Old Mr. Stratton clutched his chest, his face etched with pain. Suddenly, his body stiffened, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Sir!"
...
Old Mr. Stratton woke up in the hospital. Upon learning that Melody had eloped with Jason, his heart shattered completely.
The already aging man now looked even more ancient. He heaved a heavy sigh, resolving to wash his hands of Melody once and for all.
I sent Old Mr. Stratton abroad to recover and changed his contact information, severing all ties between him and Melody for good.
A few months later, I unexpectedly received a call from the police. Melody had asked them to contact me.
At the police station, I immediately spotted Melody. Her hair was a tangled mess, her body filthy and disheveled, wrapped in a blanket and shivering.
When she saw me, her eyes lit up, and she fell to her knees.
"I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong. Jason was nothing but a big liar. Please, can you forgive me?"