Chapter 3 She Would Choose Anything Over Groveling Before Declan Again

Melinda saw her eleven-year-old brother leaning against the doorframe, short and thin for his age. Each shaky attempt to drag the IV stand left him breathless, wracked by harsh coughs.

Jayden Dawson had been born with a severe blood disorder.

Their mother, overwhelmed and resentful, betrayed their father for another man, leaving a broken marriage in her wake.

To those on the outside, the Dawson family presented the image of prosperity, but only Sebastian truly knew the pain and exhaustion of raising three children by himself.

A lump formed in Melinda's throat as she took in Jayden's pale features, worry making her heart sink. "Jayden, do you know anything about Claire?"

Shuffling forward, Jayden's every movement revealed years of muscle wasting from his chronic illness.

He let his gaze wander over to the hospital bed. "There was a picture of Claire in Dad's office. He was furious-said he'd been threatened. After that, Dad went abroad with Norton Butcher, his secretary. I'm not sure if he went to meet Claire."

Abroad? Melinda frowned at the information. Declan said he'd discovered Claire at her father's home. And who, exactly, had threatened her father? Could it be Claire?

Melinda had only crossed paths with Claire one time, just before marrying Declan.

Claire had called, her voice shaky with tears, offering congratulations and insisting she considered Declan nothing more than a friend. She had said she was leaving but had no money.

Moved by sympathy, Melinda had handed her a hundred thousand-far more than the ten thousand Claire had requested.

No sooner had Melinda handed Claire the money than Declan showed up, accusing her of trying to buy Claire's departure.

Tears slipped down Claire's cheeks as she clutched the money, playing the role of the victim.

Declan's disdain for Melinda only deepened after that day.

Although Claire looked harmless, every move she made seemed to carry hidden meaning.

A jolt of realization pulled Melinda out of her memories, her voice growing crisp. "There's more to the story. I can feel it."

Jayden's words came out brittle and cold. "Is my brother-in-law having an affair with Claire?"

"He's no longer your brother-in-law." Melinda sidestepped the question, swallowing a fresh wave of heartache.

A sudden fit of coughing from Jayden yanked her from her thoughts.

Ripped sleeves and hunched shoulders caught her eye, his arms tucked behind his back in an attempt to hide them.

Gently, she took hold of his arm, only to find a fresh cut on his arm and a bruise swelling on his forehead.

A cold passed over her features. "Who did this to you? Why aren't you in your ward? What are you doing here with Dad in the middle of the night?"

Jayden's thin face hardened, and he pulled his arm away from her grasp. "It's nothing. Please don't worry about me."

"Jayden!" Worry twisting in her gut, Melinda seized his arm again, fear already blooming. "Is this about the hospital bills? Did they force you out of the ward?"

A defiant look flashed in Jayden's eyes, tears gathering at the edges.

Determined not to crumble, he bit out his confession. "They kicked me out, so I fought back! But Melinda, I can't let you keep working as a bar girl because of me. Promise me you won't."

Melinda went still, shame creeping into her cheeks. "Have the nurses been talking about me?"

"If I end up dying, then so be it! You're Dad's precious daughter; you shouldn't throw your dignity away for me," Jayden replied, every cough laced with frustration.

Red tinged Melinda's eyes, the ache in her heart both fierce and tender.

Leaving him be was never an option.

The list of what Jayden needed felt endless-another surgery, constant dialysis, expensive medications shipped from overseas-and she was already drowning in debt from it all.

With her savings drained to nothing, desperation had driven her to sell herself and become a surrogate.

Instead, she'd crossed paths with Declan, suffered humiliation, and returned home empty-handed.

A crushing sense of helplessness threatened to overwhelm her, and she dreaded having to face Deanna, who was counting on her to deliver a commission.

Her thoughts barely settled when her phone buzzed with an urgent ring.

A flicker of alarm crossed Melinda's face as she answered. "Deanna..."

A biting reprimand crackled through the phone. Deanna's tone was unforgiving. "Melinda, what were you thinking? How could you screw up and upset a VIP? You've wasted my time. Show up tomorrow night, collect your final pay, and don't come back!"

"No, Deanna, please don't do this," Melinda pleaded, collapsing to her knees. Was Declan behind all of this? He wanted to ruin her completely after she rejected his offer.

But Jayden's treatment was non-negotiable-he couldn't go a day without it.

Of all her options, only the bar offered fast cash. No matter her pride, she would have to beg Deanna for another chance.

On the second night, Melinda slipped into the skimpy, alluring dress she wore for work.

Inside the bar's lavish office, Deanna delivered her decision without a hint of sympathy. "The boss wants you gone. No one dares to cross a big client like that. You used to be a high-born socialite, but that means nothing now."

When Melinda first started, men had lined up for a chance to spend time with her, their stares glued to her every move.

She really was a vision-elegance from her privileged past still showed in every feature, from her flawless skin to her spellbinding eyes. Simply walking into a room, she commanded attention.

Deanna had once imagined Melinda would bring in a fortune, but now she had lost hope. "Just take your money and get out."

"I'm begging you, Deanna. I have nowhere else to go-I need this job," Melinda said, her voice breaking.

"Everyone in this place is desperate for cash," Deanna retorted, her glare unwavering. Catching sight of Melinda's broken look, she let out a long breath and eased her tone. "You know who you crossed. If you want to stay, swallow your pride and apologize, or find another man willing to pay for your company. Either way, you can stay until morning."

Shock drained the color from Melinda's cheeks, leaving her stunned. After a while, she said bitterly, "Thanks, Deanna."

Inside, resentment twisted in her chest. Who else could have pulled the strings against her? No matter what happened, she would choose anything over groveling before Declan again.

Bracing herself, Melinda drew in a shaky breath, bit down on her lip, and made her way along the corridor.

Azure Bar had a reputation for draining wallets-the city's most extravagant playground-its elusive owner only adding to the bar's myth. The place was legendary, attracting everyone from powerful socialites to shadowy underworld figures.

Even the glassy walls seemed to be watching, every angle reflecting secrets and stories.

Without warning, a familiar woman's face appeared, mirrored on a wall.

Turning around, Melinda stood face-to-face with Claire.