Chapter 8
Melanie originally thought that if she could just make it through the next few days, she’d finally be able to leave her marriage behind and start afresh.
But out of nowhere, disaster had struck—both Albert and Vivienne had ended up in the hospital. Now, Melanie was stuck caring for both of them at the same time. She was exhausted for days on end, and to make matters worse, Vivienne kept picking on her.
Whether it was complaining about the chowder Melanie made and hurling the scalding broth onto her hand or insisting that she drive out in the middle of the night to get her favorite dessert, Vivienne was determined to make Melanie’s life hell.
Melanie knew Vivienne was tormenting her on purpose. But with only a few days left in her marriage with Albert, she reckoned there was no point in picking a fight with Vivienne. She only had to hold out for a few more days, and all of this would blow over for good.
She didn’t want to spend these last days creating more conflict with Vivienne.
Albert could see how much Melanie was putting up with and felt guilty about it.
“You’ve been through a lot these past few days,” he said softly. “I’ll make it up to you. What do you want?”
Melanie shook her head. “It’s fine. Thanks for offering.”
But Albert couldn’t seem to let it go. Once he felt better, he had the nurse look after Vivienne while he took Melanie out on a date.
That day, Albert brought her to a theme park they’d never visited in all their years of marriage. He even bought her ice cream, rode the Ferris wheel with her, and had her take photos with him in front of the carousel.
After that, they watched a movie and enjoyed a candlelight dinner. For one day, they were just like any other couple.
Melanie wanted to tell him she wasn’t into these things, that he didn’t have to do this for her. But when she saw the joy on Albert’s face as he immersed himself in the moment, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him.
When Melanie returned to the hospital, she found Vivienne waiting at the door with a stormy expression.
She glared at Melanie, her eyes full of rage as she demanded, “Did Albert take you out on a date?”
Melanie opened her mouth to explain, but before she could speak, Vivienne suddenly raised her voice.
Her words were sharp with anger as she snapped, “Don’t think he’s falling for you just because he’s doing all this, Melanie! I’ll prove to you that he will only listen to me! No one, not even you, will ever compare to me!”
Melanie wanted to tell Vivienne that she was well aware of the situation, but before she could get the words out, Vivienne clamped a towel over her mouth and nose.
In the next moment, Melanie’s vision blurred, and she passed out.
When Melanie regained consciousness, she realized she was hanging by a rope at the edge of a cliff. The sea wind howled, and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was deafening.
Her wrists were raw and sore from the rough rope binding them, and she stared at the deep, dark ocean roaring below.
Melanie turned to see that Vivienne was also hanging by a rope beside her. The latter had a smug smile on her face.
“I hired a kidnapper to stage this. As far as Albert is concerned, we’ve been ‘abducted’. He’ll be here soon. Who do you think he’ll save—you or me?”
Melanie glanced at Vivienne, feeling drained. “He’ll save you.”
Vivienne snorted. “At least you’re smart.”
Melanie was speechless. How could Albert possibly be in love with someone like Vivienne?
Albert arrived shortly after. He stood at the edge of the cliff, his face pale and etched with panic. He threw a large box of money to the ground, but the kidnapper wasn’t interested in the cash and merely sneered.
“Mr. Palmer, you can only save one of them. Make your choice.”
Albert’s voice turned harsh. “I’ll save both!”
The kidnapper waved his knife impatiently. “If you don’t choose, you’ll lose both.”
Albert’s eyes shifted back and forth between Melanie and Vivienne, hesitation and confusion flickering across his face.
Just as the kidnapper was about to cut the ropes, Albert finally made his choice. “Save Vivienne!”
He turned to Melanie, his voice tight as he explained helplessly, “Vivienne just had an accident. She’s weak, and I…”
Melanie smiled faintly, her tone oddly calm. “It’s okay. You’d choose to save her even if she hadn’t been in an accident.”
Albert’s heart seemed to lurch as if her words had pounded through his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, the kidnapper cut the rope that held Melanie.
In an instant, her body plunged into the cold sea, swallowed by the waves.
“Melanie!”
…
When Melanie came to, she found herself in a hospital bed. Her wrists were bound in thick bandages, and signs of exhaustion were etched on her pale face.
Albert was sitting by her side, his expression a mixture of fatigue and guilt. “I’ve looked into the kidnapping incident, and it turns out that Vivienne staged it. This is the last time. It won’t happen again. I’ll make it up to you, Melanie. Tell me what you want. Don’t say you don’t need anything.”
Melanie looked at him, her eyes as still and hollow as an abyss. “Do me a favor and go be with Vivienne. She must have been shocked.”
Albert’s pupils widened incredulously. “This is what you want in compensation?”
Melanie nodded, her tone still the same. “Yes. The more time you spend fussing over her, the less she’ll focus on me.”
Albert’s throat tightened like he was being choked. After a long pause, he finally said in a low voice, “Alright. I’ll check on her now, but I’ll come back soon.”
He tucked the blanket around Melanie and quickly left.
Melanie quietly watched his retreating figure, shaking her head ever so slightly. She wanted to tell him not to bother coming back. After all, she was leaving him today.
Once Albert was gone, Melanie pulled out the IV needle, ignoring the nurse’s protests. Then, she left the hospital. Her flight was at 11:00 am, and she only had two hours left to tie up loose ends.
She hailed a cab and went straight to the courthouse to pick up the divorce certificate, not wanting to waste any more time.
She then returned home and placed the divorce certificate and the divorce agreement on the coffee table so Albert would see them the moment he walked in. For good measure, she slipped off her wedding band and set it atop the papers.
Finally, Melanie grabbed her suitcases and set the house keys on the console before leaving the villa.
As she stood on the villa’s doorstep, she took one last look at the house she’d lived in for the last five years and whispered, “Goodbye, Albert.”
With that, Melanie bid goodbye to the five years she’d spent with Albert.
