A Toast To A Love That Never Was Chapter 09
“Gone? Where did she go?” Upon hearing those words, the worry froze on Harry’s face as he stood rooted to the spot. The same shock was written clearly across the others‘ faces..
None of them had ever considered the possibility that Melanie might leave.
Over the years, they had watched Dustin ride out highs and lows after that accident. They had seen people come and go from his side. Even they, when faced with Dustin’s unpredictable temperament back then, hadn’t dared to stay with him all the way through.
From the beginning to the end, only Malanie had stayed by his side. She came to him when he was at his lowest, being incredibly patient and tolerant with him. She endured all his anger and abuse, and never once thought of leaving.
So, why did she suddenly leave now?
At that moment, his phone rang again. Almost immediately, Dustin answered the phone. “Mel?
Where are you…”
But before he could finish, Jane’s voice came through on the other end. “Dustin, I twisted my ankle. Can you take me to the hospital?”
In the past, Dustin would have rushed to her side without any hesitation. But after being shaken by Melanie’s sudden disappearance, he refused without thinking. “I’m busy right now. Find someone else.”
Even Harry and the others looked at him in surprise when Dustin said that. But they were secretly pleased to see him distance himself from Jane.
Jane hadn’t expected such a blunt rejection. Her expression went dark, but she forced herself to appear considerate as she said in a disappointed tone, “Alright. Did something happen to Ms.
Wright? Is that why you left in such a hurry just now?”
Only then did Dustin recall that he might have pushed something over in his haste earlier. After a moment of hesitation, he finally said, “Wait. I’ll come over right now.”
Hanging up, he turned and headed back toward the banquet hall, leaving the others staring at each other in confusion.
At the hospital, the doctor handed the report to Dustin after reading it. “It’s just a mild sprain.
Apply some ointment and rest for a few days.”
Dustin was finally relieved when he knew that Jane was fine.
Just as he was about to take Jane home, a familiar silhouette suddenly flashed across his line of sight.
“Mel!” His expression changed at once. Forgetting that Jane was beside him, he rushed forward and grabbed the figure tightly, as though he was afraid that she might slip away again.
But when he turned her around, the face that looked back at him was one of a stranger’s.
The woman’s wrist hurt after being jerked back suddenly. She hissed under her breath and asked with a sour expression, “Who the hell are you?”
“Sorry, I got the wrong person.” Dustin let go awkwardly, muttering the apology in a daze. As he watched her walk away, he stood rooted to the spot.
It wasn’t her. Could Melanie really have left?
“Dustin, what’s wrong?” Jane limped over, forcing herself to smile and hide her irritation. Seeing him still staring blankly in the direction that the stranger had gone, she couldn’t stop herself from asking that question.
Dustin shook his head and helped her back to the ward. Only after settling her down did he step out and call his assistant. “Find out where Melanie went.”
That night, at Miriam’s request, Dustin returned to the Hart residence.
As he considered how to explain Melanie’s departure, Miriam seemed unsurprised that he had come back alone. She smiled brightly and pulled him inside. “Perfect timing. Martha just finished cooking. It’s your birthday today, so she made all your favorites. Come, have a taste.”
Seated at the dining table, he looked up and was startled to see a stranger sitting across from him. He felt a strange unease as he turned toward Miriam and asked calmly, “Who’s this?”
“This is Harvey Scott’s daughter, Olivia Scott,” Miriam explained. Her gaze was warm with amusement as she turned to Olivia and even placed some food on her plate. “And this is my son, Dustin.”
