She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 283

Melanie didn't believe that Preston wasn't curious.

The more he liked her, the more he should want to know about her.

"I'm impressed you can hold back..."

Melanie spoke first, hopping onto the stone curb of a planter.

"Hold back from what?"

Preston asked softly, walking alongside her.

"Hold back from asking about my private life, like my marital status!"

The air between them grew quiet again.

After a moment, Preston said coolly, "You'll tell me when you want to..."

"What if I never tell you?"

"That's fine, too."

"Hmm?"

Melanie tilted her head, looking at Preston curiously. "If you like me, don't you want to know everything about me?"

"Knowing everything about you or not doesn't change the fact that I like you."

A gust of evening wind carried his words to her ears.

The air was still muggy, but an incredible sense of relief washed over Melanie.

She continued walking unsteadily along the curb when she suddenly lost her balance and almost fell.

Just then, Preston, who was beside her, quickly grabbed her hand.

Melanie glanced up.

She instinctively tried to pull her hand away but couldn't free it from his grasp. His grip was firm but didn't hurt.

Through the smooth fabric of his white gloves, Melanie felt as if she could sense the burning heat of his skin.

She let him hold her hand, continuing to walk along the curb, her steps now steady and confident.

***

Crestline General Hospital.

By the time Dominic arrived, Evelyn was out of danger.

When Gavin saw Dominic, he didn't ask any questions. He just silently patted Dominic's shoulder and left Evelyn's room.

He had spent the entire night by Evelyn's bedside, but he had thought about Melanie the whole time.

He didn't know if it was the attention Preston and Bryant were showing Melanie that had stirred his masculine possessiveness and competitiveness, or if he wasn't as faithful and unwavering as he'd always imagined himself to be.

Over the course of the night, he recalled many small moments he'd shared with Melanie.

He remembered their first meeting, when they were introduced as part of their arranged engagement. Melanie had blushed crimson, wanting to look at his face but too shy to do so, her girlish innocence on full display.

He also remembered proposing to her at the airport four years ago with a large seven-carat diamond ring. He recalled the surprise and emotion on her face, her tear-filled eyes overflowing with a young woman's happiness.

The more he reminisced, the more Dominic felt his heart race.

This flutter in his heart... how could it not be a form of affection?

Just as Dominic pressed a hand to his chest, his mind completely occupied by Melanie, Evelyn stirred in the hospital bed.

She slowly lifted her weary eyelids, and her blurry vision gradually cleared.

Finally, she saw Dominic.

Dominic was sitting right by her bed, unshaven, looking like he had been there all night.

Evelyn smiled faintly.

She was right. Her gamble had paid off.