Just as she was lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang. She picked it up and saw that it was Larry calling.
A wave of nervousness washed over her as she carefully answered the call.
"Hey, Grandpa," Melinda tried to keep her voice steady.
"Melinda, are you busy? Did Raymond mention my birthday to you?" Larry's kind voice came through the line.
"Yeah," Melinda glanced at Raymond sitting on the couch.
"You gotta come!" Larry emphasized again.
Melinda wanted to refuse, but faced with Larry's enthusiasm, she didn't know how to say no.
She reluctantly agreed, "Alright, I'll be there."
After hanging up, Melinda let out a long sigh.
She hoped her mother wouldn't bring Bobby to the party.
But she was sure Emily would be there.
This birthday party was bound to be anything but peaceful.
Before leaving, Raymond handed her a gold-embossed invitation.
On Friday night, finally, with Raymond's help, Sam closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Melinda stayed alone in her room, closing her eyes, trying to clear her mind. However, her relationship with Raymond was like a tangled mess; the more she tried to sort it out, the worse it got.
Melinda sat up, deciding to get some ice water to calm her nerves.
She opened the door, not turning on the living room light, relying on the dim moonlight streaming through the window. She walked to the fridge, opened it, and impulsively grabbed a bottle of cold beer.
She opened it and took a big gulp, the cold liquid sliding down her throat. Melinda drank as she walked back to her room, wanting nothing more than to get drunk and sleep until morning.
Half a bottle in, despite the burning throat and bitter taste, Melinda felt a bit better.
She didn't notice a figure emerging from the shadows, quietly approaching her from behind.
Raymond watched her drink, a hint of pain in his eyes.
Melinda tossed the empty bottle into the trash and turned to head back to her room.
Suddenly, she saw a shadow, her eyes widening in fear, "Who's there?" she shouted.
Raymond stepped out of the darkness, squinting at her, "You've been drinking?"
His voice carried a hint of undeniable affection.
Melinda, slightly tipsy, tilted her head, "Yeah, so what?"
Raymond wrapped an arm around her waist, "Why?"
His voice had a trace of bitterness.
Melinda smiled drunkenly, "I didn't plan on telling you."
Raymond tightened his grip, "Is something bothering you?" His voice was persistent.
They say alcohol gives courage, and Melinda indeed felt bolder.
Although she had previously refused to discuss Raymond and Emily, now she felt an urge to get to the bottom of it.
Melinda sat across from Raymond, raising an eyebrow, her smile challenging, "You'll answer whatever I ask, right?" A flicker of surprise crossed Raymond's eyes. Was he the reason she couldn't sleep tonight?
He nodded, his voice open, "Ask away."
Melinda stared into Raymond's eyes, her voice firm, "Let's talk about you and Emily."
Raymond's heart tightened, a hint of refusal in his eyes, his voice displeased, "Why do we have to talk about that?"
"I'm curious, how did Emily manage to sleep with you?" Melinda's tone was detached, as if discussing something irrelevant to her.
Raymond's brow furrowed, his voice low, "I was set up, it happened when I wasn't in my right mind."
"Really? Where did it happen? A hotel?" Melinda's tone was mocking.
"Yes," Raymond answered briefly.
Melinda wasn't shocked; such absurd things often happened in those places.
She continued, "Have you been compensating her for the past five years?"
Raymond shook his head, his voice honest, "No, I only found her this year."
"How did you find her?" Melinda asked curiously.
Raymond took a deep breath, recalling a past he didn't want to remember, "That night, before I lost my mind, I gave her my necklace. A few months ago, I found it in a second-hand luxury store. That's how I knew it was her."
A memory flashed in Melinda's mind, anger and pain surging within her.
Are all men like this? Taking advantage and then thinking they can make up for it?
She remembered the night she was violated, the man had left something too. In her pain and anger, she had stormed out, leaving it behind.
Raymond noticed Melinda's expression darkening, worry creeping in, "What are you thinking?"
Melinda snapped back, her eyes mocking, "Seems like Emily left quite an impression on you. Five years and you were still looking for her."
Raymond was at a loss for words.
Melinda was right. For five years, he had thought about that night.
But after finding Emily, he hadn't thought about it again. Because every time he did, the memory didn't match up with Emily.
He took a deep breath, his voice tense, "Do you care about what happened between me and Emily?"
Melinda lightly brushed her hair back, revealing a bright face.
She smiled, her voice carefree, "No, I don't care."
Why should she care? Knowing the truth would only disgust her more.
"The past can't be changed, Melinda. Don't dwell on it. We can have our own future."
Raymond's brow furrowed, his gaze sharp, filled with an indescribable tension.
Melinda sighed softly, "Really? Some things can't be changed, Mr. Thomas. It's late, get some rest."
Her words carried a deep sense of helplessness.
She had also experienced painful and absurd pasts, knowing they couldn't be changed, only accepted.
She was about to get up and return to her room when Raymond grabbed her.
With one long stride, he pulled her into his arms.
Melinda, dizzy from the alcohol, instinctively pushed him away, "Raymond, let go of me!"