Chapter 5
Melanie had finally told Albert the truth, but he didn’t hear her. He was distracted because Vivienne called him again. He picked up her call and placated her before hurrying out of the hospital room.
A sigh escaped Melanie, but she was unaffected by Albert’s abrupt leaving. She was used to it. After all, Vivienne would always come first in his world.
For the next few days, Albert arranged for maids to bring Melanie meals and even hired a caretaker for her. He didn’t show up in person, but at least he was thoughtful. The only downside was that her phone wouldn’t stop vibrating because Vivienne bombarded her with photos every day.
Most of the photos were of Albert, taken while he was shopping with Vivienne, buying jewelry for her, and bringing her to fancy restaurants, among other dates. She captioned each photo with a gloating statement, bragging about how Albert was spoiling her rotten.
Melanie went through the photos and didn’t feel an ounce of jealousy. She forwarded the photos to Albert and wrote, “From Vivienne.”
There was a long silence on Albert’s end, followed by a brief but polite, “I’ll take care of this.”
“Thank you,” Melanie replied.
Just as she thought that was the end of their conversation, Albert texted her, “Have you undergone the tubal ligation reversal procedure yet? It’s best if you get it done as soon as possible.”
Melanie stared at the message in confusion. She couldn’t understand why he was so hung up about her tubal ligation. They were divorcing soon, and she would never give him children. So why was he so insistent that she got her tubes untied?
She set her phone down and didn’t reply to his text.
On the day Melanie was discharged from the hospital, Albert picked her up. She opened the door to see Vivienne occupying the passenger seat.
Vivienne turned and pointed out sarcastically, “Albert and I are attending an auction later, and I get terrible motion sickness. Would you mind taking the backseat, Ms. Olsen?”
Melanie said nothing and slid into the backseat obligingly. She’d only just settled into her seat when she heard Albert warn Vivienne quietly, “Did you forget what I told you the other day, Vivi?”
Vivienne pouted and reluctantly turned to face Melanie, saying, “I’m sorry, Ms. Olsen. I shouldn’t have been so impulsive. You wouldn’t have been hospitalized if it weren’t for me.”
Melanie was honestly shocked to hear Vivienne’s apology, but then she noted the latter’s slightly swollen lips and the exasperation in Albert’s eyes. She put two and two together instantly.
Albert had refused to touch Vivienne in the past, but to make her apologize and placate her in the process, he’d gone against his principles and kissed her.
Melanie pretended not to have noticed this detail and merely nodded in response.
Albert peered at her through the rearview mirror and asked, “Have you undergone the tubal ligation reversal procedure?”
She had no idea why he was still hounding her about this, but she replied placidly, “Yes.”
Previously, she’d had no plans of getting pregnant, but she’d changed her mind after fantasizing about the college student who resembled Leon. The idea of having a child who looked like Leon didn’t seem all that bad. Life would be too lonely otherwise.
Albert misunderstood her and nodded as well, a satisfied smile curving his lips. He continued, “Why don’t you come with me and Vivi to the auction later?”
Melanie wanted to turn him down, but it had been some time since she’d gone anywhere, so she took him up on his invitation.
At the auction, Albert readily bid for everything Vivienne wanted. Each famous artwork, jewelry piece, and antique she’d set her sights on didn’t come at a cheap price, but that didn’t deter him.
The crowd around them murmured enviously, “Mr. Palmer sure is generous with his adopted sister. He isn’t even half as generous with his wife!”
Albert caught this and glanced at Melanie, asking softly, “Is there anything you fancy? I’ll get it for you.”
Melanie shook her head just as she saw the watch being presented on stage. It was a classic men’s timepiece that featured a simple, elegant design. She thought it would look good on Leon and felt sorry that he couldn’t have it.
But she could always get it for the college student who resembled him. As such, she lifted her bidding paddle and bid, “Three million dollars!”
At that moment, Albert’s expression shifted slightly. He’d been bidding on what Vivienne wanted since the auction started. He hadn’t so much as bid on anything for Melanie, yet she was bidding for a watch as a gift for him.
Inexplicable emotions coursed through him, and his gaze softened as he turned to look at Melanie.
