Chapter 426: Pregnancy
"How can there not be a hurry? You are already pregnant. Why do you think you still have the luxury to wait? Do you intend to have the child out of wedlock. I know all that is modern stuff, but since you are already in a relationship, getting married is the next step. Why wait?"
Marianne’s gaze flicked to Adam as she said the words and her satisfaction bloomed. His expression was priceless- eyes wide in shock, jaw tense in disbelief. The usually controlled and unreadable man was momentarily stripped bare, his reaction proving what Marianne had suspected just now. He did not know.
Oh, how delightful.
Marianne’s smile softened, as though she were merely a concerned elder scolding a foolish child. "Melody, really," she murmured, shaking her head again, "such things cannot be hidden for long. If Cadence intends to marry you, then the matter should be settled before questions start to rise."
She allowed the silence to stretch, savoring it. Around the table, no one moved. Cadence’s expression darkened, his hands curling into fists beneath the tablecloth. Melanie sat frozen, staring down, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes. And Adam- Adam was still staring at her, his shock barely concealed, as if he were trying to piece together a truth he had never imagined.
"Adam. You tell me, am I not right? Since Melody is pregnant, they should tie the knot sooner rather than later, don’t you think so?"
Marianne watched as Adam stiffened. He gulped and turned to stare at Melanie, his eyes fixed on her as he asked slowly, "You’re pregnant?"
Marianne laughed then, shaking her head. "Ah, I forgot you didn’t know! Of course you wouldn’t. You weren’t at home when Melody had her first bout of morning sickness. You should have seen her face... in fact, you look almost as pale as she did when I asked her the same question."
She was about to say more when Adam suddenly pushed back his chair and stood up with a jerk. "I just realized I have somewhere to be. Please excuse me."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out, leaving the room in silence.
Marianne only shrugged, as if Adam’s abrupt reaction had not unsettled her in the least. She turned her attention back to the woman’s pale face and felt a fresh jolt of satisfaction. Did they really believe they could deceive her? Did they truly think they could scheme behind her back and beat her at her own game? They had no idea. She had been playing these games long before either of them was even born.
From that moment on, Marianne made it her purpose to keep Melanie at the table. She watched every move carefully, waiting for the slightest hint that Melanie wanted to leave. And each time it came, each time Melanie opened her mouth with some excuse- whether it was a headache, or that she had to check on something, or even that she had other matters to attend to-Marianne countered it effortlessly.
Melanie’s frustration showed, though she tried to hide it behind a polite smile. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, pushing the food around her plate more than eating it. Marianne noticed it all, and it only added to her quiet triumph. She would not let the woman slip away so easily.
It was only after dessert had been served and finished that Marianne finally leaned back, her lips curving with satisfaction. She had achieved exactly what she wanted. At last, Melanie excused herself, her voice soft, almost pleading, claiming she was tired and needed rest. This time Marianne did not stop her. She merely nodded with a knowing smile and watched as Melanie rose and left the room.
Out in the corridor, Melanie ran a shaky hand through her hair, her steps quick and uneven as she hurried toward Adam’s room. Her chest felt tight with panic, her mind racing. Damn it. She had planned this moment carefully after yesterday.
Tonight was supposed to be the night she told him. She had rehearsed the words in her mind over and over, had imagined how he would react. But now all of it was ruined. Marianne had ripped the truth from her lips and thrown it into the open as if she were trying to purposely hide things from Adam.
Melanie’s throat ached as she walked faster, her thoughts in turmoil. She had wanted to give him the news herself, in her own way, at her own time. She had wanted him to hear it from her—not like this, not through Marianne’s poisonous tongue.
And worst of all, she had seen the look on his face when he heard the words. Shock. Disbelief.
As she opened the door to his room, she even forgot to be careful about any servant spotting her. They could talk all they wanted. Like hell, she was going to let things ruin now. She watched as he stood with his back towards the door, facing the balcony outside.
He knew she had entered the room, but he did not turn to face her. His silence was heavy, his back rigid, but Melanie did not let that stop her. Without hesitation, she crossed the space between them and slipped her arms around his waist.
"Adam."
She pressed her forehead against his back, between his shoulders, feeling the tension in his body as he stiffened even more at her touch. Her voice dropped to a small, trembling whisper as she called again, "Adam."
His hands came on top of hers and she rubbed her cheek against his back as he asked her," Is it true? Are you pregnany, Melon?"
Melanie nodded against his back, trying to hide her happiness. She was about to tell him to turn around so that she could look at his own happiness but just then, he pulled her hands away and whipped around to face her. His expression shocked her...Adam showed not an ounce of happiness. If anything his face was a mask of fury...