?Chapter 1440:


    Melvin hesitated. Instead of replying, he called her.


    She had told him not toe around, not to show up in person, but calling didn’t count.


    Jessica stared at the screen, fingers poised, before finally picking up. Her tone was cold, sharp as a winter wind. “Exin why you were at my ce, intimidating Jack.”


    “He was messing around behind your back,” Melvin said, in and blunt.


    “I gave him permission.” Jessica’s voice dropped colder, like frost creeping across ss. “When we got married, I made it clear. However he lived his life wasn’t my concern.”


    “You’re husband and wife,” Melvin said, his voice tight.<fn8af5> Readplete version only at FιndNovel</fn8af5>


    He couldn’t stand the thought of her stuck with someone who didn’t care, someone who treated her like an afterthought. Maybe she didn’t mind now, but eventually, she’d understand that happiness had toe from something real.


    “I know better than you what we are,” Jessica shot back. Every wordnded like a p. “Stay out of my rtionship. And stop threatening him.”


    “I didn’t threaten him,” Melvin replied, though even he could hear the lie hanging in the air.


    “I know exactly what you did,” Jessica said tly. “I asked him earlier. He lied to my face.” Her tone didn’t shake, didn’t waver. “I know him. He only lies when someone scares him into it.”


    “So just because of that, you doubt me?” Melvin’s voice lowered.


    “Yes.”


    Silence stretched. Then Melvin exhaled, defeated. “You’re right to doubt me.”


    Jessica’s heart twisted at the unexpected confession. For a second, her resolve faltered.


    Melvin didn’t know what else to say, so he just whispered her name.


    She opened her mouth to respond, but the balcony door slid open.


    Lawrence stepped inside, bncing a te of sliced fruit. “Want some fruit?”


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    Melvin’s entire body tensed. A man’s voice?


    “I’ll have itter. I’m on a call,” Jessica said coolly, motioning to her phone.


    Melvin’s jaw tightened. “Where are you?”


    “Why does it matter?” she shot back. “Let me make this clear onest time. Stay away from Jack and me.”


    Without waiting for his answer, she hung up. She knew exactly what silence would do to Melvin’s nerves.


    Right on cue, the phone buzzed again almost immediately.


    Lawrence was already halfway to the living room to give her space when Jessica called out, “Lawrence.”


    He paused. “Yeah?”


    “Can you answer it for me?” she asked, a wicked glint shing in her eyes. Without missing a beat, she handed him the phone. “If he asks who you are, make something up. If he asks about me, tell him I’m in the shower.”


    Lawrence caught on instantly. “The guy who rejected you?”


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