Chapter 63

However, Christopher didn't hear the familiar voice. Instead, a mechanical voice announced, "Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

He frowned. Temporarily unavailable?

He hung up and dialed again, but after several attempts, the same message played. His anger surged immediately. Earlier, when he'd called Melody a hundred times, at least no one had picked up. Now, he couldn't even get through. Did that mean she had blocked him?

He clenched his fist, gritted his teeth, and laughed, saying angrily, "Fine, Melody! I gave you an out, but you won't take it. Do you want me to go to the hospital and find you? Dream on!"

It had been four days since the gas leak incident, and he hadn't even scolded her. He had even made Cynthia move out. Yet, what had Melody done? Not only was she ungrateful, but her temper was also worsening, and now she had blocked him.

Christopher was furious. He realized he had been spoiling her lately. She had never dared defy him, and she was always submissive. Now, she had blocked his number, so he wasn't about to send her any messages. If he did, he would feel like he was debasing himself, as if he were begging her, trying to please her.

At the bus stop next to the pedestrian street, Heidi arrived and immediately recognized Melody's slender figure from afar. She walked over and greeted her, "Mel!"

Melody was startled, turned around, and smiled when she saw Heidi. Then, she noticed Heidi's stunned expression. She tilted her head, confused, wondering if Heidi had forgotten her after two years. But that didn't make sense; Heidi had just called out to her.

"What's wrong? You look stunned," Melody asked.

"Mel!" Heidi exclaimed, placing both hands on her shoulders, her face serious. "How did you end up like this? Weren't you traveling abroad? You look like all your energy has been drained," she asked, astonished.

Melody paused momentarily and instinctively touched her face, replying, "Maybe it's because I didn't wear makeup?"

"It's not that. You barely wore makeup in college, but back then, your lips were rosy, your teeth white, and you were full of vitality. But now? You seem to have suffered a huge blow, and your eyes are dull." Heidi sighed, feeling sorry for her.

Melody pursed her lips, silently reflecting. Had the past two years really taken such a toll on her? It made sense, though. She had endured both physical and mental torment with no positive feedback. She was constantly suppressed, her mood was heavy, and she had even almost died. How could she possibly have a good complexion?

"Did something happen to you abroad? Or were you kidnapped and sold as a slave? Don't tell me you got involved in a fraud ring and barely made it out alive!" Heidi asked, her tone becoming increasingly absurd.

Hearing her exaggerated words, Melody smiled and replied, "If that were the case, wouldn't you have received a scam call from me by now?"

"I'm not joking with you," Heidi said seriously.

"I know. Thanks for your concern. I'm fine. I've just learned to see things differently," Melody smiled. "A person's spirit changes with their realizations. It's all normal."

Heidi wasn't fully convinced, but since Melody didn't appear injured or missing any limbs, she happily pulled Melody into a hug.

"Ah!" Melody gasped slightly in pain, and Heidi quickly released her.