Chapter 59

Melissa.

A couple of hours earlier. Sebastian stormed out in a burst of anger, slamming the door behind him, leaving me engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions. Sinking to my knees, tears streamed down my face, his words echoing in my mind. I believed he spoke the truth, that he never meant to harm me or the baby. I was certain his despair, pain, and anger were genuine. I saw it in his eyes. He was truly hurt and shattered, much like I was feeling now. How could I have been so easily deceived? What had I done? For three years, I kept my daughter away from her father, missing the chance for a happy family. I couldn't keep lying to myself. I loved Sebastian. I always had. Despite the pain and desire for revenge I felt upon learning about his cruel intentions toward me, my feelings for him never faded. He was my weakness, a temptation I couldn't resist, even though I knew the consequences of indulging in such weakness.

"Hey, don't cry," Anderson's gentle voice reached me, his hand soothingly stroking my arm. Helping me to my feet, he enveloped me in a tight embrace. "We won't let him take Angel away from us, don't worry," he reassured, planting a kiss on my forehead while gently caressing the back of my head.

Pulling away slightly, I attempted to stifle my sobs. "Us?" I repeated bitterly. "There's no 'us,' Anderson. Stop pretending we're a happy family because we're not," I exclaimed in a hushed tone, not wanting to wake Angel with my raised voice. "It was just a deal, and it's no longer valid now that Sebastian knows about Angel!"

“And didn’t you want revenge, as well?” he challenged bitterly. “Was it all about Angel only?”

I shook my head. “She was, and she is, my priority!”

Anderson 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 Anderson’ 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 Sebastian. Just when I thought he truly loved me, it turned out he was using me too!” I sobbed, desperately sobbed. “Later Colin, and now... you, Anderson.”

Anderson’s face was washed with regret. His eyes squeezed momentarily. “I’m not manipulating you, Melissa. 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 Sebastian 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 Anderson, 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 Colin said was true! You insisted that once Sebastian 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,” Anderson 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 Sebastian 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.

Anderson sighed, combing his fingers through his hair before drawing closer, his eyes reflecting what seemed like pain.

“Melissa, 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, Melissa.”

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.”

Anderson 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 Anderson followed. He grabbed my elbow to stop me, and I instinctively swirled around to face him.