Melanie stilled, her breath catching as the weight of Saira’s words settled in her chest. Had she heard correctly? This woman—this same woman who had boldly claimed that Adam would eventually come back to her—was now saying that he had...ra*ed her? Her mind reeled, struggling to grasp the meaning behind the confession. What kind of twisted story was this?
Before she could even begin to process it, let alone form a coherent response, Saira continued, her voice dropping to a whisper, so soft it was almost swallowed by the silence.
"I know it must sound unbelievable to you," she said, eyes downcast, fingers twisting the edge of her sleeve. "But Adam... he really was obsessed with me. After everything happened—after that night—he came to me, tried to console me, acted like he was sorry. He even apologized, over and over, and I... I forgave him. Because despite all of it, despite how broken I felt, I still loved him. I know how foolish that must sound, but it’s the truth."
Saira hesitated then, as if gathering the strength to share the next part.
"And then I found out I was pregnant."
Melanie’s heart dropped.
"Adam was getting ready to leave for university, so I didn’t tell him at first. I didn’t want to ruin his future. But when my mother found out, she blamed me. Said I must have done something to trap him, to bring shame on their family. I was broken! My own mother believed in him. I tried to carry that burden for a while, tried to protect everyone, but eventually... I couldn’t bear the shame anymore. So I confessed. I told my mother everything."
This time, Saira’s voice cracked, and a guttural sob tore from her throat as she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling with the force of her grief.
Sir Collins, who had been silent all this time, finally moved. His deep sigh filled the space and he looked at Saira with an expression of sorrow and regret.
"This," he said slowly, "this was the reason my wife and son cast Adam out of the house all those years ago. They believed that he no longer deserved to carry our name. That what he had done... was beyond forgiveness."
He paused, his eyes darkening as memories resurfaced, then continued.
"Saira’s mother—God rest her soul—she died of the shock not long after Saira confessed the truth. Her heart couldn’t take it. She had always trusted Adam, saw him almost like her own. To know what he’d done..." He trailed off, shaking his head slowly. "She couldn’t take it."
"All these years, I kept Saira close to me and Adam away, hoping that everything would be better in the end. But then, Saira heard the news of your marriage. I told her that he was head over heels for you. But she almost broke down. Because, despite everything, she still loved Adam."
"Last month, she ’conducted’ a test here. She let Adam catch a glimpse of her when he was dining out with you. He walked out of there and followed her all the way to her hotel. I am sure you remember that since he left you then." Sir Robert said pointedly before continuing," Anyway, that incident gave her hope that Adam still loved her so she returned. And as expected, they are close again. Last night, Adam got into a fight with one of our would be clients because of Saira and one thing led to another. That person is the one who leaked the news and the pictures by hacking into our surveillance."
Melanie remained silent, her hands resting stiffly in her lap as her gaze flicked between the two people sitting across from her even though her face remained unreadable.
Whatever the two people sitting across from her expected, it was not what they got. She could see it from their expressions when she casually asked, "So tell me, what exactly is your purpose in inviting me here? Do you want me to divorce Adam... for Saira?"
She let the question hang in the air and gave them a sharp smile as she continued," Because that... will not happen."
Saira stiffened instantly, her mouth pulled tight and she spoke resentfully, "You don’t have to divorce him for me! I know enough about Adam to tell you—he’ll be the one to leave you! Just wait!"
Sir Robert raised a hand, and sent a warning look to Saira, reprimanding her, "Saira. That’s enough." Next, he turned to Melanie and spoke softly," Melanie, I... expected better of you. I might not have spent much time with you but I know of your work ethic and principles. My reason for bringing you here was simply to protect you and make you aware that things are not as straight forward as they seem. But I didn’t think you would be blinded by greed."
Sir Roberts turned sharply to Saira who was about to say something more and making sure that she had backed down, he turned to look at Melanie again.
"Melanie, you must understand... the press outside, the people in our offices—they’re all talking. Ever since the footage was leaked, the stories have taken a life of their own. They’re calling Saira names—gold digger, home-wrecker, worse. She’s being painted as the villain in this mess. And that... that isn’t the truth."
"She has already suffered through this in the past and I will not let her go through it again! I’ve convinced her to hold a press conference. She will get a chance clear her name. To tell everyone that Adam pursued her. That she tried to stay away, but he wouldn’t let her."
"And I want you to stand with us when she does," he said plainly. "To speak up. You will tell them that you and Adam were only together because of the will and that there is no relationship between the two of you." He paused then and continued just as simply," If you don’t... then I will have no choice but to ask Saira to reveal the past to Adam and from there on...Adam and you both will suffer."