Chapter 45
At that moment, upon hearing what Cora just said, Melissa’s mouth dropped slightly. She blinked once, then twice, clearly not prepared for that kind of question. Her entire expression shifted—from casual interest to defensive disbelief. She quickly crossed her arms and tilted her head as if offended.
"Wait, what? Why would you say that?" Melissa scoffed, though her voice came out a little too fast. "Cora, seriously? Why would I have something on Oliver? I mean... we’ve only met like three times. Three! What makes you think I’d feel anything?"
Cora raised an eyebrow, lips curving into a slow, knowing smile. "Uh-huh," she murmured, nodding slowly. "Sure. Three times. But funny how you remember the exact number."
Melissa’s jaw clenched slightly. "Well, I’m just saying... it’s not like we’re close or anything. I don’t know him that well."
"Exactly," Cora said with a teasing tone. "Which is why it’s so cute watching you try to convince yourself."
"Convince myself?" Melissa repeated, voice rising an octave. "Cora, please."
But it was too late. Cora could already see through the cracks. Melissa was squirming—not in anger, but in discomfort, the kind that came when someone’s hidden feelings were being gently pulled to the surface. And Cora knew her friend too well. She had seen this behavior before—this specific brand of denial. When Melissa cared, when she felt drawn to someone but didn’t want to admit it just yet, she reacted exactly like this. She over-defended. She denied too much. She made a performance out of it.
Cora leaned back on the nearby pillar, arms crossed, and looked at her like an older sister watching a younger one fall into the same puddle of feelings she once did.
"I didn’t accuse you of anything, you know," Cora said, her voice softer now, more sincere. "I just asked a question. You could’ve simply said no. But now..." she chuckled lightly, "You’ve said more than enough."