Melina's Fate (Marriage 2)
1105 Words
Melina had never wanted to go on a dinner date with Raymond, yet she was forced into it. His behavior disgusted her to the core.
Raymond took her to one of the most luxurious restaurants, ordering the most expensive dishes without a second thought. Throughout the evening, he flaunted his wealth and influence, making sure everyone around them knew just how powerful he was.
Yet, despite being on a date with Melina, he shamelessly flirted with the waitresses and other beautiful women in the restaurant.
Unable to endure it any longer, Melina slammed the table and stood up. “Young Master Raymond, I believe you have no intention of entertaining me. Since you've found someone else to spend your evening with, I shall take my leave.”
Raymond frowned, leaning back with a smirk. “My, my… Are you jealous of my admirers? Remember, your family’s fate depends on my decision.”
Melina stopped in her tracks, clenching her fists. “What do you want?” she asked through gritted teeth.
Raymond licked his lips, his gaze trailing over her. “I’m feeling sore all over. I wonder how it would feel to have your soft hands massage my body.”
Melina’s face twisted in anger. She stomped her foot and snapped, “How dare you spout such nonsense? Dream on! I’m leaving.”
With that, she stormed out of the restaurant.
Raymond, however, wasn’t the least bit worried. Smirking, he muttered, “Hmph, let’s see how long you can keep up that arrogance.”
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
Ring…
The call was quickly connected.
“Is there something Young Master Raymond needs to talk about?” Jerrad’s voice came from the other end.
Raymond frowned. “Talk? What’s there to talk about? Have you not taught your granddaughter how to behave? Do you want to lose our support?”
Jerrad stiffened at the harsh words. “Young Master, what happened? If Melina has offended you, I sincerely apologize. Rest assured, I will teach her a lesson.”
Raymond scoffed. “You’d better. Make sure she understands the consequences of offending me.”
With that, he hung up. Tossing his phone aside, he turned to the beautiful women around him and smirked. Tonight, he would indulge himself.
---
Melina, unaware of what had transpired after she left, was lost in thought.
‘Why was I born with a golden spoon if I don’t even have the freedom to choose my own life?’ she wondered bitterly. ‘If my brother were still alive, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.’
Her heart ached at the thought. If only she were stronger—then she could have refused this forced marriage. But her grandfather had made it clear that she had no more time to improve.
She let out a heavy sigh. “I can’t even escape my fate. If I don’t marry into another influential family, the Lynden family will be ruined.”
The power balance in the city was shifting. Besides the Collins and the Lynden families, there were also the Shanks and the Rosarios. Ever since her brother’s passing, these powerful families had been circling, waiting for an opportunity to seize their assets.
The Lynden family had already lost several businesses over the years. Their influence was crumbling, and they were powerless to stop it.
Finally, she arrived back at her villa. She was about to head straight to her room to continue her martial arts training when she noticed a figure standing at the entrance—her grandfather, Jerrad.
His eyes burned with anger as he glared at her.
“You unfilial child!” he scolded. “Is this how you repay the family? Don’t you understand that we cannot afford to lose the Collins’ support? What did you do to enrage Young Master Raymond?”
Melina was taken aback by his fury. She stomped her foot and shouted, “Grandfather, do you even know what that bastard said to me? What he tried to do?”
Jerrad scoffed. “Who cares what he wanted? Sooner or later, you’re going to marry him anyway. Even if he asked you to sleep with him, you should have just agreed.”
“Do you think you’re more important than the family?”
Melina’s heart sank. She wanted to argue, to fight back, but no words came out. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned and ran to her room.
The moment she was out of sight, Jerrad let out a long sigh. His voice softened as he murmured, “Don’t blame me, child. I did everything I could to protect you. One day, you’ll understand.”
With heavy steps, he turned and made his way back to his study.
Inside, two figures were waiting for him—a man and a woman.
The man stepped forward. “Father, is this really the only way?”
It was Visco Lynden, Melina’s father. Beside him stood his wife, Jenni Rosario.
Jerrad glanced at Jenni before speaking. “It would have been ideal if her family had supported us, but they’ve deliberately turned their backs on us. This is the only path left for our survival.”
Visco clenched his fists. “Father, can’t you give Melina more time? If she becomes a martial arts master, we won’t have to bow to anyone.”
Jerrad shook his head. “We don’t have time. The Collins are after our martial arts technique, the Shanks grow more aggressive by the day, and even the Rosarios, though silent, have begun encroaching on our minor businesses.”
Visco stiffened. “How can that be? Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
Jerrad sighed. “What good would it have done? I wasn’t about to send you to your deaths.”
Visco fell silent before hesitantly bringing up another possibility. “Grandfather, I heard the War God has returned from the battlefield. This city is his hometown. Can’t we ask for his help?”
Jerrad’s eyes widened at the mention of the name. He trembled slightly.
“The War God… is in this city?” he whispered.
Visco nodded. “Yes, but even the higher-ups only have his contact details. No one knows what he looks like. He remains a mystery.”
Jerrad exhaled deeply, his mind racing. “Our influence is nothing to him. What could we possibly offer that would make him help us?”
A heavy silence filled the room.
For the first time, an alternative path had appeared before them. But whether it was a path to salvation or destruction remained to be seen.
- Writer
