Chapter 44 Mark and Michelle

Maxwell's mouth dropped open in surprise as he saw Mellisa's sudden change. He couldn't believe that someone could change so drastically in just a day. His brows furrowed in confusion as he tried to understand the situation. "Mellisa, I know I told you that crying isn't worth it, but sometimes it's necessary to let it all out. I won't judge you, I promise," he said, still finding it strange that she was behaving so differently.

Mellisa smiled at him. "No, I won't cry because of that monster anymore. I'll cry for better things. Today I realized that I have a bigger reason to live and be happy," she said.

Maxwell raised his eyebrows, curious to know what she meant. "And what is that reason??" He asked.

"My babies, if I keep on crying over things I can't control, then my babies will also be sad and I might lose them as I almost did today. So from today onwards I will be happy, my baby's happiness lies in my happiness," Melissa said with a smile.

Maxwell blinked at Melissa, "Are you sure that you don't want to cry? I mean, aren't you feeling like crying right now?" Maxwell asked, still finding it hard to believe; her face was full of bruises, yet she was saying that she didn't want to cry, how on earth was he going to believe that?

"I'm sure. I actually want you to teach me how to be cold and nonchalant. I'm done being so nice; I want people to fear me," Melissa said.

Maxwell's eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he was hearing - had the beating Zick had given her really made her realize that her baby was her priority, or was it just the medicine? He shook his head, unsure of the answer. "Mellisa, I think you should rest," Maxwell suggested, trying to keep his voice gentle.

"No, I'm hungry. Let's go downstairs and eat," Mellisa replied, her tone making it clear she was not open to any other suggestion.

Maxwell sighed, feeling frustrated. Was it really the medicine that was causing her to act this way? He decided not to argue and instead offered to carry her downstairs. "If you want, I can carry you - I'm not going to let you walk in your hurt state," he said.

Mellisa rolled her eyes. "Just say you want to carry me and stop making excuses," she said, already making her way to the stairs.

Maxwell felt his frustration rising but kept his mouth shut, not wanting to start an argument. He carefully picked Mellisa up in his arms and carried her downstairs, feeling a mix of confusion and disapproval.

Reaching the dining room they only found Michelle and Linda sitting in the dining room, Maxwell helped Mellisa to sit on the chair.

"Hey, guys, where is Shina??" Mellisa asked, settling on the chair.

Linda and Michelle both snapped out of their daze. "Mellisa, what are you doing here? You should be resting - you could have asked me to bring you dinner in your room, the doctor said you must rest," Michelle said sternly.

"Calm down, Michelle. I'm perfectly fine," Mellisa replied. "Where is Shina?"

"She's in her room," Linda answered, trying to hold back her tears. She never liked to see her sister in this state and was usually happy to see her smiling because of Mellisa's presence.

"I will go and check on her," Mellisa said, trying to rise from the chair, but Maxwell held her hands, stopping her and making Mellisa look at him with a questioning gaze.

"Let her be," Maxwell said. "She's too angry and might harm you. You'll meet her tomorrow."

Mellisa sensed that something was wrong but she decided to keep quiet, if Maxwell wanted her to know he could have told her if something was going on.

Everyone had dinner in silence, after dinner Maxwell carried Mellisa to her room and carefully laid her on the bed. " Good night Mellisa, feel free to call me if you need anything, my room is next to your room okay," Maxwell said.

" Good night to you too. " Mellisa said politely.

Maxwell smiled and left Mellisa's room.

…..

After dinner, Michelle left the house for a walk, her mind still filled with images of Melissa lying unconscious in her bed. She was disgusted that Zick had the nerve to beat Mellisa like that, and she couldn't help but feel guilty for the two years of suffering Mellisa had endured because of her mother. She felt too ashamed to even look Mellisa in the eyes, let alone talk to her or sleep in the same room as they used to. With no particular destination in mind, Michelle kept walking, the cold wind causing her to shiver. Eventually, she came across a bench and decided to sit down. Covering her face with her hands, tears streaming down her face, Michelle felt a deep regret for being born to such a cruel mother.

Mark frowned as he walked by the bench and saw someone sitting there so late at night. He usually came for his evening walk and never found anyone, so he was surprised to see someone there. His frown deepened when he heard sobbing coming from the person on the bench. He was unsure of what to do; should he go and ask what was wrong, or should he just leave? He was worried that the person might take out their anger on him, but he was also concerned that the person might be suicidal. After a moment of deliberation, Mark decided to go and check on the person. He slowly walked to the bench and sat next to Michelle, feeling a sense of apprehension.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked. " Here, take this to wipe your tears before they cause your face to be swollen when you are done crying."

Michelle raised her head and was met with Mark's gaze, her face turning a deep shade of red in embarrassment. She quickly took the handkerchief he offered and wiped away her tears.

"What are you doing here so late at night, crying? You could have locked your door and played loud music to cry your heart out. What if someone other than me had come and hurt you?" Mark said, his voice a mix of concern and scolding.

Michelle felt a lump in her throat, feeling ashamed of herself. Not because she was crying, but because someone had seen her. She had always thought of herself as strong, as she usually cried alone without anyone seeing her. "Who said I was crying? I was just testing my acting skills, I'm not a baby who cries," Michelle said, her face expressionless.

Mark smirked in amusement as he said, "I must say your acting skills are incredible. You should drop fashion and businesses and start your acting career. I'm very sure you will be successful." His voice was full of sarcasm,

and Michelle wasn't a fool not to detect it. She had no energy to argue, however, and simply rose off the bench, realizing she had forgotten the way home. Knowing she had to ask him before he left, she said, "I forgot my way home, can you please help me?"

Mark smirked again and said, "I will show you your way home on one condition." Michelle raised her eyebrows, understanding that these days no one will help for free. "What are the conditions?" she asked.

"Have coffee with me then I will take you home," Mark said. Michelle sighed, not wanting to make any promises she couldn't keep. "I promise I will, but not today. I just want to go home," she said.

"We have a deal then," Maxwell said, rising off the chair. "Come on, let's go.

Mark and Michelle walked in silence, the tension between them palpable. Mark couldn't help but feel a hint of disapproval in the air. In no time they arrived at the William mansion, and Michelle turned to him and said, "Thank you, I will keep my word." She entered the house, leaving Mark standing there with a smile on his face.

The next day …..

Mellisa woke up early around 5 am, and after the nurses had attended to her wounds, she took a quick shower and changed her clothes. When she walked into Shina's room, she was taken aback by the mess she saw - the mattress was on the floor, the mirrors were broken, and the clothes were strewn all over the place. And there was Shina, sitting in the corner of the room. It was a sad sight, and Mellisa couldn't help but feel sad.

Shina looked up when she heard Melissa's soft call, and as soon as she saw her, she jumped up from the floor and ran to her, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace. Melissa was taken aback, but she returned the hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay, I was so scared I was going to lose you too," Shina said, her voice trembling with fear. Melissa held her close and rubbed her back soothingly. She could tell something big had happened, but she chose not to ask.

Pulling away from the hug, Melissa smiled at Shina and said, "Come on, let's clean up your room. I'm sure it'll make you feel better." She gave Shina a sympathetic look, understanding the emotions she was feeling.

Shina rubbed her neck awkwardly realizing the mess she made in her room.

Mellisa smiled, showing her understanding.

"It's okay, Shina. You don't have to feel awkward around me, I can't be your mom but I can be your big sister. Right sisters understand each other, so you don't have to feel ashamed of how your room is. "Melissa said with a smile.

Linda, who had followed Melissa to Shina's room thinking that She might harm her, pouted her lips when she saw them hugging.

"Linda, when did you get here?" Melissa asked, her voice friendly and warm. "Come on in."

"How can you notice me when you're with your favorite?" Linda asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"But you're my baby, how can I forget you? You're my first favorite," Melissa said with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"I hope you're not lying to me," Linda joked, her expression lightening.

"And what about me? Have you forgotten me too, Melissa?" Michelle asked, entering the room.

Melissa smiled when she saw Michelle. "Of course not! You're my cousin and bestie as well. But why do you always leave me behind? I accidentally saw my bestie with a guy yesterday and you didn't even bother to tell me about him," Melissa said, her tone friendly and teasing.

Shina couldn't help but smirk as she asked, "Oh wow! Did you find the love of your life already?"

Melissa shook her head and replied, "She won't admit it, I guess we mean nothing to her."

Michelle raised her eyebrows, trying to explain, "Guys, he is my boss who helped me find a way here, there's nothing between us."

Mellisa was still skeptical and said, "Did you hear that Shina, her boss, helped her to find a way home? How interesting." She added with a playful tone.

Shina smirked as said "I didn't know that bosses do accompany their workers. A boss and a worker meet in the middle of the road late at night, and the boss offers to help by sending her home. Wow."

Linda pouted her lips and said, "Guys, stop it now, you started with your thing of leaving me behind with these topics of yours."

The four of them couldn't help but burst into laughter at Linda's comment. Melissa then tried to hold back her laughter and suggested, "Come, guys, let's clean this room instead of talking."

The four of them began to clean the room, still laughing, making jokes, and teasing each other.

.....

Hello guys, I hope you are enjoying the story. Please drop your comments and reviews so that I can know where I'm lacking.

I'm sorry about the late update but I'm having an electricity problem and it's hard to find Networks that's why I couldn't publish yesterday.