Chapter 5 - Melinda’s First Lie
Melinda rose slowly from the floor.
Milk stained one knee of her pale gray trousers.
She tried to straighten her cardigan, but her trembling hands would not cooperate.
“Kirsten, I can explain.”
“You told me you conceived naturally.”
Melinda’s eyes moved toward Connor.
It was a tiny movement.
But Kirsten saw it.
So did Arthur.
Connor spoke quickly.
“She doesn’t owe you an explanation.”
Kirsten’s professional calm became colder.
“If she carried an embryo created from my body, she owes me much more than an explanation.”
“That isn’t proven,” Connor snapped.
Arthur held up the sealed envelope.
“This is a certified copy of the transfer schedule.”
Connor’s face tightened.
Kirsten stepped closer to Melinda.
“Did you know?”
Melinda’s lips parted.
For one second, shame appeared.
Then Connor seized her wrist.
“Don’t say anything.”
Walter moved forward.
“Take your hand off my daughter.”
Connor released her immediately, but the damage was done.
Kirsten had seen the fear between them.
Not shared fear.
Controlled fear.
Connor was not protecting Melinda.
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He was keeping her quiet.
👉 Melinda’s silence was no longer loyalty—it was the silence of someone trapped inside Connor’s plan.
