stayed on the door, but she could tell the words had landed exactly where she wanted them to.
She stepped back a little, watching him, her face carefully arranged to look only concerned, as though she had said these things without meaning anything by them.
From inside, the retching had stopped.
Then, slowly, the door opened.
Melanie stood there, pale and trembling, her hand gripping the frame for support. Her face was bloodless, her lips pressed tight as though she could barely hold herself together.