Page 27 of Overdosed: Her Dark Side
Desperate for answers, I questioned, “What? Why?”
“Well, maybe because running away is the only thing she’s good at?” He was completely inebriated.
Enraged, I grabbed him by his shirt. “Don’t tell me you let her go just like that?”
Anders shifted his gaze between mine, scoffing as a pained grin spread across his face. “Just so you know, brother, I won’t stop fighting for her and Hope.”
“You call yourself my brother? I can’t believe my daughter has lived under the same roof as you, and you didn’t say a word!” Issuing a stern warning, I added, “Stay away from my family! I know you don’t love them. You just wanted to get back at me. You’re sick! Fucking twisted.”
Anders shoved me away, gulping his whiskey as he set his drunken, numb gaze on mine. “I did want to get back at you, brother. But then… I fell in love.”
My eyes closed for a split second. “You fucking bastard, do you even know what love is?” I spat, and without waiting for a response, I stormed back to my car, leaving only the squeal of tires. I had to find Melanie and my daughter.
I made countless calls, rallied all my men across the entire state, and mobilized all my connections so they would help me locate them and stay alert.
Eventually, I returned to my penthouse, clinging to the hope that Melanie might seek refuge in my arms, as Anders implied. But she wasn’t there.
“No, Wyatt. I’ve checked all the airports, and there’s no trace of her. Have you checked hotels?” I paced around my living room, adrenaline surging through my veins. Suddenly, I heard a soft knock at the door, and my heart skipped a beat. My gaze switched to the entrance instantly. “I have to go. Someone’s at the door. Keep me updated.” I quickly ended the call and ran to open the door.
And there she was, Melanie, holding Hope in her arms. She greeted me with a quiet and hesitant “Hey,” her voice trembling, just as her body; her gaze was restless. Offering a faint and uncertain smile, she asked, “May we come in?”
TWELVE
Melanie
A couple of hours earlier.
Shane stormed out in a fit of rage, slamming the door, and I was left with a flurry of emotions. Collapsing to my knees, tears streamed down my face, his words echoing in my mind. I knew he was telling the truth, that he never intended to harm me or the baby. I was certain he couldn’t have feigned his despair, pain, and anger. I saw it in his eyes. He was genuinely hurt and broken, just like I was now. How could I let myself be so deceived? What had I done? I’d kept my daughter away from her father for three years and squandered the chance for a happy family. I couldn’t continue lying to myself. I loved Shane. I never stopped. I might’ve been filled with pain and desire for revenge after learning the truth about his wicked plans toward me, but my feelings for him never waned. He was my weakness, a drug I failed to resist despite knowing all too well that drugs are no good.
“Hey, don’t cry,” Anders’ gentle voice reached my ears, his hand soothingly caressing my arm. Helping me stand, he embraced me tightly, “We won’t let him take away Hope from us, don’t worry,” he said, planting a kiss on my forehead while caressing the back of my head.
I pulled away, trying to stifle my sobs. “Us?” I repeated bitterly. “There’s no us, Anders. Stop pretending we’re a loving family because we’re not,” I yelled in a semi-whisper so that the screams wouldn’t wake Hope. “It was just a deal, and it’s not valid anymore now that Shane knows about Hope!”
“And didn’t you want revenge, as well?” he challenged bitterly. “Was it all about Hope only?”
I shook my head. “She was, and she is, my priority!”
Anders stepped forward, and his tone grew dark. “Are you trying to imply that you’re reneging on our deal?”
I felt helpless and lost. Tears welled up in my eyes again. “I don’t know what to think or do anymore. Every single goddamn man who was important to me in my life manipulated me.” I cried, struggling to stand on my feet while looking into Anders’ eyes. I didn’t want his pity. I despised it when people pitied me. But I was so broken, so damaged, that I could no longer suppress my pain. “First, my own father used me for his twisted ambitions.” A single tear dropped down my cheek at the memory of how my father, a man who was supposed to love me unconditionally and care for me, would always see me as a pawn in his games to achieve what he wanted. How he would sell me in exchange for connections, and influence by arranging relationships for me. Another tear escaped my eyes at the memory. “Then, my first real boyfriend, followed by my second boyfriend. Until Shane. Just when I thought he truly loved me, it turned out he was using me too!” I sobbed, desperately sobbed. “Later Callan, and now... you, Anders.”
Anders’ face was washed with regret. His eyes squeezed momentarily. “I’m not manipulating you, Melanie. I offered you a deal, and you took it.”
“Is that so?” I squinted angrily, my voice lowered. “But you weren’t fully honest with me, were you?” I challenged. “You must have known that Shane was desperately searching for me during those years, not to hurt me, but because he loved me. Yet, you conveniently omitted that, didn’t you?” My fist landed on his chest, and Anders, avoiding eye contact, tilted his head to the side. “Instead, you fed me with the lies of his satisfaction in breaking my life. You claimed he was reveling in his revenge! You confirmed that what Callan said was true! You insisted that once Shane discovered our baby, he might hurt it, fuck, you said he would kill my daughter!” I yelled, the waves of helplessness, regret, and frustration overwhelming me. “Now, tell me, was any of that true?” I questioned, my shattered gaze fixed on him, unsure if I had the strength to endure it all.
“No,” Anders stated quietly, meeting my gaze. “I lied about that. I knew you wouldn’t have agreed to all this if I had told you that Shane loves you.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. A sense of powerlessness overwhelmed me. How could I have allowed myself to be deceived in such a way? No words escaped my lips. I had no more strength to respond. Gazing into his eyes, I shook my head gently, tears silently streaming down my face.
Anders sighed, combing his fingers through his hair before drawing closer, his eyes reflecting what seemed like pain.
“Melanie, I’m sorry. I know I fucked up. I took advantage of the situation, and I should never have done that,” he pleaded. “But I know my brother very well, and you know what? He loves you. He genuinely does love you. Even after all you’ve done, he still does love you.” His eyes darted back and forth between mine as if trying to find some sort of understanding before he added, his tone hushed, “But you know what’s worse? I love you, too. I am in love with you, Melanie.”
My eyes were tightly closed as I struggled to contain the rage welling up within me. “I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve by saying that, but it won’t work. Not again,” I stated harshly, fixing my gaze on his with lethal fury bubbling inside me. “Find someone else to be a pawn in your game. I’m done with this.”
Anders shook his head, eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”
I straightened up. “I’m leaving.” I rushed to head upstairs to pack my things, but Anders followed. He grabbed my elbow to stop me, and I instinctively swirled around to face him.
