Melissa protested as he pinned her against the door with ease.
Marcusâ expression turned somber.
He gently grasped her chin, murmuring, âYou talk about Matthewâs vulnerability.
How could you subject him to the stigma of a single-parent upbringing then?â
Melissaâs chest rose with suppressed emotion.
Meeting Marcusâ gaze, she was certain he was seeking confrontation.
Her tone cold, Melissa countered, âIs that really my choice to make, Marcus? Have you considered my perspective? If you didnât just the Summit Ltd.
case from me, we might still work things out.
But whatâs left for me afterward? Should I become a conniving villain, abandoning Mr.
Waston in his time of need? Oh, yeah.
You did give me one more option.
I quit my career, marry you and be your silent
partner, existing solely at your whim behind closed doors.
You just wanted a docile housewife, didnât you?â
With Matthew nearby, Melissa lowered her voice, admitting, âRegrettably, Marcus, neither option appeals to me.
â
Marcusâ demeanor grew colder.
Gradually releasing her, he stepped back.
Sporting a slight smirk, he mockingly bids, âGoodnight, Miss Brown.
â
Melissa hoped for a constructive conversation.
Although they were no longer together, they still had Matthew to consider.
They should, at the very least, maintain civility for the childâs sake.
Upon seeing Melissa, Marcusâ tone turned sharp, leaving her unable to express herself freely.
Feeling embarrassed and unable to speak her mind, Melissa opened the car door, got in, and drove away.
Marcus stood stoically in place.
Olivia rushed over from a distance, breathless.
âMarcus, Melissa left the gifts behind.
â
Oliviaâs voice grew weaker as Marcus remained impassive.
Predictably, Marcus responded coldly, âShe didnât want them.
â
Olivia frowned.
âBecause Violetteâs mother embarrassed Melissa.
Marcus, you donât even like Violette.
Why use her to antagonize Melissa? What if you canât win Melissa back?â
Disregarding Olivia, Marcus walked away.
âWho said Iâm trying to win her back?â
Olivia grimaced as Marcus departed.
âStubborn.
â
Frustrated, Marcus headed straight upstairs upon his return to the hall.
Observing his mood, Luna subtly indicated to Violette to go upstairs and keep Marcus company.
Violette blushed, her heart racing, but she hesitated to follow.
Feeling uncomfortable with the tension in the air, Rena tactfully suggested that the Finch family depart.
Following her suggestion, the Finch family then left.