Chapter 14

Andrew regarded Melina with indifference. "What you promised has nothing to do with me," he said dismissively. "But Mr. Wentworth Senior is your grandpa." "I don't care." "Andrew!" Andrew stared impassively at the bristling girl before him. Melina bit her lip, her voice tinged with a plea. "Andrew, Mr. Wentworth Senior is an elderly man with a weak heart. Please, I'm begging you. Tomorrow... You can give me even more chores tomorrow, I don't mind." Wallace had supported her for years. He was the only elder who wrote to check on her. Melina had so little; she desperately wanted to protect what little she had. Andrew scrutinized Melina, then suddenly smiled—a cold, reckless smile. "I'll agree to pretend to be a couple for a day. But after that, I want you to move out." Melina's eyes widened when Andrew told her to move out. She hesitated, "But I promised Mr. Wentworth Senior I'd take care of you." Andrew scoffed. "Do you think I need your care? Dorothy arranges everything. I have helpers come in daily to keep Oakread tidy and prepare food I like. Before you showed up, the orchids in the garden thrived for two years." It was out of character for Andrew to say so much. It suddenly dawned on Melina that Andrew was right. Andrew didn't need her to take care of him at all. Her presence had only caused him trouble. These past few days had made it clear to her that Andrew strongly disliked her. Now, Andrew looked down at Melina, his tone devoid of emotion. "We're married in name only. This marriage was Grandpa's wish. I'll provide you with a house. But from now on, I don't want to see you." Melina twisted her fingers, her mind in turmoil. After a long pause, she answered. "I can move out, but I have one condition." "Oh, isn't a house in Cyntia enough? Go on, what else do you want?" Andrew's gaze was heavy with mockery. There it was, he thought, her greedy nature exposed. Knowing she couldn't get anything more from him, she was making an outrageous demand before leaving. Ignoring Andrew's scorn, Melina's expression remained serious. "I don't want your house. My only condition is that if Mr. Wentworth Senior visits in the future, you let me know. You'll pretend to be my husband just for him. I don't want Mr. Wentworth Senior to be upset." "Oh?" "If you agree to this, I'll move out as soon as I find a place." Andrew scrutinized Melina, trying to discern from her gaze whether she was doing this for Wallace or if she was using Wallace as an excuse to maintain ties with him. Melina's eyes revealed no lingering fondness for him in the end. Andrew's gaze darkened as he agreed. "Fine." Melina nodded immediately as if fearing Andrew might change his mind. "Good, then I agree to move out." Her apparent indifference irked Andrew, causing his eyes to narrow slightly. Melina, no longer concerned with Andrew, left to buy groceries. With Wallace coming for lunch, she planned to prepare several dishes. At this moment, Melina felt somewhat lost. She had tried her best. It seemed marriage wasn't something that could be managed through effort alone. Yet her confusion wasn't tinged with sadness. After all, she had agreed to marry Andrew to repay a debt of gratitude. If Andrew didn't like her, well, she didn't particularly like Andrew either. … It was 11:00 am when Wallace arrived. Seeing him, Melina hurried to greet him. "Mr. Wentworth Senior, you're here! Why did you bring so many things?" Melina took the items from Wallace. Behind him, Wallace's driver was even more laden, carrying over ten bags of various sizes, their contents a mystery. Simon Beck, Wallace's driver of over a decade, was shocked. So, the young lady he'd dropped off last time wasn't a maid or a poor relative after all! Who... Who was this young lady? He recalled how Wallace had rummaged through the storeroom early that morning. Wallace would have emptied the room had it not for the lack of hands to carry everything. Simon felt a twinge of panic, remembering how he'd left the young lady at the villa's gate last time. Wallace paid no mind to Simon's unease, nor did he spare a glance for Andrew, who stood rigid as a flagpole. Bubbling over with excitement, he pulled Melina aside to unpack the gifts. "Lina, I've brought you supplements. Young people like you should take better care of their health." "These are assorted types of essential oils. I'm not sure if you'll need it, but I brought it just in case. "This tennis bracelet I got at an auction. I thought it would suit you. Try it on." "And this is..." Melina looked at the pile of gifts, feeling helpless. "Mr. Wentworth Senior, I don't need all these things. I'm eating well, living in a big house, and Andrew is good to me. I couldn't be happier." Andrew, listening nearby, had an inscrutable look in his eyes. This girl hadn't complained but instead said she was living well. Wallace lovingly patted Melina's head, speaking gently, "Lina, I want you to live well, even better than this." Hearing this, Melina froze for a moment. She lowered her head, hiding her reddening eyes. Having endured hardship, she found it unsettling when someone treated her with such kindness. Melina was worried about disappointing Wallace for all he had done for her. Wallace had hoped for her and Andrew to have a happy life together, but she couldn't make it happen. Melina bowed her head, her voice slightly hoarse. "Thank you, Mr. Wentworth Senior." Wallace's heart ached when he saw Melina about to cry. He knew she'd had a tough life growing up. Tormented by guilt, Wallace had always regretted forcing Melina to marry Andrew without love. Even though Melina had consented to the marriage, he knew his grandson all too well. He feared Melina would suffer with Andrew. But Melina didn't feel she was suffering. Wallace's kindness to her was already more than enough. Melina's eyes sparkled like stars as she smiled brightly. "Mr. Wentworth Senior, I have gifts for you too." She ran to her room and returned with a cardboard box. From it, she pulled out a brown scarf. "Mr. Wentworth Senior, I knitted this scarf for you. The weather's getting colder, so please don't catch a chill. You need to stay warm." Wallace immediately put it on, clearly delighted. Melina continued to take items from the box. "These are letters the children wrote to you. This is a rag doll from Aspen, and here is a jar of pickles from Madam Joyce." None of Melina's gifts were valuable. But Wallace beamed with joy, appreciating the sincerity behind these gifts. At this moment, Melina seemed to have shed all her defenses, appearing docile and gentle. The pair seemed like a grandfather and granddaughter. Andrew felt like an outsider. After exchanging gifts with Wallace, Melina prepared to go to the kitchen to make lunch. As she stood up, passing by Andrew, she whispered, "Andrew, you promised me." He had agreed they would pretend to be a normal married couple for a day. Andrew glanced at her, then condescended to stand and follow her to the kitchen. Wallace watched the two head to the kitchen together, unable to suppress a smile.