Ex husband's Plea for Forgiveness

Melinda took a breath of fresh air. 'Peace and quiet at last.'

She lifted the hem of her dress as she cautiously sat down on a sofa in the patio. This dress was rented, after all, so she had to be careful to return it in pristine condition.

She was alone out here, but still had a good view of the banquet hall and the dance floor. A lot of young couples were twirling around, her sister-in-law included.

Yulia was obviously in her element, lost in the dance and the crowd. People were even starting to notice her, finally.

Melinda wasn’t at all surprised. Yulia had always been a party girl.

Once the song ended, however, her dance partner only thanked her and then walked away. No one else approached her after that.

Yulia was feeling indignant. In her eyes, this was all Melinda’s fault. The men’s mortifying lack of interest in her was all because of her brother’s wife.

She looked around for her nemesis and finally found her sitting alone on the patio, casually watching the other guests. Yulia strode over to the banquet table and grabbed two glasses of wine, and then stomped over to where her sister-in-law was.

As she neared, she became aware just how Melinda’s radiance seemed to occupy the little space. It only pissed her further.

"Melinda," she spat out as soon as she stepped out into the patio. "What are you doing here by yourself?"

Without waiting for an invitation, Yulia sat herself down on a nearby chair, making a point of sitting as far away as the other woman as possible. In truth, Yulia’s feet had been killing her all night.

She had decided to wear stilettos in an attempt to look taller than she actually was, hoping that her added height would gain people’s attention. She was regretting her choice of footwear now, not that she would ever admit it.

"It’s quieter here," Melinda answered. She wasn’t expecting Yulia to find her so soon, much less come and sit with her.

Still holding the glasses of wine, Yulia handed one towards Melinda. The latter took on a wary expression, and did not take the drink.

Melinda was not stupid. In light of recent events, she had grown vigilant of her sister-in-law. There was no way she would ever consume something that had passed through Yulia’s hands.

As if she read her mind, Yulia gave her a reassuring smile. Melinda’s guard only rose even more.

"I wanted to propose a toast to you, for a pulling of a successful social appearance." When Melinda only looked at her, Yulia’s tone grew stern, although the smile was still in place. "Don’t make me lose face, Melinda. A lot of people are watching."

Melinda looked around and found Yulia’s words to be false. There were few people around them, even fewer watching them.

Yulia was a little embarrassed by her movements, but she did not budge. Melinda flashed a regal smile and said, "You know I’m not a drinker." She had already drunk a glass of champagne earlier, and had no plans to take any more alcohol tonight.

Still, Yulia’s outstretched hand did not waver, and Melinda narrowed her eyes at the younger woman. The proper response would have been to not insist on making the other person drink, yet Yulia was still pushing.

fact, Yulia wanted to get Melinda drunk. She expected the latter to make a

You have nothing to worry about. This wine doesn’t even have much alcohol content." The two women were still smiling at each other, but the looks they were exchanging

in the future. Don’t you think you should get used to getting a

had a point, of course. But she was quite certain she wouldn’t be attending any social engagement in the future. Queena obviously wouldn’t want that,

in a stalemate when a male voice broke in. "Let me drink that

suit, and his hair was mussed in a way

held an inviting look as his sensuous lips curved into a

she could feel an intense blush creeping into her face. That was, until she realized the man

to pull Melinda back to her senses, and she stammered a vague response.

this development in anger.

cared about appearances, but acknowledging that would be an admission

only paid attention to a person who was extremely attractive, or extremely hideous. Since she was neither, and only teetered somewhere in

her jealousy, Yulia ignored the man, rose from her seat, and thrust the wineglass in front of Melinda’s face. "This is

interjected, stepping in between them and effectively blocking Yulia. "Drinking at events is not something that

I’ve seen her refuse it. Still you insisted, and so I stepped in to

yet again on forcing her to take it against

beg your pardon!" Yulia was furious. How dare this man mock her? And

people’s preconceived notions about her. Despite her efforts, she found out the hard way that in the eyes of the truly rich, she would always be a bastard child born from a woman of lowly background. And now some stranger just waltzed up and taunted her, poking fun at where it hurt the most. She was angry and humiliated beyond words. She narrowed her eyes at the man, her hand trembling with emotion. "You..." Before she could say any further, however, she

wine tottered in her grip, the liquid splashing loudly on

jacket, making a dark stain. He

and it

up like this?' Realizing what the man was doing, she quickly put down the

balance. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Let

she could even touch his jacket, the man sidestepped to avoid her, and shot her a look of disdain. "I don’t think I need any help from you," he said coldly.

settle the matter amicably. "Sir, we do apologize. I assure you, it wasn’t on purpose

unmistakable fury. Melinda could only stare back at her in embarrassment. She couldn’t believe Yulia just

man, on the other hand, frowned even deeper, and looked back and forth between

see now that they seemed to be dressed similarly, but while one looked like a regal socialite, the other

to him. "As I was saying, let me help you

were watching them shamelessly. Perhaps it was because of

undeniably attractive. Either way, Yulia knew she was

like I said," the man said coldly, "there’s no need for your assistance at all. Since this beautiful lady was so kind to apologize on your behalf, even though her efforts are obviously unappreciated, I’ll let this matter

learn social etiquette. It would most certainly be of use to you." Then he smiled at her, but Yulia recognized his sarcasm

was ungrateful, he also emphasized how she was out of place at such