Chapter 1

Melanie Olsen and Albert Palmer were no better than strangers, even though they'd been married for five years. Granted, they got married for their families' business interests, but they were stiff and courteous with one another even in the bedroom.

Albert started by trailing kisses over Melanie's collarbones.

"I'll begin," he murmured, peeling off her clothes inch by inch, his voice dropping an octave as he asked, "May I?"

When he finally entered her, he said hoarsely, "Tell me if you want me to stop."

The seconds ticked by, and the bed rocked steadily, albeit violently. Melanie panted as her slender fingers gripped the sheets beneath her.

After a while, she could no longer keep up with Albert's stamina and said, "I'm sorry, but this is getting a little wild. It's been three hours, and I can't take it anymore. Can we stop?"

Albert stiffened and paused atop her before muttering a hurried apology, then groaned as he pulled out of her. Mustering all the self-control he had, he pressed a kiss to Melanie's forehead, apologized a second time, then headed into the bathroom to take a cold shower.

Melanie didn't regain her composure until she'd heard the water running in the bathroom for some time. She slowly sat up and pulled her clothes back on with trembling hands, covering the purplish marks Albert had left on her skin.

She then turned on the bedside lamp and reached for her nightstand drawer, from which she drew out a set of documents. It was none other than a divorce agreement.

Melanie let out a breath. Five years had passed, and it was time she ended her marriage with Albert.

Everyone in high society knew the Palmers and the Olsens had joined hands by arranging a marriage between their heir and heiress, respectively. Melanie and Albert had, at best, a polite relationship, though everyone seemed to think of them as the model couple.

No one in high society knew that Albert and Melanie were each in love with someone else.

Albert was in love with his adopted younger sister, whom the Palmers had fostered, but he couldn't be with her because of their background differences.

As for Melanie, the man she was in love with had died five years ago, leaving her and their dreams of spending eternity together high and dry.

Where one found himself in a star-crossed love story, the other grieved for a lost one.

On the first day of their marriage, Albert and Melanie had been honest with each other about their true loves. They'd agreed to please their families and followed through with the arranged marriage.

They would consummate their marriage and live together as husband and wife for five years. They wouldn't share personal details of their lives and only fulfill their marital obligations.

Five years had passed since then, and Albert and Melanie still lived their separate lives. It was time to end their marriage.

Melanie was waiting for Albert to come out of the bathroom so she could discuss their divorce when he suddenly opened the bathroom door.

He hurried out, his hair still dripping with water, and grabbed the car keys. He made to leave, but Melanie was so baffled by his behavior that she asked, "Where are you going at this hour?"

Albert halted in his tracks. A sense of urgency underlined his usually cool and indifferent tone. "Vivi had a nightmare, so I'm going over to her place to keep her company. Get some rest and sleep without me."

Vivienne Palmer was Albert's adopted younger sister and true love. Melanie stared at him evenly. Normally, she wouldn't pry into the reasons behind his visits to Vivienne's place, no matter the time.

Vivienne could have gotten into a car crash, run a fever, or suffered period cramps, and Melanie would still have kept up her end of the deal. She would stay put at home alone and not bother Albert during his dates with Vivienne.

But tonight was different. Given her intentions to divorce Albert, Melanie had no choice but to be rude and ask, "Give me five minutes. I need to talk to you about something important."

Albert blinked at her. "Is it very important?"

Melanie paused, then said softly, "Sort of."

He was about to speak when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw Vivienne's name.

The moment the call was answered, Vivienne wailed miserably, "Albert, I'm scared. Are you here yet? I want you to hold me while I sleep…"

Albert's gaze softened as he promised gently, "I'll be right there."

He hung up and turned to look at Melanie, saying politely, "I'll leave the decision-making to you. Feel free to call the shots without my input."

Melanie was taken aback, but she quickly nodded. She flipped to the last page of the divorce agreement and handed it to Albert. "Sign here, please."

Albert gave a quick nod and signed the page without reading it. He then spun on his heels and dashed out the door.

As the sound of his car engine grew fainter, Melanie picked up her phone and called her lawyer. "The divorce agreement has been signed. How long will it take for the divorce to be finalized?"

The lawyer replied on the other end, "There's a mandatory one-month cooling-off period after we submit the papers to the courthouse. After that, your divorce will be final."

Feeling as if a weight had been lifted off her chest, Melanie ended the call and bought herself a ticket bound for Southaven. She had her reasons for wanting to make a trip to Southaven.

A while ago, her best friend had stumbled upon a college student working part-time at a bar in Southaven who looked a lot like Melanie's first love, Leon Weston, and he appeared to be struggling financially.

Melanie couldn't stand the thought of someone who strongly resembled Leon working and barely making ends meet. She was loaded, and the college student needed money. She made up her mind to sponsor him and had her best friend negotiate with him.

After two or three days of radio silence, the young man had agreed to Melanie's offer. However, his grandmother was in Southaven, which made traveling to Northbane impossible for him.

Melanie considered her options. Since her parents were dead and she had no relatives in Northbane, she figured she might as well relocate to Southaven. As long as she could spend the rest of her life looking at Leon's face, she reckoned she'd be happy no matter where she was.

Chapter 2

Melanie had a wonderful dream that night, and she woke up the next morning with a trace of a smile curving her lips.

It cheered her up to know that her days of being courteous and formal with Albert were ending and that soon she would be seeing Leon's face every day. She even prayed that the divorce would be finalized soon, willing the cooling-off period to go by faster.

The maids had already made breakfast when Melanie came downstairs. She'd planned on packing her things after breakfast until she heard noises coming from the foyer.

She looked up to see Albert holding the door open, and behind him stood Vivienne, as well as several bodyguards weighed down by suitcases.

Albert looked elegant in a fitted black suit that flattered his broad shoulders and towering silhouette. Vivienne, on the other hand, wore a long, ivory dress. Her long hair cascaded past her shoulders, and she had one arm looped through Albert's.

They made a handsome couple and looked like a match made in heaven.

Albert made room for the bodyguards to bring in Vivienne's luggage before explaining to Melanie, "Vivi's been having nightmares recently. She can't sleep unless I'm around, so I figured I'd let her move in with us for a while."

Having said this, he took an ornate jewelry box out of his pocket and handed it to Melanie. "I got this necklace during an auction for you. Think of it as… compensation, if you will."

Melanie stared at the box but didn't reach for it. Instead, she gently pushed it back to Albert and said softly, "You don't have to compensate me for anything, Albert. We've plenty of room in the house. Vivienne is welcome to stay."

Albert was surprised. "You're not angry?"

"Why would I be angry?" Melanie asked, even more surprised by his question. "She'll move in here after a month, anyway."

Albert froze, not at all understanding what Melanie meant by that. Why would she expect Vivienne to move into their home a month later?

He was about to press Melanie further when Vivienne interjected with a smug, challenging smile, "Thank you, Ms. Olsen."

She never addressed Melanie by her married name since she didn't acknowledge Melanie as Albert's lawfully wedded wife.

When Melanie and Albert had first gotten married five years ago, Vivienne stormed into their marital bedroom with a horde of bodyguards and trashed the room beyond repair. She'd looked like a feral beast as she roared at Melanie hysterically, "You have no right to steal my brother from me!"

After that, Albert must have talked to Vivienne and convinced her to tone it down, for she stopped throwing such maniacal fits. Perhaps she'd come to realize that Albert wouldn't stop loving or indulging in her even if he was married.

He would go shopping with Vivienne and tuck her into bed at night, sometimes even guarding her bedside until morning. He was kind and patient with her and loved her so fiercely that he might have forgotten all about his actual wife.

"Albert, you promised you'd go to the amusement park with me after this," Vivienne reminded sweetly, tugging on Albert's sleeve childishly.

Albert gazed down at her, his eyes full of love as he said, "We'll go after this, okay?"

He cut a look at Melanie and looked like he wanted to say something, but Melanie smiled at him warmly. "Go and have fun with Vivienne. Just give me a heads-up if you're coming home for dinner so l can have the maids prepare it."

Vivienne smirked at this. "Thanks again, Ms. Olsen."

Melanie heard the triumph in Vivienne's tone but didn't rise to the bait. She smiled and nodded politely at Vivienne and Albert before heading to her room.

She spent the rest of the day packing up her stuff, and it was already dark outside when she was done.

Albert and Vivienne had yet to return. Melanie took a shower and pulled on her pajamas. She then lay in bed and waited for sleep to come. Just as she was dozing off, she heard the sound of voices outside the door.

"Albert, I'm scared. I don't want to be alone tonight. Can't you sleep with me?" Vivienne pleaded in a high, honeyed voice.

"Vivi, my wife is in the room. It'd be unreasonable of me to spend the night with you and not her," Albert said patiently, though Melanie heard his exasperation.

"Why is it unreasonable? You like me, and I like you. Melanie's just ornamental at this point," Vivienne argued.

Melanie's fingers curled slightly, but she didn't move. She kept her eyes closed and pretended as if she hadn't heard their conversation.

Outside, Albert was silent for a moment before he answered, "Vivi, I can still treat you the same way I've been doing all these years and give you my whole heart, but I'm afraid I can't go beyond that.

"I'm still married, and your reputation will be ruined if anything unsavory happens between us. All you need to know is that I'll always love you."

"In that case, promise me you won't touch her tonight!" Vivienne demanded in an unyielding tone. Albert muttered something in reply, but he spoke too quietly for Melanie to catch his words.

A while later, the bedroom door creaked open.

Albert padded into the room, his gaze landing on the suitcases by the bed. Startled by the sight of them, he asked, 'What's with the suitcases?"

Melanie considered telling him the truth, but she recalled how he'd let her call the shots when she tried to bring up the divorce last night. He had no idea their divorce was being finalized, and she reckoned she wouldn't have to explain anything to him once she relocated to Southaven.

As such, she lied, "Spring cleaning."

Albert bought the lie and nodded without pressing further. He went to the bathroom and took a shower, only to emerge with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets rolled down his sculpted chest and along the deep V-lines running along his hips.

He approached the bed and kissed Melanie, who froze with shock. She instinctively shoved him away, reminding him, "Vivienne doesn't want you touching me, remember?"

He stiffened. "You heard that?"

Melanie nodded.

Albert fell silent and made no reply. Instead, he changed topics and said, "Can I have you tonight?"

Chapter 3

Melanie wanted to turn Albert down at first, but she recalled their deal to carry out all marital obligations when they agreed to the arranged marriage.

Considering the divorce had yet to be finalized, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree to his request. "All right."

Albert leaned down and kissed her. He was rougher than usual tonight, and she couldn't help the moan of protest that escaped her halfway. She gripped the bedsheets tightly.

Seeing that, Albert chuckled lightly as he asked in a low, hoarse voice, "Can't take it, huh? Shall I slow down?"

Melanie closed her eyes and whispered, "Please."

"You got it," Albert replied with mild amusement before kissing her even more deeply.

When Melanie woke up the next morning, she was alone in the room. She got out of bed and washed up. After putting on a change of clothes, she headed downstairs to find that Albert had left without her realizing.

Vivienne was having breakfast alone in the dining room. Melanie approached the table and asked amicably, "Did you sleep well last night? Is the breakfast to your liking?"

Yet, Vivienne ignored Melanie and continued eating. She didn't even bother looking at Melanie, who might as well be invisible at this point.

Sighing, Melanie wondered how Vivienne could be so rude when she grew up with an older brother like Albert, whose manners were impeccable. She dropped all attempts at civil conversation and took her seat at the table to start on her breakfast.

Melanie had taken only a bite of toast when her stomach churned. She shot to her feet and ran into the bathroom, doubling over the sink as she retched. When she straightened up again, she saw Vivienne glowering at her maliciously from the door.

She leveled a sharp, incredulous look at Melanie as she demanded icily, "Are you pregnant?"

Melanie froze. She was about to explain herself when Vivienne broke down and screamed angrily, "I can tolerate your marriage with Albert and the fact that you're sleeping together, but I won't have you carrying his child!"

"Hold her down!" she snapped at the bodyguards by the door before turning to the maids. "And bring me the abortion pills!"

The bodyguards and the maids were stunned. They dared not make any moves and exchanged hesitant looks.

But Vivienne was fuming as she seethed, "Didn't Albert make it clear before he left that all of you are to look after me? Is refusing to do as I say your idea of looking after me?"

The bodyguards and the maids exchanged yet another look, but at last, they decided not to disobey Vivienne. They marched forward and held Melanie still just as she finally snapped to her senses.

"Vivienne, you're mistaken! I'm not pregnant. My stomach was acting up, and I—"

Rage had clouded Vivienne's better judgment. When the maids didn't bring the pills in time, she bolted into the bedroom and took a bottle of abortion pills from the medical kit.

She stormed up to Melanie and barked, "How dare you lie to me? You will not have Albert's kid! I won't let you!"

There was a maniacal edge to Vivienne's tone as she gripped Melanie's chin, forcing the latter's mouth wide open and shoving the pills in.

Melanie shook her head frantically to keep from swallowing the pills, but they slithered down her throat all the same. Within moments, her stomach churned violently, and the sharp pain made her wobble on her feet.

Cold sweat trickled down her forehead as she slowly blacked out. She wanted to cry for help but couldn't find her voice. In the end, she collapsed on the ground and felt her consciousness slip away.

…

When Melanie came to, she was lying in a hospital bed.

As her mind slowly cleared, she heard the doctor point out exasperatedly, "Mr. Palmer, you shouldn't have made Mrs. Palmer swallow those abortion pills when she was never pregnant in the first place.

"You're lucky she was admitted in time to get her stomach pumped, or we might have had to remove half her stomach altogether!"

Chapter 4

Melanie opened her eyes to find that the doctor had left. Albert was frowning as he sat by her bed, regret and guilt filling his eyes.

When he saw her awake, he quickly helped her up and said, "I heard about what happened. I'm sorry. I didn't expect Vivi to do something like this."

There was a sharp, churning sensation in Melanie's stomach, and even talking was difficult for her.

She sighed and said, "Let the police handle this. Vivienne's not a kid anymore and shouldn't be allowed to get away with such extreme, harmful behavior. A few days in a holding cell should set her straight."

She was about to grab her phone and call the police when Albert snatched it away. "No, she didn't mean to hurt you. Let's just call it a day and forget about this, Melanie."

Melanie gaped at Albert in disbelief. When his words sank in, she asked, "Are you saying that I got my stomach pumped for nothing?"

Albert paused, then said, "I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise, but please leave Vivi out of this."

"You realize you're spoiling her, don't you?" Melanie countered.

He shook his head. "If your beloved was still alive, you'd want to protect him at all costs too, wouldn't you?"

Melanie was stumped by his question, and it took her a while to respond. "Fine. I understand where you're coming from, but I won't have this happening again."

Albert still felt uneasy despite Melanie's agreement to overlook Vivienne's behavior.

He stared at her evenly and couldn't resist asking, "Do you still miss him after all this time? It's been years since he passed away."

Melanie had no idea why Albert would ask such a thing all of a sudden. He knew she loved Leon, and in her defense, she'd never stopped him from indulging or loving Vivienne. She might be wrong, but Albert looked a little miffed that she was still hung up on Leon.

She was about to point this out to Albert when his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Vivienne.

After picking up the call, Albert calmed down enough to feel his rage subside. He stood up and resumed his usual, gentle-mannered self.

Yet his voice was tinged with exasperation as he said, "Vivi's throwing another one of her fits. I have to go now, but I'll visit you when I have the time."

Melanie watched him leave and instinctively stopped him. "Vivienne seems to care a lot about whether I might become pregnant. You should tell her she has nothing to worry about because I won't be getting pregnant anytime soon. I've had my tubes tied ever since we got married."

Albert stopped abruptly and turned to give her an incredulous look. "What was that?"

Melanie blinked at him. In the five years they'd been married, they treated each other like acquaintances. She'd hardly seen any emotion on his face before today, and she couldn't help but find his behavior erratic.

She elaborated, "I refuse to have anyone's children but Leon's. I'm sure you can understand."

A stormy look passed over Albert's face, and he seemed to be reining in his temper.

"I'm afraid I don't understand at all, Melanie. Have the procedure reversed right now," he bit out, seemingly leashing his temper as a stormy look flashed in his eyes. Afraid that she might retaliate and refuse to get the surgery, he added for good measure, "It's part of our marital duties."

However, Melanie simply shook her head and said matter-of-factly, "But our divorce is being finalized as we speak. Soon, we won't have any marital duties at all."

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.