<h4>Chapter 348: Tell Me</h4>


    Cadence smiled at the woman sitting across from him as he returned to eating his food. It was a small relief, seeing her out of that room for once. A good thing, he thought, that he had allowed Jung to go and speak to her. If he hadn’t, she might have remained locked away, curled into herself, refusing toe out to eat. At least now, she was here with him.


    That should have been enough to lift his mood, but it wasn’t. His smile faded slowly, wiped away by the sight of his friend lingering nearby.


    Cadence turned his head, his jaw tight as he stared coldly at Dr. Jung. What was the point of getting her toe out if he couldn’t even enjoy the moment properly-if he couldn’t have a few quiet minutes alone with his Melody?


    The possessive thought stirred something bitter in his chest. She wasn’t his yet. Not fully. Not until she stopped flinching and frowning at the sight of him... And stopped looking for ways to escape.


    But now, how was he to talk to her and seduce her if Jung was going to be a third wheel?


    Cadence narrowed his eyes and his lips pressed into a thin smile. Maybe it was time to send the doctor away for a while- just a short break. A few days, perhaps or maybe longer, just enough to let her settle without external influence. He’d been here too long, should enjoy a vacation.


    Or maybe... maybe it was time to rece him altogether.


    A female doctor, maybe. Someone gentler. Someone less likely to interfere. Someone Melody wouldn’t feelpelled to talk to as much.


    Yes. That might be better.


    He watched Jung for another moment, his mind already working through the logistics and finally opened his mouth to propose this idea, but before he could, Mnie spoke up," Dr Jung."


    Cadence turned to look at her with a smile but then frowned all over again when he realized she was staring at Jung. And not even looking in his direction.


    He red at his friend, only to receive a kick from him as he answered," Yes, Miss Thomas?"


    "I need something for the pain. My hands and knees are hurting a lot."


    Dr Jung nodded," I’ll bring you some pain killerster in your room."


    Jung nodded immediately. "Of course. I’ll bring it to your roomter."


    Cadence’s hand tightened around his spoon, the metal creaking faintly under the pressure.


    <i>Her room.</i>


    <i>He</i> had given her that room. He had given her space so that she woudl getfortable with him. And yet she looked to Jung for her need.


    It was wrong.


    "You don’t have to wait tillter," Cadence said directly. "You could make it now, Jung. Couldn’t you?"


    Doctor Jung hesitated. He looked between Cadence and Melody. "Of course. I’ll just—"


    "Go on." Cadence gestured with a flick of his hand, already turning back to his food. "She shouldn’t have to wait."


    As Jung left the room, Cadence took the moment of silence that followed to finally look at her. Really look.


    Her shoulders were hunched, her gaze now on the half-eaten food in front of her. She hadn’t spoken to him once since she sat down. Not a word.


    Was she still pining for that man-Adam and that she was not able to convince him that she was Mnie?


    Cadence narrowed his eyes at her, a bitter taste rising in his throat.


    But before he could question her, Dr. Jung returned.


    Cadence didn’t bother to hide the re he shot at the man as he walked over to the table.


    The doctor moved to her side and ced a strip of tablets in front of her with a calm, professional tone. "Take one now, and another in the morning," he said.


    She nodded, picking up the medicine. "Thank you," she said softly. A small smile followed her words and his jaw clenched.


    That smile.


    Why hadn’t she smiled at <i>him</i> like that? Not even once.


    He had brought her out, allowed her to eat in the dining room, given her a quiet space, made sure everything she needed was there. And yet, not a word of thanks. Not even a nce his way.


    Before he could say anything or demand an answer-she stood up and stepped back from the table.


    "I’m done. Please excuse me," she said quietly.


    He stood up too, almost on instinct, his body already moving to follow her. But before he could take a step, Jung blocked his path.


    Cadence’s eyes darkened.


    He turned his head slowly and red at the man in front of him, fists curled tightly at his sides.


    "Why are you stopping me?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp. "Why are you not letting me go after her?"


    Jung didn’t answer right away. "Because you need to cool down, Cadence! You cannot just go on hurtling without a care. Already, she is not happy with you over what happened yesterday. I’ve repeatedly told you that you should handle her gently, but you insist on barrelling forward."


    "Is that what you want? Or are you interested in my Melody and that is why you don’t want me to go to her." Cadence asked angrily.


    Dr Jung sighed and though any other man would have felt offended by hisck of trust, he did not. Instead, like an older brother, he bopped Cadence on the head and said," Wake up from your jealous, Cadence. Am I the kind of person who would covet what you have?"


    Cadence opened his mouth to answer but then shut it, before slowly shaking his head. If there was anyone Cadence other than himself, it was Jung.


    "But, she is so beautiful, smart and sexy... how can you not like her?" Cadence asked in genuine confusion.


    Jung patted the man’s face over the almost innocent question, and smiled," Its because I like someone else who is handsomer, smarter and sexier... Now, you be good and listen to me."