Chapter 7 Humiliating Melina

CHARLOTTE

“This necklace belonged to my mother. My mother? What audacity did you have to declare my mother’s heirloom as yours?”

I watched as Melina’s face instantly pale, the wrinkles that sat under her heavy makeup coming into view, as Nathan half yelled at her.

It was strange seeing him here, much less seeing him angry but I couldn’t say a word. I just stood by and watched the scene unfolding before me.

“I’m waiting for you to say something!” He thundered again, and Melina visibly flinched, staggering backward clumsily.

“Erm, Nathan Darling.” She began. “I…I…” She stammered, unable to form a coherent response, and I could see disgust flowing of Nathan’s eyes as he stared at her.

“Yes? Or has your voice suddenly lost momentum now? Can’t you speak?” He harshly continued. “It was your loud voice that disrupted my evening, and now you can’t say a word.”

“No, my dear son. It’s…”

“I am not your son!”

Melina swallowed again. “It’s not like that. It’s… it’s…” She dragged her gaze from Nathan to the maids and continued. “One of the maids mentioned something about a missing necklace so I thought it was mine.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. I never knew it belonged to Ti… your mother. It’s all a misunderstanding my… my...” Her lips shook as she spoke, and I didn’t know whether to feel sorry or happy at this.

She was clearly embarrassed and the guilt of her misinformation was eating at her.

Suddenly she turned to the maids and guards holding me. “Please let Charlotte go.”

In one swift movement they released me reluctantly, and looked away in embarrassment.

“So that is your excuse?” Nathan suddenly spoke, breaking the tense silence that seemed to have settled in seconds. “That this was all a little misunderstanding. A misunderstanding that had you accusing an innocent woman who might have never even seen the necklace in question? Is that it?”

“Nathan please…”

But he didn’t let her finish. He cut in again, “I’m not surprised though. It’s only a thief that sees everyone as a thief.”

Blood drained from Melina’s face and she bowed her head in shame. At the same time she took a step forward as if wanting to leave but Nathan’s voice stopped her before she could.

“Before you leave you’re going to apologize to Charlotte.”

“What?!” Instantly Melina whipped her face towards Nathan and then me. Anger and rage burned in her dark gaze. “Surely you don’t expect me to…”

“I very much expect you to do what I just said. You will apologize to Charlotte, and by God…” He took a menacing step towards her. “If you ever dare to take any of my mother’s jewelry or if your legs dare step inside the room reserved for her, I will break your legs.”

“Now that you will not do.” Melina retorted hotly. “Yes I admit I made a mistake and sorry to her, but you won’t touch me. You wouldn’t dare, Nathan.”

“You think I won’t?”

“Yes.” As if a mask had slipped on her face, Melina puffed her cheeks and looked at Nathan fiercely. “If you touch me, you will go to jail and you know that’s a bad touch to the Hamilton name. Your father wouldn’t even allow it.”

“You’ve been sleeping on his bed for so many years now, and yet you still don’t know the power I have over my father right? It’s so pathetic. But for one minute think of what he’ll do in a matter involving me. Think of the side he’ll take. You and I know the answer to that or don’t we?”

That mask Melina had slapped on faded instantly, and there was only fear written across her features.

I gasped internally, my throat working as I wondered what the hell was going on here. What kind of power did Nathan hold over this woman? Over this family?

“Heed my warning, Melina—for your own good.” Nathan said again, and at first Melina opened her mouth as if to reply, but soon she closed it.

As I stood watching the exchange in utter shock, I could feel my nails digging into my palm hardly. So hard I almost drew blood.

I didn’t know why but I felt angry and sad at the same time. I was angry at Melina for her despicable attitude, and I was sad at myself for being treated like dirt all these while.

I hated it and…

Something tugged my hand, “M-Mommy.”

It was Charles, and when I looked down I saw his terrified expression. My heart broke into two and tears dripped from my eyes.

I pulled him close. “I’m sorry baby. I’m so sorry you had to see this, please forgive me. You won’t see any more of this again, and I will protect you. I promise…”

I had to protect Charles from this. I had to protect him from the wickedness of this place.

‘If you ever dare to take any of my mother’s jewelry or if your legs dare step inside the room reserved for her, I will break your legs.’

The words flashed in my head for a second and suddenly it struck me. Nathan Hamilton.

I dragged my gaze back to him. He was still arguing with Lady Melina although I wasn’t fully listening.

Yes! Yes! He was my one-way ticket out of this hellhole. He was my key to a better life here.

I remembered the look in his eyes when he spoke to Melina. It reminded me of a burning sense of rage. Of anger, raw anger and irritation.

He didn’t like her at all. But Nathan Hamilton didn’t like anybody. The rumors about him was that he was cold, aloof and harsh.

Regardless, of how he was I was going to approach him.

If I had to beg on my knees to even talk to him then so be it. I would do it.