Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Melody raises her chin and looks me square in the eye.
“There is no us,” she says quietly.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ONE MONTH LATER
Abram
I slam the file against my desk and glare angrily at my shivering secretary. “What exactly can you do right, Miss Harvey?” I ask coldly. “Do you call this crap a report? Do I have to fire you like I did the last two secretaries before you come to your senses?”
“I...I’m sorry, Mr. Harden,” she says in a high-pitched voice. “I’ll do it again.”
“Get this crap off my desk,” I say, gesturing at the file she brought in a minute ago. “I’d bring back a perfect version in fifteen minutes if I were you, Miss. Harvey.”
“Yes, sir,” she says quickly and scrambles out of my office, gently closing the door behind her.
I sigh loudly and turn my chair toward the window.
The scenic view outside my window does nothing to calm the violent storm brewing in the pit of my stomach.
I’m angry at everything and everyone.
A month has passed, and I still can’t seem to get her out of my head. Not that I want to. Memories of her haunt me every day and night.
Even though I hated to admit it, she was right.
I pulled away from her under the pretense of being busy and returned to her with only excuses.
I had been overwhelmed by my feelings for Melody and June’s resignation, and I’d withdrawn into myself again.
Did you think I’d wait around for you forever...?
I guess I thought she would.
I overestimated my importance and took her feelings for granted.
At first, I thought she would get over her anger, and we’d talk things over, but Melody had been adamant.
She refused to see me no matter how hard I persisted. Brenda tried to help, but Melody’s mind was made up. She didn’t want anything to do with me.
I had no choice but to return to London and lick my wounds.
So I would give her time. It was the least I owed her.
I had left her, and now it was my turn to be without her. But not for long. I threw myself into work in the meantime, reverting to my old self...even worse. Nothing made sense these days.
I just endure each day. Waiting impatiently for my time to come.
There’s a knock on the door, and I turn my chair toward the door. Miss Harvey peeps into my office.
“There’s someone here for you, sir,” she says in a timid voice.
“Do they have an appointment?” I ask sharply.
I’m definitely not in the mood to make small talks right now.
“No,” Miss Harvey says. “But it seems urgent.”
“Who is it?” I ask with a sigh.
“It’s one Miss Melody Hanson.”
“What?”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Melody
He looks different...tired.
I feel my chest tighten with guilt and regret.
Abram stands from his desk and walks toward me, his eyes boring into mine with an indescribable expression.
I hover hesitantly by the door, fiddling nervously with my fingers.
Despite the time that’s passed between us, I can still feel a familiar lust pumping in my veins at the sight of him. My stomach erupts in a burst of butterflies as he comes closer to me.
His eyes... Oh, how I’ve missed those eyes so much.
“Melody,” Abram says, stopping directly in front of me.
His voice, soft and deep, caresses my skin.
Not the time to be thinking about stuff like this, Melody. You’re here for a reason.
I swallow nervously and take in a deep breath.
“Before you say anything,” I say quickly. “Please, let me say this. I came because…I thought it was unfair of me to break up with you without an explanation. It wasn’t entirely your fault... I guess I also needed an excuse to deal with everything. Jack’s attack... My mom’s apology... And your silence. It all got too overwhelming, and I just needed a break to recuperate. I guess we both needed time apart to sort out our personal messes after dealing with everything together. Or maybe I was the one who needed some time alone. I’d thought my healing was complete, but I guess I was still reeling from the effect of everything. I know this might be coming a bit too late, but I’m sorry that it took me so long to come around.”
Abram places his hands on my shoulders, his eyes soft with a smile that slowly spreads across his lips.
“It doesn’t matter, Melody,” Abram says. “None of it does... All that matters is that you’re here now.”
“Really?” I ask, blinking back tears. The pressure on my chest eases, and I suddenly feel like I can breathe again.
I didn’t think he’d forgive me so easily.
I put on a brave front, but I was ready to grovel, if necessary. I don’t know how I survived another month without him, but I don’t want to do it anymore.
“Really,” Abram replies, pulling me into a warm embrace.
I wrap my arms around his waist and lay my head against his chest, finally giving in to my tears.