Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law-Chapter 108: A Celebration

"Let's go."

Melanie had barely stepped into the house when Adam intercepted her, caught her wrist and steered her right back toward the door.

She blinked in confusion, pulling back slightly. "Go where?"

"To celebrate."

Melanie frowned, glancing down at her workbag still slung over her shoulder. "Celebrate what?"

Adam exhaled dramatically, rolled his eyes and then leveled a gaze at her, "Seriously? My wife just pulled off something incredible today, and you're asking what we're celebrating? Of course, we're going out and celebrating you!"

Melanie blinked again, still processing his enthusiasm. "Wait, you mean—"

"Yes!" he cut in before she could finish. "You've just announced the new partnership and I saw the marketing campaign you've begun on the social media with all the behind the scenes reels. So, of course we need to celebrate your first success!"

Melanie rolled her eyes and pulled her wrist from him. She had a feeling that he would hold her hand forever if she didn't take it back. Over her shoulder, she said, "I'll freshen up and then we can go."

Melanie let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head as she disappeared down the hallway. But as she reached her room and closed the door behind her, the amusement faded into quiet contemplation. A celebration. For her.

She had never really thought about it. Of course, this was a success—one she had worked tirelessly for—but celebrating? That had never been part of the routine. The last time she had thought to celebrate something had been her 'marriage anniversary.'

But that had not been for any achievement or even for her. She'd been planning that for Spencer's return. No one had ever celebrated her or her wins.

Her grandmother had always acknowledged her achievements with rewards—sometimes a new book, sometimes a rare compliment—but those moments always came with an expectation: to do better next time. There was always another goal, another step forward.

And Laela... well, Laela had been her loudest cheerleader, always gushing about her wins, hyping her up before she even had time to process them. But those moments had never felt like celebrations. That was just Laela being herself.

Adam wasn't just acknowledging what she had done. He wanted her to pause. To take it in. To enjoy it.

She caught her reflection in the mirror, studying the faint surprise still lingering in her expression. Then, slowly, a small, genuine smile formed.

Maybe, just this once, she could let herself celebrate.

With that thought, she turned to her closet, reaching for something a little nicer than her usual choices. If she was going to do this, she might as well do it properly. And enjoy it.

***

"You're taking me in a car?" Melanie asked as she looked at Adam in disbelief.

Adam grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief as he took a deliberate step back to take in the sight of her.

Then, for added dramatic effect, he placed a hand over his heart and let out a deep, exaggerated sigh. "I know, I know. A tragedy, right?" He shook his head, as if deeply pained. "But since we're celebrating you, I couldn't bear the thought of you arriving with wind-blown hair or—heaven forbid—a helmet head. It just wouldn't do."

Melanie scoffed at that but before she could say something cutting, he added with a smirk, "Though, if I had known you were going to dress like this... I might have reconsidered. I do think the length of this dress on my bike would do interesting things..."

Her breath caught for the briefest second as his gaze swept over her all over again.

She willed away the heat creeping up her neck and glared at him, "Let's go."

Still, she couldn't deny the way her pulse fluttered at his words. She had chosen this dress with teasing him in mind, and judging by the way his attention lingered all over her, she had succeeded. There was something thrilling about it—about knowing she had his full focus, about watching him take notice. And he always did that, making enjoy it. But, of course, she wasn't about to admit that.

Instead, she lifted her chin and smirked. "Well, are we going or not?"

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Adam chuckled, shook his head in amazement and opened the car door for her. But before she could get in, he stepped forward, closing the space between them as he trapped her between the door and himself. And then, as was his habit, he leaned close to her.

Melanie clenched her hands at the side and tried to keep her composure as he drawled near her ear," I can see your disappointment, you know. Not being able to 'ride' me."

Melanie's pulse skittered and as he mind caught up to what he said, she sent him a wife eyed glance to which he added with a smile, "I meant ride with me, of course."

She jerked her head back to glare at him, but the teasing gleam in his eyes made her breath catch. However, he was not done as he continued, "But don't worry. The car has its perks." He glanced over her shoulder at the backseat, then back at her, a smirk on his face as his gaze flickered to her lips before traveling lazily down her frame. "There is plenty of space at the back..."

Melanie swallowed. She knew she should say something sharp and cutting, but her brain always turned to mush...And so before she could gather her thoughts, he delivered the final line... "I even kept a blanket in the back for us to use."

Her lips parted slightly, and for a second, she hated how easily he unraveled her. How effortlessly he made her pulse race. Thankfully, her brain finally provided her with something... "A blanket? You must get cold often. It's okay. Do you want me to bring you a cane and some warm socks too, old man?"

Adam laughed loudly and then stepped back," And there it is. The cutting edge. For a moment I was wondering if you'd fallen in love with me and were therefore being all sweet."

Melanie paused for a moment as she watched Adam round the car to slide into the driver's seat. Why did his last words suddenly sound like a warning?