The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 361 - 368 Melody Yoody’s Heartbreak

Chapter 361: Chapter 368 Melody Yoody’s Heartbreak

"But that day we didn’t actually have sex, so you don’t have to take responsibility for me; you don’t really have to marry me."

James Brown placed his hand on Gina Lopez’s leg and gently rubbed it as he said, "I won’t deny that if that hadn’t happened that day, I wouldn’t still be maintaining this marriage with you."

Gina Lopez’s face suddenly looked quite unpleasant.

"But this is not a problem of feelings between us. I’m just unsure about my own feelings, and then there’s Melody Yoody and Emma Campbell, these are issues I can’t escape. To be your husband, I need to have the mindset of a husband, but indeed it was too rushed; I need some time."

"So what you mean is, you also... liked me before?" Gina Lopez asked nervously, and at this moment, she didn’t resemble a CEO but rather was like a girl fretting over gains and losses.

"Previously, I hadn’t realized. I felt that we were only friends, not truly in love. But after I opened my heart to you yesterday, I began to really like you. This feeling, I didn’t even know when it started, I just never confronted it."

Gina’s heart sweetened, and she grasped James Brown’s hand.

James Brown clasped back Gina Lopez’s hand and said, "So this time that we had sex and truly became husband and wife, I don’t regret it at all. My only feeling is that it was too rushed; I didn’t handle the relationships around me well, and for that, I feel somewhat sorry to you."

Gina Lopez immediately said, "It’s okay, no hurry; I know you are a sentimental person. If you broke up with them immediately for my sake, that would actually be too cruel."

James Brown revealed a bright smile and said, "With your words, I feel relieved."

"But you can’t take too long, I’m your wife now."

"Yes, my dear wife, I’ll handle it well," James Brown said cheerfully, though his heart still had no foundation, and he was also somewhat conflicted. If he wanted to be a truly good husband, it seemed like he should cut off relations with his former women, but he couldn’t bear to part from Emma Campbell, and Melody Yoody, the many years of feelings between them were equally hard to forsake.

"Husband, don’t struggle too much, I was just joking. I won’t pressure you; take your time, I believe in you."

Gina Lopez’s gentle words eased James Brown a little, but he felt even more guilty towards her.

When they reached the company parking lot, Gina Lopez hesitated a bit and then said apologetically to James Brown, "Husband, there’s another matter I want to discuss with you."

"Hmm, is it about not disclosing our relationship publicly at the company?"

"Yes! I’m sorry, I..."

James Brown cut off Gina Lopez’s words and softly said, "I understand; the spouse dynamic might lead employees to have some thoughts. It’s normal not to mention it, rest assured, I won’t hold you back."

Gina Lopez’s grateful lips quivered, and then she leaned forward, kissed James Brown on the cheek, and said, "Husband, thank you."

"Alright, let’s get out of the car; this is the company, would be troublesome if others saw this."

Gina Lopez playfully smiled, saying "Then I’ll head up," before she opened the door and got out of the car. At this moment, Gina truly felt the joy of a newlywed woman, far from her usual authoritative demeanor at the company, her charm utterly captivating.

After Gina Lopez went up, James Brown smoked a cigarette before heading into the company.

After a busy spell, James Brown had nothing more to do, sitting on the office sofa reflecting on the day’s events, feeling it had all been absurd. Emily Lopez, his sister-in-law, was really something; nobody would expect her to do such a thing.

A breeze blew, the crisp sound of wind chimes ringing in his ears, and James Brown turned to look at the wind chimes at the window, reminded again of Sarah Utah. Recently, Sarah Utah had seldom come to see him, knowing he had married Gina Lopez, and the girl had started to keep her distance. But watching the wind chimes, James Brown thought of the needle marks on Sarah’s hand, and couldn’t quite describe his feelings.

But perhaps this was for the better, to prevent Sarah from falling deeper and ending up more hurt; after some time, she might come to accept it.

After lunch, James Brown called Melody Yoody to visit her factory department, and she readily agreed.

James Brown didn’t go alone this time; a few colleagues from the company were with him, as this was official business, naturally not something to do by oneself.

On Melody Yoody’s side, she wasn’t alone either; several local officials were present.

Construction at the factory had already started with Melody Yoody, the Mayor’s, full support; the city also didn’t drag their heels, so the land approval was easily secured, only the relocation compensation was slightly troublesome, but the compensation was sufficiently generous, so it was easily settled as well.

Building the factory was now essentially the job of James Brown and his colleagues; Melody Yoody and her team’s accompaniment was just to emphasize the importance placed on this factory.

It was estimated that the factory would take at least two more months before production could commence. After inspecting the progress, James Brown and his team prepared to leave.

Melody Yoody smiled at James Brown and said, "Old classmate, now that official business is done, let’s handle some personal matter this afternoon, is that okay?"

James Brown smiled and said, "No problem."

The two of them were so open and straightforward, and nobody else thought much of it since they both were old classmates anyway. Then, Melody Yoody got into James Brown’s car.

"James, accompany me to the orphanage today."

James Brown didn’t expect Melody Yoody to make such a request and, puzzled, said, "Why go there?"

"The children at the orphanage are quite pitiful, and I visit them occasionally."

James Brown truly had never engaged in such charitable acts and said, "Well, okay, I’ll go and see."

There’s only one orphanage in YODC City, located in the city center, and James Brown and Melody Yoody soon arrived there.

There were many children in the orphanage, mostly abandoned, and some with physical illnesses. Melody Yoody played games with the kids, told stories, and even donated some money, showing a maternal tenderness unlike her usual fierce efficiency.

When the two of them came out, James Brown couldn’t help but say with a smile, "If you ever have children, you’d definitely make a good mother."

Melody Yoody looked into James Brown’s eyes and said, "Why don’t we have one then?"

"This... ahem... Melody..." James Brown coughed twice, not knowing how to respond to her suggestion.

Melody Yoody frowned slightly and asked, "Don’t you like kids?"

"It’s not that I don’t like children, it’s just..."

"Just what?" Melody Yoody stared into James Brown’s eyes.

James Brown smiled awkwardly, sighed, and finally said, "I’ve already registered for marriage with Gina..."

Melody Yoody’s face turned instantly pale; she bit her lip hard, draining it of any color.

"Melody... I’m sorry!" Seeing Melody Yoody like this, James Brown felt terribly heartbroken. This stubborn girl had been with him since high school, never looking down on him, waiting for him all these years. Yet he hadn’t married her, which filled him with immense guilt.

He wanted to say something comforting to Melody Yoody, but couldn’t find the right words, and finally could only utter "I’m sorry," the most melodramatic of words.

Melody Yoody closed her eyes briefly, her lips trembling slightly, and then finally stopped biting her lip harshly. She suddenly revealed a radiant smile and said, "Then I should bless you."

James Brown knew Melody Yoody too well. Her acting this way meant she was deeply hurt. But what could he do now? Divorce Gina to be with Melody Yoody? That would hurt Gina. In the end, he could only sigh and say, "Thank you."

Melody Yoody flipped her head, punched James Brown in the chest and angrily said, "You jerk, you got married and didn’t even tell me sooner, you’re really not a good friend. When are you planning the wedding? I need to notify our classmates so we can properly make a scene at your wedding."

James Brown felt even more pained but could only say, "Let’s talk about it later."

"You’ve got the certificate, you should have the wedding soon, right? A wedding is something girls look forward to all their lives, how can you be so nonchalant about it...ugh..." While smiling, Melody Yoody suddenly retched, bending over and holding her stomach.

James Brown, feeling guilty, quickly supported Melody Yoody and asked, "What’s with the vomiting again, didn’t you have a check-up yesterday?"

Melody Yoody crouched on the ground, retching multiple times and vomiting some acid, then slowly stood up, waving her hand, "It’s nothing, just... stomach’s a bit upset, ugh..." She began to retch again.

James Brown carefully patted Melody Yoody’s back, saying, "Stomach upset, have you taken any medicine? You can’t go on vomiting like this."

Melody Yoody finally eased up a bit, and while James Brown was holding her, he asked, "Is it the wrong medicine? Should I take you to the hospital again?"

"No need!" Melody Yoody suddenly brushed off James Brown’s hand and yelled, "What does it have to do with you? You’re someone else’s husband now, why care about me? I’ll do whatever I want, you don’t need to worry."

After saying that, she ran to the roadside, stopped a taxi, and got in.

James Brown could easily catch up with Melody Yoody, but he knew very well that she definitely couldn’t accept the fact of his marriage. How could her heart be at ease? Even if he chased her now, it would only make Melody Yoody feel worse. It was better to let her cool down first, then talk to her properly later.