Chapter 33

Tim’s not here anymore. He doesn’t like it.

Upon hearing this, Christopher relaxed, then instructed Sheldon, “Go downstairs and pick up the bedding and a four-piece set from the store.”

Sheldon acknowledged the order and left while Christopher returned to the living room. Melody continued cleaning up; most of her things were…

Suddenly, she got up and went to her room. When she tried to unlock the door, someone came up behind her and opened the bottom drawer. It was empty. Melody turned, meeting Cynthia’s smiling face.

“Where’s my notebook?” she asked sharply.

“What notebook? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cynthia replied innocently.

“Didn’t you open the drawer?” Melody gritted her teeth.

Before Cynthia could respond, Christopher frowned, asking, “What are you two arguing about?”

Melody was about to speak, but Cynthia quickly answered, “It’s nothing. Mel was just checking if she left anything behind.”

Then, she leaned in close and whispered in Melody’s ear, “Melody, I threw it in the trash. Do you still want Christopher to see the disgusting things written in it?” A chill ran down Melody’s spine, and she stiffened, glaring at Cynthia.

“You should thank me. If he saw it, just imagine the look he would give you,” Cynthia continued. “He only likes me. He finds you repulsive.”

Melody clenched her fists, biting her lip, trembling as she stared at Cynthia, unable to speak. Cynthia was right; Christopher never liked her. He only felt disdain and hatred for her. Rather than let him use that against her, it was better for the diary to be gone. After all, she had intended to destroy it anyway.

“What did you forget?” Christopher asked from outside the door, noticing them whispering.

“Nothing,” Melody said softly, standing up, lowering her head, and passing him without looking at him.

Cynthia’s lips curled into a smile. As she reached for his arm, she heard him ask, “When will your ID card be ready?”

Cynthia’s smile faltered. “Because I’m an orphan, I need social services assistance. I’ve already asked Fiona to take care of it.” Her eyes were misting with emotion. “Did I cause you trouble, Christopher?”

“No. Don’t think too much about it. I was just asking,” Christopher said.

“I thought you were going to ask me to leave because of Mel’s outburst,” she said, her head lowered, her tone tinged with sadness.

Christopher gently caressed her head. “Of course not. You can stay as long as you want.”

Cynthia smiled. “Thank you, Christopher. You’re so kind.”

Meanwhile, their affectionate exchange reached Melody’s ears in the small guest room, and she felt disgusted. Cynthia could stay forever, but soon, Melody would be moving out anyway. Sheldon had bought the bedding and everything, but Christopher urged him to leave before he could help set it up.

“She’s got nothing to do, so let her take her time,” he said.

“Christopher, can you drop me off at the studio on the way? I need to go out,” Cynthia said, acting coy.

“Sure,” he replied.

The three left. The door clicked shut, and the house finally returned to silence. In the small guest room, Melody straightened up, took two deep breaths, and only then seemed to relax.