Chapter 40

• Melanie sat on her bed, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs, chin resting on her knees. The room was quiet, but her mind was loud. Alexander’s words replayed over and over, stirring something deep inside her. She hated that a part of her wanted to say yes. A part of her wanted to believe that he had changed, that things could be different. But then, memories of the past came rushing back—the pain, the betrayal, the cold indifference in his eyes when he discarded her like she meant nothing. Her chest tightened, and she swallowed hard, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.
• A sharp knock on the door jolted her out of her thoughts. She cleared her throat. “Come in.”
• The door opened, and Margaret stepped inside, Mia skipping in behind her. The moment the little girl saw her mother, she squealed in delight and leaped onto the bed. “Hello, Mother!”