Chapter 2

“Hahahahaha!” Ryan's laughter echoed through the kitchen. For a while, he kept laughing then he stopped.

“You and I know you aren't going anywhere, love. Now fix my food before I come out!” he sneered, his voice dulled to a sinister whisper.

Melinda's tears fell like rain, her head throbbing with excruciating pain, and her body trembling as she sobbed.

She needed to calm herself down and figure out what to make for Ryan, but her tears seemed to have a will of their own, controlling her every move.

Six years of marriage with Ryan had conditioned her to believe she was nothing without him. He ripped her of all her self-worth and confidence with his consistent cruelty and vile words and she grew to believe him.

She was tired of it all and what gave her the strength to somehow believe she could leave him, was the fire that ignited within her every passing day. Her feelings for Ethan, her billionaire boss.

Gathering her strength, she cooked chicken sauce and mashed potatoes from leftovers in the fridge.

The house fell silent as Ryan closed the parlor door behind him. Melinda breathed a sigh of relief, picked up her bag from the parlor, and slowly walked to their bedroom, tears running down her cheeks.

With each step, the weight of her harsh life pierced her heart. She gave Ryan everything. His job at Brookslake Care Facility was a result of her connections, she gave him a comfortable life, funded by her hard work.

In return, all she received from him was wickedness, abuse, and contempt.

As she pushed open the bedroom door, an unfamiliar smell enveloped her. A perfume with a soft scent typically worn by women. Her heart skipped, her mind swirling with many questions as she quickly scanned the room.

She knew it wasn't hers and she always bought Ryan's perfume so it wasn't his, she thought. A wave and anger and betrayal engulfed her. Did this asshole bring a woman into my house?! She pondered.

"No, no, no" she whispered to herself. "He wouldn't dare" she continued.

The seed of doubt was already planted and Melinda couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss but she was too tired and emotionally drained to think about it so she took a deep breath and reassured herself it was nothing.

She made her way to the bathroom, her nose still bleeding and a swollen face. She showered, took painkillers, and applied her soothing face cream before returning to her room to sleep off.

——

As Melinda entered Ethan’s office to drop some files for him, Ethan’s sharp gaze made her heart skip. He knew, she said to herself.

“Take those glasses off. He touched you again didn't he?!” Ethan snarled, his voice filled with anger and disdain for Ryan.

Ethan Blackwood was the CEO of the biggest bank in America, Blackwood.Co bank, where Melinda worked.

Due to her exceptional talents, she was transferred from their sub-branch in Midtown Atlanta three months ago to the headquarters in Downtown Atlanta where she worked closely with Ethan, her boss.

Melinda paused, confused about how to respond. She didn't want to lie to Ethan but she was too embarrassed to tell the truth.

“I’m fine, it’s nothing” Melinda replied, her tone casual to minimize the situation.

“Why do you keep defending this jerk?! He treats you like shit and somehow you always find a way to defend him!” Ethan said, his expression laced with disbelief and frustration.

A few weeks ago, Ethan found Melinda in her office, her body trembling as she cried, trying to hold back the humiliation caused by her husband’s brutal hands.

Ethan offered to press charges but Melinda blatantly refused, her eyes begging him to understand. “If you do it, I’ll quit, “ she said, her voice filled with fear.

Now, Ryan struck her again and he was engulfed with helpless rage, unable to do anything but ask her why she had to put up with it.

“Why are you still with him, Melinda?” Ethan continued, his tone now softer.

Melinda’s eyes began to betray her as tears struggled to drop. Her heart raced, no one had ever asked her that question before. She looked at Ethan and they stared at each other for a brief moment, the tension between them so thick you could cut a knife through it.

“Sir, Lila sends for you” Katherine, Mrs Lila’s assistant interrupted as she opened the office door of Ethan.

“Ok, I’ll be there shortly,” Ethan nodded, his gaze still on Melinda.

“This discussion isn't finished. Go back to work. When I’m done with my sister, I’ll come see you” Ethan continued as he walked out from his office, Melinda behind him.

As Melinda and Ethan worked out from his office, there was Lila, her heels echoing on the marble floor as she walked through the corridor.

Mrs. Lila Blackwood, the senior sister and only sibling to Ethan Blackwood was a formidable force. She was a 45-year-old tall woman with a sharp psychic that gave off an intimidating aura. She had taken on the maternal role of the family since their mother died years ago.

She was known for her ruthless nature, always ready to defend her family’s legacy no matter the cost.

"That woman is beginning to get on my nerves! Her little charade online is going too far. Why isn't she in prison huh?!” Mrs Lila hissed, her heels slammed on the marble floor as she stopped and stared at Ethan.

“She was released on bail, but the investigation is still active. The police aren't going to let this go easily, I made sure of that.” Ethan said firmly as they both walked off.

Melinda practically sprinted to keep up their pace, her shorter legs working hard to match their pace. As they approached the elevator, Lila turned to Melinda, her eyes full of rage.

“Melinda, you fix this! Because I promise if I see that woman again in this building, I'll rip her head off with my bare hands!”

“I will ma’am. Working on it” Melinda nodded. As the elevator door was closing, Melinda’s eyes met Ethan’s and a jolt of electricity rushed through her.

His gaze was warm and gentle and for a brief moment, she could sense a genuine raw connection in his eyes. She felt seen…

As she walked back to her office, she couldn't shake the feeling that he might feel the same way she felt for him. Or did he just feel sorry for her? She wondered.

Melinda, you're still very much married, don't forget that! She scolded herself.

Melinda looked at her wristwatch as she readied herself to go home as it was closing hours, and then her phone rang.

“Are you ready? I’m taking you home” Ethan said as she picked up the call.

Melinda’s heart skipped a beat.

Ethan can’t take me home! What if Ryan’s back? He can't see me with Ethan! Melinda thought, her heart racing as she froze. The room fell silent…