Chapter 3

Nadia sighed, clearly exhausted. "Why do we keep going in circles? Why can't you understand me?

"If you keep acting like this, we might have to break up."

"So you're leaving me because of him?" Yosef demanded, his eyes blazing with anger.

Yosef stormed out, and the moment he stepped outside, he ran right into me, just as I was about to head out.

I shrank back, feeling like a startled rabbit caught in the intensity of his fierce expression.

I was so nervous and timid.

He hadn't expected to bump into anyone either. After a moment of surprise, he quickly pulled himself together.

We made some small talk, then went our separate ways.

That was the first time our paths ever crossed.

When my dad found out they were breaking up, he got so mad that he seemed to age before my eyes.

Day after day, he kept telling Nadia how marrying Yosef would be the best thing ever, all the things she'd get, and how much it would mean for the Stark family.

No matter what he said, Nadia always replied with the same thing.

"I don't want to marry someone who doesn't get me, and then feel stuck for the rest of my life," Nadia said firmly.

My dad was so pissed that he slapped her. Nadia stared at him in utter disbelief.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she covered her face and ran out of the room.

"Why did I have such a rebellious daughter?" my dad snapped.

He pressed a hand to his chest, looking like he could barely breathe.

I rushed over to steady him, trying to help him catch his breath.

"Dad, don't stress yourself out. I'll go talk to Nadia for you," I said.

"Don't go," he ordered sternly, stopping me in my tracks.

"Freeze all her cards. Let her see what it's like to live without for a while. Let's see if she keeps being so stubborn," he said angrily.

I went along with him, saying, "Nadia's just upset right now. She'll come back in a few days."

"If only that were true," my dad muttered.

Of course, he knew Nadia had always been spoiled.

"Either way, now that we've got ties to the Warren family, we can't afford to lose it now," he said.

As he spoke, his gaze landed on me. "Thank goodness I still have you, my sweet, thoughtful girl."

He started finding excuses for me and Yosef to spend time alone, clearly hoping I'd catch Yosef's eye.

I tried to protest, "Dad, Yosef is Nadia's boyfriend, and he loves her.

"If you make me do this, Nadia's just going to be upset."

He said, "I'm not asking you to do anything with him. Just serve him some coffee, and let him notice you.

"Melina, remember, the Stark family is your only safety net. If the Stark family does well, so will you.

"Do you understand?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I understand."

I saw his selfish, heartless true colors, and I'd never forget the shame.

I followed him into the room, wearing a low-cut dress.

"Sorry, I'm late," my dad said.

"Getting older, I can only visit resorts like this now. Hope I'm not putting you out, Mr. Warren," he added.

Yosef gave a polite smile. "Not at all."

Then, my dad was putting on a bit of a paternal air with Yosef, acting as if he were the senior in the room.

Back in the day, he would never have dared to do that.

He probably had no desire to go back to those times when he had to bow and scrape to Yosef.

"Melina, pour Mr. Warren some coffee," my dad said.

Their attention shifted to me, but I stayed put, refusing to move.

It wasn't until my dad urged me again that I finally walked over, putting on a forced smile and a sway in my step as I poured Yosef a cup of coffee.

"Mr. Warren, here's your coffee," I said.

Yosef's gaze inevitably drifted to my chest.

When he realized what he was staring at, he jerked his eyes away, only for our eyes to meet before he could help it.

Heat crept up my cheeks as I ducked my head, feeling awkward.

"Melina, I'm feeling a bit sleepy. You keep Mr. Warren company for me," my dad said.

With that, he walked out, and suddenly it was just me and Yosef, alone together in the room.

Yosef let out a cold laugh. "Looks like I've been way too nice to the Starks lately. You don't even know what kind of nobodies you really are anymore.

"Do you seriously think I'd just take in any trash you throw at me?"

I lowered my head, mortified, as he got up to walk out.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Tears spilled down uncontrollably, my face a chaotic mess of colors.

I looked miserable, like a total wreck.

"I... I didn't want this either. I just didn't know how to say no," I stammered.

And then a shadow fell over me. I looked up to see that Yosef was standing right there.

He draped his suit jacket over my shoulders.

He said, "I'm in love with Nadia. Don't ever put yourself in this position again.

"I'll handle things with your dad. You won't get caught up in this."

With that, Yosef turned and walked away.

Just as he reached the door, he looked back and said, "Burn that jacket. No need to give it back."

The door clicked shut, leaving the room in silence.

I pulled the jacket tighter around me.

I had to admit that he really was such a good man.

But the better he treated me, the more I wanted to destroy him.

Yosef's feelings for Nadia went way beyond anything I could have imagined.

He reached out to Nadia first, making up with her and coaxing her back into his arms.

He even made a big show of their relationship on social media, flaunting their love for everyone to see.

He was absolutely thrilled, subtly letting it slip that he was thinking about marriage.