The Italian's proposal

Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Melody

Devina was smiling and Melody couldn’t believe that, in her hands, was a check for that amount of money.

“Take it,” she told her holding her hands out to her.

“No...I...”

“Don’t say no. No person should be forced into marriage,” her logic was impossible to dispute. But, still, she couldn’t accept that much from a stranger, no matter how much her heart screamed at her that she could trust her.

“You’re right. But I don’t know you. Neither do you know me,” she handed the check back to her and stepped back, “I think we should save lunch for later. I’m exhausted.”

“Melody,” Devina couldn’t believe it, nor could she.

“I just can’t. I really, really don’t know how much I appreciate it. I have no idea how much money you have, nor do I care to know how you got it. That’s not my problem. But you can’t go giving three million dollars to someone you don’t know,” she sat up in bed, she was dizzy, and her head was starting to pound.

“I’m giving you the money you need to get the hell out. To be free,” she followed her steps and sat down next to her. “Look honey, no one should have to suffer and pay for something they didn’t do. The guilty ones, the ones who do harm, those should have a hard time, they should rot in jail. I’m sure you’ve been trying to make Timothy understand that you didn’t do anything, or am I wrong?”

Melody squeezed her temples. She was right. But it was still too much money.

“It’s a lot of money,” she mumbled in annoyance. “It’s too much. I wouldn’t even know how to begin to repay you.” She couldn’t believe she was even considering it. But taking that money was a better alternative than....

She looked at Devina who was watching her determined that she would accept the money.

Would it be possible?

“He sent you,” she told her finally realizing it.

“What?” the redhead stood up from the bed as if it had thorns everywhere.

“You heard me. He sent you, didn’t he? Let’s see if I’m dumb enough to take the money. You want to see if I’ll take off with the money?” she also got out of bed and without thinking she slapped Devina across the cheek.

She almost fell for it, what a fool she had been! She almost had trusted Devina, without knowing her.

“You’re crazy! Insane!” she said, putting her hand on the area that was beginning to redden. “I only came to help you, because I don’t think you stole from Timothy, I’m just trying to help!”

“Crazy? You think I’m crazy? Come near me again and I’ll gouge your fucking eyes out with a fork,” the threat was harsher than she would have believed.

“No one sent me,” Devina told her with flashing green eyes.

“I’m not as stupid as Timothy thinks I am. I’d appreciate it if you’d close the door on your way out.”

She grabbed her side purse that sat on top of the nightstand, the cell phone Timothy had given her earlier that morning, assuring her that he wanted her available at any time of day. She resented the situation as no one could imagine, but it was what she had been dealt.

Or so she thought.

passing Devina’s side. She prayed to God she hadn’t made a mistake with the redhead, but she would never trust anyone lightly again.

out to her at any

the elevator button, determined to get out

couldn’t stay there for another

was a thief, well, let him think so

leave. Even if she had to borrow from her parents, beg them to listen to her, she

her start to

was ridiculous to consider going to beg her parents, those who had

the only

you’re going?” said Timothy as the elevator doors opened and he saw her

him, catching him off guard, and stepped into the elevator. “Tell your sister-in-law she can stick her check where

gave way to anger, he turned his face in the direction of the room

She was already gone.

****

Manhattan, an ice cream, and a pack of popcorn in her stomach,

front

take the steps now

would he say? What would she say to make

was cold to death. And the decision of eating the ice cream didn’t help her at all.

running

Redford. What are you supposed to wait in there?” Lydia Redford opened the door

as she ran

a second, for a thousandth of a second, she wanted refuge in familiar

her arms around her and squeezed her tight. Melody calmed down after a few minutes. “Come on inside Mel.

the other’s back. Melody had missed her mother so much that, in her grief at not receiving her support, she hadn’t realized

her mother hurried out of the living room and Melody sat in

feel like a stranger in her parents’

how skinny you are!” her mother let a tear fall as she stroked her head, just like she used to do when Melody was a little girl.

house anymore. She was going to get

a

her in a Mexican serenade voice, that she had nowhere else to

and poured the cup of hot chocolate, with a little

she was being

a week since you got the hell out of here. Not ten years,” there

like her head was going to explode and her chest couldn’t take any

she saw something different in him, a willingness to help a stranger without asking for anything in return, a genuine and sincere look. He condemned lies and

flooded through the house, grabbing the attention of mother and

startled by the imperious, frightened tone her father had

followed in

you all right, Charles?” she

newspaper in his hand, holding it as if this one had the news of the

was there, at least not when she could tell he was so angry. She who

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