Page 41 of Overdosed: Her Dark Side
“The hell I do! I do fucking love her!” Anders shouted so loud he spat, looking at Karl, breathing heavily. His gaze switched to meet mine as he whispered, “I do love her.”
His voice was filled with such heartbreak that I believed he spoke the truth. That his feelings were genuine. That he fell in love with the same woman as I did.
Anders rushed out, and I glanced at Karl. For the first time, he seemed as if he didn’t know what to do.
“I’ll take Melanie and Hope home,” I said. “They’ve had enough for today.”
We were driving back home in silence. Fuck. I did not assume this evening would end up like this. I let out a heavy exhale, glancing at the review mirror. Hope was asleep in her car seat. My gaze shifted to Melanie. She was tense. I couldn’t help myself, and I gently put my hand on her thigh, just as we used to do when we were a couple. She jumped in her seat slightly, clearly surprised by my touch. Our gazes met for a fleeting moment before I focused on the road ahead, my hand still on her slender thigh. After a moment, I felt her hand overlapping mine. Her touch made my lips curl up in a gentle smile. Suddenly, my phone rang.
“It’s my father. I’ll take it,” I breathed as I got out of and put the speaker to my ear.
“Shane…” Karl’s tone was solemn.
“What happened? You sound weird.”
“It’s about Anders…” His voice cracked.
“What now?”
Karl didn’t speak. I could only hear his heavy breath.
“What happened?” I insisted.
“They called me from the hospital. He had a car crash.”
SIXTEEN
Melanie
Shane squeezed my hand as we headed through the hospital hallway, sterile and tense. We approached Karl, who stood with a pained expression on his face. I had never seen Karl so visibly emotional. His usually cold demeanor was replaced by red-rimmed eyes and a narrowed forehead.
“How is he? Is he alive?” Shane’s voice was tense.
“Thank God he’s alive.” Karl let out a heavy sigh.
“What happened?”
“It’s my fault.” Karl’s gaze dropped.
“And how is it your fault, huh?”
“I shouldn’t have been so harsh on him.”
“Harsh?” Shane’s teeth gritted, stretching his neck. I felt his hand tightening around mine, the pulse in his neck throbbing. “Anders is a grown man. He should take responsibility for his actions. And you know what? This whole car crash seems fishy to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was just another one of his tricks.”
Karl’s gaze landed on me, and I felt the awkward tension between us. It was as if the air had thickened, and I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.
“Shane.” His gaze was back on his son. “Please don’t say anything around Anders that could throw him off balance. At least for now. I’m genuinely worried about his mental health.”
Shane cleared his throat as if trying to fight the wrath brimming in him. “Can you see that he’s been playing everyone from the very beginning? This is just another one of his games.”
“I know what he did behind your back is inexcusable, and I blame myself for the hatred between my sons.” Karl sighed. For the first time, he seemed… helpless. “Shane, I don’t expect you to forgive him. I just want this war between you two to end.”
Shane exhaled heavily, rubbing his pulsing temples before setting his gaze on his father. “I got back with Melanie,” he spoke in a low tone.
Karl nodded, his gaze shifting to me and then Shane again. “I can see that.”
“Maybe it’ll be for the best if I take Melanie and Hope away for a few days. Disappear from Anders’ sight. I don’t want him near my family.”
