Chapter 95

“Christopher knows he’s wrong now, Mel. He’s been trying to contact you these last few days,” Daniel said. “I’ll have someone get rid of that woman. Could you forgive Christopher this time? Please give him another chance.”

“Christopher doesn’t realize he’s actually fallen for you. He was here earlier today, saying he doesn’t want a divorce. He even cried. I promise you he’ll be a better husband from now on.”

On the other end of the phone, Melody’s face was expressionless. She was utterly uninterested. If she had known Daniel couldn't make the divorce work, she wouldn't have answered. Did he call to vouch for Christopher?

Melody scoffed. She found it easier to believe the earth had exploded, humanity had gone extinct, and the sun had risen in the west than to believe Christopher had changed.

“I know you’re asking me to give Christopher a chance, but I’d really appreciate it if you could just spare me from this hell,” Melody said.

Daniel was stunned. He didn’t understand.

“Have you ever been blistered, the size of a fist? Even walking was painful, like walking on a knife’s edge. What about the tailbone fracture? I was bedridden in the hospital for half a month, the pain keeping me up all night.

“There’s also the gas leak poisoning. The doctor said if I’d stayed there two or three minutes longer, I would have died from shock,” Melody recounted calmly, her voice as cold as ice.

“Please, just spare me. The two-year contract is up. Plus, I don’t feel like dying yet. I’d still like to continue living,” Melody finally said.

Daniel’s eyes widened in shock. He murmured, disbelief trembling in his voice, “I—Is that all true?”

“Of course it’s true. I have hospital records, and there are still scars on my body. This is all proof,” Melody said.

“I’ve suffered two years of emotional and verbal abuse. He degraded me and treated me like a maid. He never showed me basic respect or decency.

“I’m begging you. Please don’t make me go back there and live a life of torment again. I might not be perfect, but I don’t deserve this punishment.” Melody’s voice choked with emotion as she recounted her ordeal. She felt sorry for herself, mourning her past suffering.

After relating her story, she hung up, taking a deep breath to compose herself before returning to work.

Meanwhile, Daniel sat dazed on the sofa for a long time, utterly stunned. He couldn’t believe what Melody had endured. How could he have known nothing?

That bastard, Christopher! How could he hurt her so badly? She had been on the brink of death. What evil had he committed? Melody had tried to spare him the humiliation; how could he so shamelessly vouch for Christopher?

Daniel felt awful and sorry for Melody. Fury consumed him. He ordered Larry, “Get Christopher on the phone immediately!”

Larry was dialing when Daniel changed his mind. “Hold that. He’ll find excuses and deny everything. Call Sheldon.”

Larry called Sheldon. When Sheldon answered, Daniel took a deep breath and said sternly, “Sheldon, I know you’re with Christopher. I have something to ask you, and all you have to do is hum your answer. Don’t let Christopher know.”

Sheldon sensed the gravity of the situation. He glanced at the backseat and hummed softly. He wondered what Daniel wanted to ask. It turned out to be about Melody. After Daniel finished speaking, Sheldon gave a resolute hum.