Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law
Chapter 314: Drive

Chapter 314: Drive

"Are you sure you want to go?"

Melanie paused mid-step and turned to face Adam, lifting a brow at his ’pouty’ tone. "Yes," she said slowly, dragging the word out with mock patience. "I want to go. You met them, remember? They seem like perfectly normal people is what you said. I think I’d like to get to know them properly."

Adam leaned against the doorframe with folded arms and scowled, "You could’ve said no. Or just met them over lunch. Dinner, even. But no-three days away? A vacation? Without me? I don’t like it."

She smirked and crossed the room toward him, stopping just close enough to tease him but not touch. "Ah, so that’s what this is about."

He didn’t respond and simply glared at her.

Melanie giggled, leaned in, and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips, "You don’t like the idea of me going alone because you’re worried? Is that it?"

Adam’s arms were around her waist before she could finish that question and move away, pulling her flush against him. "Melanie Collins," he murmured near her ear, voice low and deliberate, "I don’t like being away from you. Not for a night. Not even a few hours. You’re mine. How am I supposed to sleep knowing you’re off with some strangers. I don’t like it one bit."

She laughed, as her hands slid up his chest, fingers toying with the little pieces of ’jewellery’ on his chest as she teased," Its just tonight. You’ll be able to join us tomorrow, won’t you?"

Adam shook his head and then nodded and asked hopefully," Why don’t we go tomorrow?" As she glared at him, he raised his hands in mock surrender even as his lips brushed across her cheek,"I’m just saying, we could go together tomorrow. I’ll be fine to drive. I am sure they would not mind.. You wouldn’t have to sleep alone... and neither would I."

Melanie tilted her head, pretending to consider it. "Tempting," she said softly. "But I already promised. It’s just one night without you. Anyway, even if I stay back, you have to attend the overnight camp that the school has organised for Adir. So, we will have to separate. Why not go early then?"

Adam grimaced at that, having no response. If he’d known that Adir’s overnight school camp would end up clashing with Melanie’s plan to meet her biological parents, he never would have promised the kid. And now that she was going, he had no way out. A promise was a promise.

He exhaled heavily and reached for her hand, his thumb brushing lightly across her knuckles. "Still doesn’t mean I have to like it. You’re going ahead without me, and I’m stuck eating bad camp food and pretending to enjoy that."

Melanie laughed. "You’re going to be fine. You love Adir’s little friends."

"I’ll tolerate them," he corrected with a half-hearted glare. "Because they’re not the ones kissing my wife goodbye and driving her off to some mysterious hilltop getaway."

"They’re just my parents, Adam."

"They’re strangers. With better access to you than I’ll have for the next twenty four hours. And I definitely do not like it."

She shook her head, amused, and turned to pick up her bag, ignoring his antics when she was pulled back into his body for a demanding kiss.

And he would have gone on kissing her-completely content to lose track of time-if she hadn’t stepped back with a breathless laugh, gently breaking the kiss. "Adam," she said, trying to compose herself while still smiling, "I really need to go. I have to pick up Melody on the way, remember? It’s a long drive, and we need to reach before it gets dark."

Adam let out an exaggerated sigh, his arms falling to his sides in theatrical defeat. "Fine, fine," he mumbled, pouting like a scolded child. "Just... call me when you get there, okay? No excuses. I want to hear your voice."

Melanie nodded, her expression softening as she reached for the door. "Of course I’ll call you. The moment I reach. I promise."

Adam carried her suitcase to the car with practiced ease and tossed it into the boot shutting it with a soft thunk. Melanie walked beside him, keys in hand, her smile still lingering from their goodbye. He opened the door for her and waited until she was seated, adjusting the seatbelt and fussing with the radio as if delaying the inevitable.

"You’ve packed enough for a week," he muttered, not quite hiding the tinge of jealousy in his tone.

Melanie grinned as she adjusted her sunglasses. "You know I don’t travel light. Besides, most of it’s snacks."

He leaned in and kissed her once more, soft and lingering. Then, with a resigned sigh, he stepped back and shut the door.

She rolled the window down just a little. "I’ll call as soon as we reach, okay?"

"You better," he said, forcing a crooked smile.

She started the engine and gave him a little wave.

Adam stood in the driveway, arms crossed, watching her car pull away until the red tail lights disappeared around the corner. He lifted his hand for one final wave, even though she couldn’t see it anymore. Then, slowly, he turned back toward the house—his smile fading.

There was a tightness in his chest that hadn’t gone away. His instincts were buzzing now, unsettled. He frowned and glanced back at the empty road, his jaw tighten. Something about the whole thing didn’t sit right with him even though he had checked everything related to the place she was going.

***

Meanwhile, Melanie arrived outside Melody’s house, parked by the curb and glanced at her phone to check the time, then leaned back in her seat with a small sigh. Even though she had put up a brave front for Adam, the truth was that she was hesitant about going with these people. But, she reminded herself that it was okay since Adam would be joining them soon.

A few moments later, Melody stepped out, dragging a small suitcase behind her and waving with her free hand. Melanie got out to help her load the luggage.

"Ready?" she asked, popping the trunk.

"Yep," Melody replied brightly. "Thank you so much, Melanie for taking this time out. It means a lot... to all of us."

Melanie nodded, trying to curb her own disturbing thoughts. Somehow, her aversion to Melody Thomas, her sister, had only increased since discovering the truth instead of going down.

They climbed into the car and soon Melanie pulled back onto the road.

Neither of them noticed the black SUV parked a few houses down as they were each lost in their own thoughts. Its headlights remained off, engine humming low. The driver adjusted the rearview mirror, eyes fixed on the taillights of Melanie’s car as it moved further down the road.

And then, slowly, the SUV pulled out and followed.