Chapter 9 Second Thoughts
It was the first time Chandler met Ryan, but his instincts told him this was
someone to keep an eye on.
“Who is he? Where are you going with him?” Chandler demanded, yanking Ginny toward him with a possessive grip. Ryan reacted instantly, his hand reaching out to pull her back.
But Ginny pushed him away.
Ryan had always known where her heart lay. But after everything that had happened these past few days, he didn’t expect her to still throw herself into Chandler’s arms so decisively.
His fingers curled slightly at his sides.
Ginny wasn’t thinking that far ahead. She just noticed the storm in Chandler’s eyes and didn’t want Ryan to get caught up in
“He’s Ryan,” she said. “My best friend from the orphanage. I’ve always thought of him as my older brother.”
Older brother?
Chandler narrowed his eyes. He was pretty sure Ryan had never wanted to be taken as Ginny’s brother.
“Oops… I must’ve misunderstood them last time,” Melody spoke up with forced lightness.
She had thought Ginny was just using Chandler’s refusal to divorce as an excuse. But now, seeing the clear jealousy and caution in Chandler’s expression, she couldn’t deny it anymore. Still, the realization came with a prickle of unease.
LE
She hurried over, trying to defuse the situation. “Ginny, even if you two are like siblings, you’re not related by blood. It’s still important to be mindful of appearances.”
Ginny frowned, but before she could speak, Ryan sneered, “We’re not like some people who knowingly get involved with a married man and destroy someone else’s marriage.”
“You-” Melody wasn’t expecting such a sharp tongue. She shrank closer to Chandler, hoping for support.
Chandler turned a scowl on Ryan, clearly about to say something, but Ginny stepped in before he could.
“Melody,” she said calmly. “It was wrong of me to slap you earlier. I’m sorry.”
She then turned back to Chandler. “Can I
go now?”
She usually looked at him with soft, affectionate eyes. Never like this-so
cold, so distant. The shift made Chandler
uncomfortable.
He opened his mouth, wanting to voice
his displeasure, but his phone rang.
He answered, spoke quietly for a moment, then hung up and walked back to Ginny.
“There’s an urgent matter at work. I have to go,” he said, his voice clipped. “If you’re not feeling well, go home and rest early.”
Maybe it was the call. Maybe it was seeing her next to Ryan. Whatever the reason, Chandler left without saying a word to Melody. Didn’t even glance at her.
Melody stood frozen, hands clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She didn’t notice the pain.
Outside, Chandler’s driver was already waiting. As soon as he approached, the
driver opened the car door.
Chandler got in, stiff and silent. When he turned his head, he spotted a bag on the seat beside him.
Ginny’s.
He remembered her holding it when he pulled her into the car earlier.
He reached over to grab it, moving faster than he meant to. A document slipped out and landed at his feet.
As he bent down to pick it up, the bold title caught his eye: Psychological Evaluation Report.
Whose?
Curiosity piqued, he flipped it open and scanned a few pages. The further he read, the tighter his face became.
She’d been seeing a psychologist— just recently. Was it because of the miscarriage?
He knew she’d taken it hard. Knew it had
broken something in her.
But he hadn’t realized just how deep the wound went. Not enough to push her to therapy.
Chandler clenched the report in his hand, his brows furrowing as he sank deeper into thought.
Chapter 9 Second Thoughts
“Sir, we’ve arrived.” The driver’s voice snapped him out of it.
+8 Bonus
Chandler opened the door, hesitated, then sat back down. He tucked the report back into the bag and handed it over.
“Deliver this to Ginny,” he instructed.
Meanwhile, Ryan had taken Ginny to the outpatient clinic. After borrowing a thermometer from a nurse, they confirmed it was only a mild fever. He went to the pharmacy to pick up some medicine.
When they walked out of the clinic, he noticed how pale she looked.
“Wanna take a walk in the park?” he
suggested.
“You’re not busy today?” she asked, surprised.
She remembered a time when he barely slept, let alone had time for leisure. Quiet days like this had been rare-years ago, maybe.
For people like them-no background, no connections-it took ten times the effort just to stand firm in a city, in an industry. And Ryan had always been a workaholic.
“I just wrapped up a project,” he replied lightly. “Got a few days to breathe.”
Then he looked at her, serious.
“Are you having second thoughts about
the divorce?”
Chapter 10 Melody This, Melody That
“If you’re having second thoughts about the divorce, just tell me,” Ryan said quietly. “I can talk to Chandler. I’ll ask him to stay away from Melody.”
Ginny caught the misunderstanding in his tone and quickly cleared it up. “I’m not having second thoughts.”
A faint, almost mocking smile curved her lips. “And this time, I won’t let anyone hurt me again.
“I already gave up one chance to study abroad for the sake of this marriage. If I can get another shot, I won’t let it go again. You’re right. No matter how hard I
