Melissa met his gaze without faltering.
After a moment, Weldonâs voice, rough with emotion, broke the silence.
âYou bear such a striking resemblance to your mother⦠Please, take a seat.
â
As Melissa seated herself across from him, Weldon lapsed into memories of her mother, recalling
their first meeting with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with his usual demeanor.
âWhen I first encountered her, she seemed like a gentle force, unexpectedly entering my life.
You remind me of her, eliciting a similar sense of empathy.
â
Perhaps the combination of his authoritative position and vast influence lent a tone of regret to his reflections on past romances.
However, for Melissa, these musings rang with unmistakable irony.
Melissa held back her emotions.
âYet, you deceived her.
You led her to believe you were unmarried, without a wife waiting at home.
So, at just 20, she chose to follow you, a man on the verge of 40.
â
Weldon let out a soft sigh.
âI did love her, truly.
â
Melissaâs response was edged with scorn.
âYour so-called love was nothing but a profound mistake.
Perhaps there was love at the start.
However, when she became pregnant with your child, when she became a threat to your family, you discarded her like something worthless.
Are you aware of the hardships she faced giving birth alone? Can you even imagine the pain she endured afterward, or the struggle of the child she raised on her own? You know nothing.
You remain oblivious, wallowing in self-pity only when it suits you.
â
Her voice faltered slightly.
âHad I been given the chance for a normal family, Marcus and I wouldnât have had to break up in the first place.
And now, you presume to act as a concerned father?
Donât you find pointless?â
Weldon asked quietly, âDo you hate me?â
âI donât,â Melissa replied, her voice steady.
âItâs my mother who had every reason to.
You betrayed her trust, and she carried that betrayal to her grave.
Now, with no ties binding us, I wish for no further contact.
I refuse to bear the Smith name.
â
Weldonâs laughter broke the heavy silence.
He regarded Melissa intently.
âYou still lack understanding.
Whether itâs marrying into the Scott or the Fowler family, do you really believe you can secure such a match without significant support?â
Melissa realized their worlds were irreconcilably different and there was nothing more to talk about.
Rising to her feet, she stated plainly, âSuch aspirations hold no appeal for me.
A home, a place to rest, a simple meal⦠A simple life is all I seek.
â
With those final words, she departed, leaving the conversation behind.
They spoke no further of her mother.
As Melissa reached for the door, Weldon called out with a heavy tone, âYouâll come to regret this.
Melissa, Iâm sincere in wanting to make amends.
Just call me Dad and everything will be alright.
â
Melissa halted, her voice barely above a whisper.
âI⦠donât have a father.
â With those words, she exited.
Behind her, the sound of teacups shattering echoed, a testament to the conversationâs impact.