Chapter 3 Unexpected Support

"Isn't this what you've always wanted to witness?" Melanie asked.

During their school days, Melanie, Rhett, and Gabriel used to be inseparable. However, everything changed after she began seeing Gabriel, and Rhett no longer treated her the same way. Once she became Gabriel's wife, the sharpness in his tone only grew stronger.

"From the very beginning, I told you that the two of you didn't belong together. Yet you chose to marry him anyway. Come on. You think he'd settle for one tiny fish in a sea full of them?"

Through the years, she learned to brush off his cutting comments, yet she never imagined he would push things this far today.

A fierce look crossed Melanie's face as she shot back, "One tiny fish, you say?"

With a lazy grin forming on his lips, Rhett offered no further explanation.

Out of nowhere, he appeared unusually pleased with himself.

Silence filled the small cabin. That faint feeling of floating unsettled Melanie, and she tightened her fists until her palms felt slick.

Each sharp rise and sudden drop of the helicopter felt even more intense than any amusement park ride.

She couldn't keep quiet any longer, so a scream escaped her, along with a few frustrated words thrown in his direction. "Are you messing with me on purpose?"

Gradually easing the controls, Rhett answered in a rough tone, "Did you submit the divorce papers?"

Keeping her mouth shut, Melanie chose not to respond.

Given that Rhett and Gabriel shared a close bond, she had no way of knowing whether he would immediately inform Gabriel.

Quiet settled between them once more. The moment the helicopter surged forward again, another cry slipped from her lips.

"Did you file for it?"

Casting an irritated glance at the man beside her, she finally admitted, "He still doesn't know."

Right after speaking, she caught the subtle shift in his expression as it turned slightly colder.

"But I already made him sign the divorce petition," Melanie added in an even voice.

Her statement stirred something in him, and a brief spark of delight flashed through his eyes before disappearing.

"You've got more tricks up your sleeve than I thought." His remark carried a mix of mockery and praise.

Letting out a humorless chuckle, Melanie avoided the topic and said, "Just slow it down. I want to take in the view."

From that height, the landscape stretched out in breathtaking detail. After adjusting to the motion, the earlier dizziness slowly faded away.

"What's his mistress's name?" Rhett asked suddenly, cutting through the quiet.

A crease formed between Melanie's brows as she replied, "Why do you want to know? Are you thinking of tearing them apart?"

With a mocking tone, he answered, "You're overthinking it. I'm just curious whether she's more attractive than you, since he seems so obsessed." Even as he spoke, his eyes stayed fixed on her with open interest.

At that, Melanie rolled her eyes in annoyance and complained under her breath.

Since the day she and Gabriel became a couple, Rhett had kept this same attitude. Anyone watching from the outside might assume he was bitter because she had taken his beloved one away.

To her knowledge, Rhett wasn't into men. That only made it harder to understand why he kept criticizing their relationship.

"Would it hurt you to talk less? Do I not look good enough? Rhett, if paying for an eye exam is the issue, just say so. Since we are friends, I'll handle the bill for you."

Her sharp reply drew a low laugh from him. Slowly, he turned to face her and asked, "Does Gabriel know you speak like this around other people? Why do you act one way with him and completely differently with me?"

For years, Melanie showed Gabriel only her soft and thoughtful side. Because of that image, he felt entitled to keep someone else by his side. In his eyes, she was easy to control, and he used that to his advantage.

Meeting his gaze, Melanie pressed her lips together and said, "Aren't you doing the same thing? You act distant and disciplined in front of everyone else." His earlier words kept repeating in her thoughts.

Deep down, she wondered whether Gabriel would still care for her if he saw who she truly was. After all, what he adored was someone who never pushed back.

"Have you hired an attorney yet? I know an excellent divorce lawyer. Do you want me to introduce you?" Leaning slightly closer, Rhett spoke in a mild tone that carried a subtle test.

Tilting her head, Melanie looked at him from the corner of her eye and asked, "You're not worried I'll repeat this to Gabriel?"

"I'm only offering help. If you're not interested, then forget I mentioned it," Rhett replied, keeping his voice even.

That unexpected support only confused her further. "Rhett, there are times I really can't figure you out. Do you honestly see Gabriel as your friend?"

Never before had she witnessed someone so willing to interfere in the marriage of a person he claimed was close to him.