Chapter 1
The day I got out of prison, my husband, Ewan Berry, came to pick me up.
After three years apart, the look in his eyes was still cold and full of contempt.
Ewan grabbed a bag of experimental drugs from the front seat and chucked it at me.
"These are newly developed. Since you're back, you can try them out for Sloan," he said.
When I hesitated, he gave me a mocking smirk.
"Melody, don't forget. You still owe Sloan your life," he said coldly.
His voice was icy and full of threat, certain I wouldn't dare to argue.
"Alright," I said.
This time, I said yes without a second thought.
The car fell into a long silence.
"Three years in prison really tamed you, huh?" Ewan sneered.
I didn't respond, just stared out the window.
"I'm dying, Ewan. Soon, you'll never have the chance to hurt me again," I said to myself.
"Melody, you've got two months left. Do whatever you want," Ewan said coldly.
The prison guard handed me my medical report and personal belongings, her voice tinged with sadness.
I gave her a small bow, picked up my stuff, and walked out.
As I walked out of the prison gates, I drew in a deep breath, feeling the weight of freedom settle on me.
The sunlight was warm and gentle, soothing against my face.
Shame I wouldn't get to enjoy this for long.
Three hellish years behind bars left me with pancreatic cancer.
After countless bouts of pancreatitis, it finally turned into full-blown cancer.
"Get in the car," Ewan's voice cut through the silence. I climbed in, like a robot, not even thinking about it.
After three years apart, Ewan was still as unapproachable as ever.
He grabbed a bag of drugs fresh out of the lab from the front seat and tossed it at me. "Since you're back, you can test these for Sloan."
Try the drugs? I grabbed the bag tightly.
"Melody, don't forget. You still owe Sloan your life," Ewan's voice was like ice.
"Because of Lacey, her heart gave out again. The only reason you're still breathing is because she spared you out of mercy," he added.
Lacey Berry was the baby Sloan Hudson lost.
His voice was cold and threatening, sure I wouldn't dare talk back.
"Alright," I said.
I agreed without hesitation, and the car fell into a long, heavy silence.
"Three years in prison really tamed you, huh?" Ewan sneered.
As I stepped out of the car, Ewan curled his lips in a mocking smirk.
I looked up at him, and even though my heart had been numb for ages, I still felt that familiar sting deep inside.
I thought I'd never hurt over Ewan again.
But right now, it still hurt.
Sloan was helped out by one of the staff, wearing a flowy white dress, her face ghostly pale and looking sickly.
She looked at me with nothing but hatred in her eyes.
The wind started blowing, and the autumn evening was bone-chilling.
Ewan didn't hesitate. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
I was shaking from the cold, but nobody even glanced my way.
Doesn't matter. My whole life's already ruined beyond saving.
"Why did you let her come back?!" Sloan snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
"Melody has nowhere else to go. Besides, I need her here to test the drugs for you. It's just easier if she stays," Ewan said.
Sloan turned away, ignoring him, and Ewan quickly followed after her, still speaking gently to calm her down.
I couldn't help but let out a silent, bitter laugh. They really did look like a couple.
Funny, I was the one who had actually married Ewan.
With my bag slung over my shoulder, I stepped into the living room. The whole place had been redecorated to fit Sloan's taste. It was like I'd walked into her world.
"The key to your room is in the storage closet. Go get it yourself," Ewan said coldly.
He tossed the key at my feet. I obediently picked it up and headed for the storage closet, just doing as I was told.
When I opened the door, the dust rushed out at me, making me cough.
Looking around, I saw that all the furniture I loved had been dumped here.
Even the crib, never used, was buried under dust.
After staring at it for ages, I finally walked over and brushed the dust away, as gently as I could.
She would've been here in just two months, my little girl, sleeping in this crib.
Tucked away in the crib, I found the key to the bedroom Ewan and I once called ours.
Turns out, he hadn't even stepped into our bedroom in all these years.
Figures, he had probably been living with Sloan instead.
"Melody, go kneel for Lacey!" Sloan barked, her voice full of fury.
As soon as I stepped out of the storage closet, Sloan stood in my way.
Ewan quickly pulled her behind him, protecting her, as if I was some kind of threat.
He was acting like I was dangerous.
"Alright. Where?" I said, not even hesitating.
Ewan paused for a second, then pointed upstairs to the nursery on the second floor.
I looked up, and it felt like someone had ripped a hole right through my chest.
That was the nursery I'd set up for my daughter.
Now, Ewan had turned it into a shrine for Sloan's lost child.
"Why did you have to use that room?" I demanded, my voice trembling with emotion.
Even though I'd long since given up hoping for anything from Ewan,
when it came to my daughter, I just couldn't stop myself from fighting for her.
"Because you killed my daughter! Even fate couldn't stand what you did, so it took your own kid as payback!" Sloan shouted.
"Using her room as a memorial for my daughter is the only shot she has at making up for it!" she snapped.