Page 36 of Overdosed: Her Dark Side
Running through the narrow streets of Valletta, hoping it was just a bad dream, a mere imagination of my mind. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. Never before had I been more scared. I reached my place and shut the door behind me, trying to catch my breath as I leaned against it. Then I heard soft knocks and Anders’ voice.
“Melanie, open the door. We need to talk.”
My heart dropped to my stomach. “Go to hell! I want nothing to do with Vergoossen’s family!” I shouted through the closed door, but Anders persisted.
Then he said something that made my heart skip a beat. “I won’t leave until we talk. Shane doesn’t know I’m here, and I’ve got an offer for you. And don’t even think of running away. You’re surrounded.”
Eventually, I gave up. I opened the door to find him leaning against the frame, wearing a black shirt and sunglasses.
He had that amused expression on his face. Two of his men, their back to me, guarding the way out. “Wouldn’t you invite me in?”
I knew I had no choice but to let him in. I led him to the living room. I was so scared. Hope was playing upstairs with Betty. I couldn’t stop wondering whether he already knew about her. He did.
“Shane knows that you gave birth to his child.” He took off his sunglasses. “As you may know, he’s looking for you. He wants to take your daughter away from you, and then get rid of you.”
I felt as if my world crumbled.
“How does he know? And that it’s a girl?” I hardly managed to speak. Suddenly, I struggled to catch a breath as if the fear gripped me by my throat, suffocating me.
Anders scoffed, a vicious smile playing on his lips. “Don’t forget who he is, baby. He’s a Vergoossen. And the Vergoossens always find a way to get to their enemies.”
Enemies?
I hardly swallowed and Anders continued, “But because I have a score to settle with my beloved brother, I’m eager to help you.”
My eyes narrowed at Anders. I questioned his motives, each of the words coming out of his mouth. Anders advanced slowly, and I instinctively retreated until the wall pressed against my back, leaving me with nowhere to escape. “What do you mean exactly?” I demanded, my voice tinged with defiance.
Anders wore a sinister smirk as he laid out his proposition. Each word landed with calculated intent. “Quid pro quo, Melanie. You help me get revenge on Shane, and in return, I help you vanish from his life forever. A win-win.”
My skepticism deepened. “Revenge? Against your own brother? What could possibly drive you to such lengths?”
Anders cocked his head. “I’ve learned of my father’s plans. He intends to pass on the company to one of us, the first one to get married. I want it all for myself. No Shane in the picture.”
“Why involve me? You could marry anyone, hire a fake fiancée, or find another way.”
Anders scoffed, looking at me with so much amusement. “I want you, Melanie. I know how much it’ll torment my brother to see his prey with someone else. I want him to suffer, to experience what he’s put me through my entire life. Always first, always better. Now I want everything that’s his.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. His words seemed so twisted. The proposition seemed so surreal.
“I see it like this,” he said. “You’ll return with me to New York as my fiancée. In a few weeks, we’ll get married and complete all the formalities. Once everything is dealt with and the Vergoossen Enterprises Holdings are legally mine, I'll give you a divorce, along with one hundred million dollars and my protection. I’ll help you disappear and make sure that even my brother won’t be able to find you again.”
“All to make Shane suffer?” I couldn’t help but mock.
Anders’ expression was unyielding. “It’s a deal that benefits us both. Think it through, Melanie. I know you live in constant fear. And I know you need money. I can help you live the life you want for your daughter. The life she deserves.”
“You want me to return to New York willingly? It’s like walking into a trap of my own making!” My body quivered, and Anders took hold of my arm as if to reassure me.
“Don’t worry. I’ll arrange everything to ensure your safety and Hope’s,” he asserted calmly.
Hope’s? The mention of my daughter’s name sent a shiver down my spine. How did he know about Hope? Panic set in. If he had discovered my child’s existence, sex, and even name, Shane could be next. It was only a matter of time.
“I’ll tell Shane that you miscarried, that the baby was never born.” Anders’ voice snapped me back from my thoughts.
“And why should I trust you? How can I be sure this isn’t a trap? Maybe Shane sent you.” My suspicion flared.
Anders reached for a bag he had left by the door and pulled out a file of documents. “It’s a legally prepared contract. Review it. If you have any concerns, my lawyer will adjust. This way, you’ll have assurance that I’m sincere, and I stand to lose more than you do.”
I felt helpless. Defeated. Can you lose anything more significant than the safety of your own child?
