No Second Baby No You Only Divorce (Scarlett and Vincent) novel Chapter 538

Damian leaned in slightly closer to Melinda, his eyes locked onto hers like he was trying to catch even the smallest flicker of emotion.

"So back then," he asked, his voice low, "when you saved me, why did you use her name?"

As he spoke, his gaze stayed fixed on her face, sharp and unrelenting, like he was trying to see straight through her.

Under that intense pressure, Melinda couldn't help but flinch.

She knew she couldn't tell him the truth.

Back when she'd pulled him from that river, she'd been terrified of getting tangled up in something dangerous. She'd spent months looking over her shoulder, only just managing to settle back into a quiet life.

At the time, all she'd wanted was for Damian to stay out of her life—how could she have imagined he'd actually hold onto those promises about marriage?

When she didn't answer, Damian's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong? Too scared to say?"

His voice hardened without him even realizing it.

Hearing that accusing tone, Melinda's composure cracked. "I... I was panicking back then, and I... I just said the wrong name by accident."

Damian listened, then gave a faint, unreadable smile. He leaned back in his chair, posture loose and casual, but his eyes never left her. "Oh, really?"

There was something in the way he said it—something that made the air around them feel heavier.

Melinda lifted her chin, forcing herself to meet his gaze even as her heart pounded. "Mr. Langley... you don't believe me?"

Her voice wavered slightly—whether from nerves or because she sensed he wasn't buying it, it was hard to say.

Damian looked away, his voice cooling. "I've only known you a few days. Why would I trust you so easily?"

Melinda's eyes widened. "But I really did save you back then. That's the truth."

His tone dropped lower. "It could be. Or it could not be."

She froze, staring at him, completely stunned into silence.

Seeing the shock on her face, Damian suddenly picked up his fork and placed some food into the plate in front of her.

Melinda blinked, looking up at him in confusion.

His face was striking—impossibly handsome. He was smiling now, but she couldn't tell if it reached his eyes.

She had no idea what he was really thinking. But one thing she knew for certain: marrying him would change everything for her.

She'd only completed her master's—never went for her PhD. She'd always wished she could study under Thomas.

But here was Scarlett, still just an undergraduate, laughing and chatting with him like it was nothing.

And Nolan... the man she'd once had feelings for.

Looking at them all together, something sour and bitter stirred in Melinda's heart.

When she turned back, Damian was watching her. She forced another smile. "What is it?"

He held her gaze, direct and unflinching. "What if I told you I've fallen for someone else? That I want to be with her—to take responsibility for her..."

Melinda's whole body went rigid.

She let out a quiet, humorless laugh before answering. "That woman... It's Scarlett, isn't it?"

Damian didn't hesitate. "Yes. It's her."

Those words hit her like a slap. She swallowed the sting and managed a shaky smile. "If I hadn't given the wrong name back then... would you have—"

But Damian cut her off before she could finish. "We can't know what didn't happen. I can't give you an answer to that."