The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 244

Melinda's sudden sobbing took Anastasia off guard. "Melinda, what's wrong? What's going on? Please, don't cry." Anastasia said. She handed Melinda a tissue and tried to wipe away her tears.

Unable to hold back her emotions, the moment Melinda hung up the phone, all her grievances poured out like a burst dam. Everything she had been working and fighting for seemed like a cruel joke. It was as if a string she had been tensing for years had suddenly snapped.

Melinda cried uncontrollably, drawing a few side-eyes from other customers in the shop.

Pattie, the wise little girl, tried to wipe Melinda's tears away with her tiny hand, "Don't cry. I'll give you a sweet."

She didn't really know how to comfort people, but she was willing to share her candy. In Pattie's world, having sweets always cheered her up.

Pattie unwrapped a sweet, and Melinda, unable to say no to the little girl, popped it in her mouth. She sobbed silently as she tasted the sweetness, which was a stark contrast to the bitterness in her heart. She was no longer a three-year-old child who could be placated with a piece of candy. The sweeter the candy, the more bitter she felt inside.

"My parents just bought a house in the county and didn't even tell me. They used my money to buy my brother his wedding house. They set the wedding date without telling me. What the hell am I to them?" Melinda exploded, "Am I just an ATM to them? For years, I've been footing the bill for everything at home. They've squeezed me dry."

Hearing this, Anastasia felt a surge of anger for Melinda. Melinda might have seemed to be living the high life, but in reality, she was beaten and bruised, drained dry by her own family.

After a long while of comforting her, Melinda finally calmed down. Seeing Melinda in such a state, Anastasia didn't dare to ask anything else.

Melinda wasn't in the mood for tea anymore, so they ended their afternoon tea early. Anastasia hailed a cab for Melinda. Watching the cab drive away, she stood on the bustling street with Pattie, pondering that every family had its set of problems.

Back in her shared flat, Melinda seemed dazed. Her flatmate noticed her looking down and asked, "Melinda, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

"Nothing." Melinda replied flatly, not wanting to talk about it.

Her flatmate, who had often accompanied her to the Neon Dreams club, suddenly remembered something, "Melinda, your friend from last time, she seemed familiar. Wasn't she the one who helped you confront that Mr. Winchester?"

Melinda sat on the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone, "Hmm."

"That's why she seemed familiar. I just remembered something. That night, I saw your friend rushing out of Mr. Winchester's private room and heading to the rooftop. I followed her, and you won't believe what I saw. She was with Mr. Salstrom from Elysian Technologies, on the rooftop suite couch. They were really going at it." Her flatmate said.

Melinda didn't really pay attention to what her flatmate was saying. Her mind was still preoccupied with the house her parents had purchased. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to call home. She took her phone into her room, closing the door behind her. The call was picked up almost immediately, and before Melinda could even ask about the house, her mother's voice asking for money came through, "Melinda, do you have any money left? Could you send me another hundred grand? The man I accidentally hit last time is demanding compensation for his lost wages and medical bills. He wants a hundred grand."