"You''re overthinking it," said Thalia with a light smile. "Is that what''s bothering you at home? Although some things may involve privacy, Lucas, you should know that I''m more than willing to help you through any difficulties."


    Thalia''s smile became even more understanding. However, Lucas felt like he was increasingly unable to see through this friend he had known for years.


    "You don''t have to force a smile," Lucas said coldly, leaving Thalia looking as though she had been struck by lightning. Her smile froze.


    "Lucas, what do you mean?"


    "It''s exactly what I mean. If you don''t want to smile, you don''t have to fake it."


    Thalia''s smile disappearedpletely from her face. "Lucas, have you heard something?"


    Lucas would never speak to her in this manner and tone unless he knew she had sent someone to frame Melody. He had always been amodating to her, so speaking to her in such a cold manner made it difficult for her to ept.


    "Heard what?"


    Lucas was perplexed, but he maintained his usual expressionless demeanor, so it was unclear whether what he said was a question or a statement.


    "If you''ve heard any gossip, why didn''t you juste and ask me?" asked Thalia.


    Lucas looked at Thalia, but she avoided his gaze. She kept her eyes lowered, staring at the white bedsheets, leaving Lucas wondering what she was thinking.


    "Ask you what?" Lucas stared coldly at her as if waiting for her to admit something.


    "Lucas, what you''re doing to me is akin to psychological abuse. Don''t you think you''re being extremely cruel?" Thalia said, usingly.


    Lucas'' tone grew even more puzzled. "How am I subjecting you to psychological abuse?"


    Thalia''s eyes welled up with tears. "Lucas, if you ask me, I''ll admit that I did it! You could have juste and asked me why I did it! As long as you ask, I promise to tell you everything." Thalia''s mind raced as she tried to figure out how to appear pitiful in front of Lucas. At the very least, she could not let him continue to treat her with this icy attitude.


    Lucas did not know what she was talking about, but he followed Thalia''s lead and asked, "Then can you tell me why you did it?"


    Thalia finally looked at him. "In the end, Lucas, you can''t help but speak up for Melody. I knew it! That woman''s all you care about now! Have you ever considered my feelings?"


    Lucas caught on that the woman Thalia was referring to was Melody, and he instantly became displeased. After all, what did Melody have to do with this?


    "Why do you keep bringing up Melody? She never said anything about you behind your back."


    Lucas had thought about it for theN?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    past few days. Even though somewhat dejected at Thalia''s return, she had never brought up Thalia in front of him. On the contrary, Thalia always seemed to intentionally or unintentionallyin about Melody to him, even crying and ming Melody for this incident. To be honest, Lucas was starting to feel fed up with it.


    "Who''s the one constantly bringing up Melody?just mentioned her once, and you immediately get upset on her behalf. Lucas, after all these years, have you ever truly cared about me? You don''t know how long I''ve been waiting for you..


    Thalia was genuinely heartbroken, her eyes were red. "We''ve known each other for so many years, so what right did that woman have to steal you away? You don''t care about me anymore! And just so you know it, I did frame Melody S