Chapter 308: That Girl
Marianne returned to the dining room with a warm smile and a tray in hand. The aroma of freshly baked garlic bread mingled with the lingering scent of the soup, filling the space with a comforting familiarity. She placed the basket on the table and straightened, brushing her hands on her apron.
"So," she asked, a hopeful glint in her eyes, "did your beau apologise?"
Melody blinked, startled by the question. Then, shaking her head slowly, she gave her mother a confused look, her hands clenched under the table. "That was Collins..."
Marianne paused mid-motion, frowning. "Collins? Who is that? I thought I saw Adam’s name flashing on the screen."
Melody hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking her head. " It was. Collins. Mr Collins. Melanie’s husband."
The effect was immediate. Marianne’s expression shifted from mild confusion to complete astonishment, her brows shooting up before her whole face lit up with delight, completely distracting her from Adam’s matter to Melanie’s.
"Her husband? I had read about her being married!" she gasped, sliding into her seat. "Was he the one you were planning to talk to? Did you talk to him? What did he say? Is she willing to talk to us and meet us? Tell me, tell me—is it good news?"
Melody drew in a breath and leaned back slightly, her shoulders tense beneath her blouse. The excitement in her mother’s voice was hard to match and Melody felt even more tensed. If she told her mother about his request, she knew they would not hesitate. And she might have no way out...
"Yes, I talked to him," she said carefully, picking up a slice of garlic bread though she didn’t bite into it. "And... I don’t know yet if he has spoken to Melanie or not.. He said he wants to meet you and Dad first. Before Melanie does."