7
I didn’t know Adam had returned to the country until I accidentally ran into Cassy, who was looking for her cousin at our school.
After half a year of not seeing each other, Cassy seemed to have become a different person. Gone was the gentle and kind demeanor from when we met at home. Instead, her eyes were full of disdain and contempt.
“Melody, when you agreed to me dating Adam right in front of him before, that was just a ploy of yours, wasn’t it?”
Cassy crossed her arms, holding her head high.
“You just wanted to use reverse psychology, hoping that your apparent indifference would make Adam choose you instead, right?”
I looked at her bewilderedly, not understanding what she was talking about.
But Cassy blocked my path as I tried to leave, grinding her teeth in hatred.
“Even if he didn’t choose me, it’s just because his taste is poor! Do you think an empty–headed pretty face like you deserves him? Stop dreaming!
10:53 AM S
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dreaming!”
I was going to walk around her, but hearing this, I stopped and looked at her seriously.
“I’m not empty–headed. I scored 1450 on my SATS. I may not be a genius, but I’m not stupid either.”
“And, do you all like calling pretty girls empty–headed? Then what are you?”
I hurried away, but I didn’t miss seeing Cassy’s face turn as red as a beetroot.
To be honest, the news of Adam’s return didn’t affect me much. What I was more worried about now was Noah insisting that I make matching outfits for us. I thought the style he chose was too childish, but he absolutely refused to change it.
When Mom and Dad called to ask me to come home for dinner, I guessed it was to celebrate Adam’s return.
After all, he was my adoptive brother in name. I even bought a bouquet of flowers. I didn’t see him off when he left, so I should at least show some goodwill now that he’s back.
But just as I reached the front door, I heard arguing voices from inside.
“Why is Melody engaged to Noah Chen? Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”
My hand, ready to open the door, paused. I suddenly felt it wasn’t appropriate to go in at this moment.
“What good would telling you do? You’ve been avoiding Melody all this time. When you were about to go abroad, we had a family dinner and you brought an outsider home. We know what you meant by that!”
Dad’s voice was clearly angry. Mom tried to mediate, but ended up sighing as well.
“Dad and Mom truly treat Melody as our daughter. Whether as a daughter–in–law or a daughter, she’s family. Since that’s the case, if you make her unhappy, we can’t just pretend not to see.”
“Adam, you’re questioning us now, but if you had been even a little bit nice to Melody in the past, she wouldn’t have been so disappointed.”
There was a clattering sound from the room, followed by Dad’s angry voice. I stood at the door, just like that summer half a year ago, unable to move forward or back.
I thought I agreed to the arranged marriage because I wanted to repay Mom and Dad.
But it turns out that in their eyes, I was heartbroken because of Adam, so they let me make my own decision.
“Mr. Lewis! Mr. Lewis, what’s wrong?”
Mom’s alarmed cry came from the room. My scalp tingled, and I instinctively unlocked the door and went in. But as the door opened, I saw Dad collapsed on the floor, with a panicked Mom and Adam beside him.
