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.

wanted to get Melinda drunk. She expected the

have nothing to worry about. This wine doesn’t even have much alcohol content." The two women

that you’ll be attending such occasions in the future. Don’t

Yulia 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, and she highly doubted Jonas would

more suspicious. Melinda would never take that drink. They kept staring at each other in a stalemate when a male voice broke in. "Let me drink that in her place." The two women turned to look at the man, who was gazing intently at Melinda. "It would be

way that seemed careless, but was far too complementary to his looks to be anything

a magnetic energy surrounding him, and his eyes held

an intense blush creeping into her face. That was, until she realized the man was turning on his charm for Melinda, who for her part was

His question seemed to pull Melinda back to her senses, and she

anger. ‘Why? Why is it always

people only cared about appearances, but acknowledging that would be an

or extremely hideous. Since she was neither, and only teetered somewhere in between, all the attention she

wineglass in

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

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

it against her wishes. Let me ask you, Miss, were

furious. How dare this man mock her? And with such

her background, she always had been. She knew she was greatly lacking in etiquette, and she had worked hard to remedy that, and to remedy other 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,

liquid splashing loudly on the man’s

only frowned as the wine slowly leeched into his jacket, making a dark stain. He calmly took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the

and it looked to be rather

mortified. 'How did things end up like this?' Realizing what the man was

lost my balance. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Let me help you with

and shot her a look of disdain. "I don’t think I need any help from you," he said coldly. Melinda finally came to her senses. The development of the events was much

now rose from the sofa, and tried to step between the man and Yulia, hoping to settle the matter amicably.

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

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

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

"As I was saying, let me help you with the

gathered nearby, and people were watching them

attractive. Either way, Yulia knew she was looking extremely bad in all this, and she scrambled to save

no need for your assistance at all. Since this beautiful lady was so kind to apologize on your behalf,

most certainly be of use to you." Then he smiled at her, but Yulia recognized his

emphasized how she was