Chapter 3 The Game Begins

David stared at the closed door with the sharp sting of rejection burning through him because Melissa had never stood up to him like this. Never for once had she looked at him with such finality like he was a chapter she was desperate to close and he hated it.

The next morning, she was already packing when the knock came again. This time, it wasn't David but Brinley

"Are you seriously going through with this?" Brinley asked eyeing the half-packed suitcase.

Melissa zipped up the bag "Absolutely"

Brinley crossed her arms "You know he's not going to let you go that easily, right?"

Melissa paused "Let him try". Because this time she wasn't the same woman who had once waited, hoped, and settled and she was done waiting.

But as she walked out of the apartment with the suitcase in her hand, she wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted her in the driveway. It was David leaning against his car with his arms crossed and eyes locked on her with quiet determination.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked coolly.

Melissa tightened her grip on the suitcase handle "Anywhere but here.

David stood in front of her, cool and composed as if he hadn't just shattered her world days ago.

"Move" she said with a steady voice despite the anger that was raging inside of her.

David didn't budge, Instead he reached for her suitcase and with one effortless tug pried it from her hands.

"What the hell, David?" she snapped stretching to grab it back but his grip was firm "We need to talk."

"We don't" she quickly responded.

"We do" David snapped back with a calm voice which was a calm contrast to the fire in his eyes "You want a divorce? Fine... But we do this my way" He said.

Melissa's breath hitched. Of course she knew that David wouldn't make this easy "There is no 'your way'" she said "This isn't a business deal. You don't get to dictate the terms" She added.

David smiled even when he wasn't amused by the act "Everything is a deal, Melissa. And I never agree to something unless I'm sure it benefits me."

She clenched her fists "Oh, let me guess. You'll sign the papers, but only if I play the role of your devoted wife for a little longer? Maybe parade around in public so your precious reputation stays intact?" she said.

He didn't answer right away which confirmed her suspicions and a bitter laugh bubbled up in her throat "I knew it"

David exhaled sharply "My grandmother is sick" Melissa shocked by the response as it had nothing to do with their discussion "Your grandmother is sick, so what?"

"She's asking for you, she doesn't know about..." He gestured vaguely between them "any of this" he added.

The weight of his words settled over her. Nadine Haynes was the only member of David's family who had ever treated her with kindness and the thought of her suffering while believing everything was fine between them twisted something in Melissa's chest.

David took her silence as an opening "One month" he said "You stay, while you pretend things are normal and once it's over, I'll sign the papers"

Melissa's head snapped up "You're blackmailing me with your grandmother's health?"

David met her gaze without hesitation "I'm giving you an opportunity to leave on my terms, clean and simple"

"Simple? There was nothing simple about this" Melissa said as she crossed her arms "And if I refuse?"

David's expression didn't waver "You won't"

Infuriating, arrogant, manipulative and yet... was she really heartless enough to leave Nadine when she needed her most?

Melissa let out a slow breath after weighing her options "Stay for a month, pretend and then walk away forever. Can I do it?" her inner voice whispered to her.

David stepped closer as he lowered his voice and asked "What's it going to be, Melissa?"

Her heart pounded "Fine, one month and that's all" she said.

She lifted her chin "but when this is over, you sign those papers without a fight"

David's lips curled slightly "Deal".

Melissa should have felt victorious, but it felt like she had just walked into a trap instead.