Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire
Chapter 239: The Darkest Secrets

Chapter 239: The Darkest Secrets

At Lancaster Ancestral Mansion

Melanie bit her inner cheek as she walked into the living room where her brother, Tim, and Sylvia were already waiting. The moment Tim spotted her, he stood up and hugged her. "You’re looking great," he said, pulling back to look at her. "I guess Rain is right... you should stay here with her."

He held her gaze for a moment and added, "I’m really sorry, Melanie. I haven’t been much of a brother over the years. I hope you can forgive me and give me a chance."

Melanie let out a deep sigh, her expression unreadable as she noticed the gifts they’d brought. "Remembering her birthday for the first time, I see," she muttered wryly, the disbelief evident in her tone. Ever since Rain had become Mrs. Lancaster, Tim had been relentless, trying to use Melanie to connect with her.

Tim ignored her subtle mocking and smiled as he gently caressed her cheek. "I’ll keep my promise and give you your freedom, Melanie," he said softly. "But I’d appreciate it if you’d come by once in a while. It’s still your home. Our parents left it to us."

Melanie’s expression hardened. "I’ll come back, but only to pick up the rest of my things. I don’t know what you’re up to, Tim, but know this, neither Rain nor I will fall for your games," she replied firmly. "If you want to see or speak to Rain, reach out to her directly. Don’t try to use me as your bridge."

Tim sighed heavily, his expression softening. "I know, Melanie. Rain’s always been strong. I’ll keep reaching out to her, hoping she’ll understand how much I regret not acknowledging her sooner, and how I allowed Sylvia and Dina to mistreat her. I won’t let them do as they please anymore... not to you or Rain."

Melanie met his gaze, recognizing the shadow of the brother she once knew, but also recalling the bitterness he held toward Kayla, Rain’s mother, whom he’d blamed for Lydia’s death. For him, Kayla had been one to push Lydia to her breaking point to commit suicide aside from Arlan Cartier.

"I’ll be sending Dina abroad to continue her studies," Tim went on. "And as for Sylvia, I’ll keep her in check and ensure she treats you both with respect."

Melanie glanced at Sylvia, who had maintained a quiet, almost defeated posture throughout. It was something new to her sight.

Tim gestured to the gifts he’d brought. "I brought Rain some presents. I’ll leave them here, along with these for you... I know you love these delicacies," he said with a small smile. As he turned to go, Melanie couldn’t help but ask, "Is sending Dina abroad really necessary?"

Tim paused, turning back to her. "She’s been causing trouble, Melanie. She’s old enough to be responsible, but she’s difficult to handle. I think time away might help her reflect on her actions."

As he left, Melanie watched him go, feeling a pang of sorrow. She missed the brother he’d once been before Lydia’s death... the one who had looked at life with warmth, not the emptiness he kept in his eyes. That old Tim was gone, and as much as she pitied him, she knew he was still shackled by the past, unable to take even a single step forward.

"Hmm, let me inspect these gifts first. No offense, but I really don’t trust that brother of yours. What if there’s spyware hidden in here or something in the food that could make you or Rain sick?" Ben’s voice broke into Melanie’s thoughts, snapping her back to the present.

Melanie chuckled softly, watching as Ben meticulously checked each item. "Go ahead, Ben. Do as you please," she said with a small smile. The Lancasters were famously cautious, so his diligence wasn’t surprising.

She settled onto the couch, observing him as he carefully inspected everything, even calling over Chef Philip to taste some of the delicacies first.

Ben had always been attentive to her and Rain’s safety, and Melanie couldn’t deny she was aware of how he admired her. But there was a part of her that held back, reluctant to open up to the idea of a relationship. Her illness lingered in the back of her mind, reminding her that life was still fragile and unpredictable.

Besides, she often thought she might be too old to consider romance again. Yet Ben had a way of making her feel young, like a teenager with a fluttering heart, on the edge of being swept away by a first love.

"Wow, Tim really went all out for Rain," Rock said, looking surprised as he entered and saw the array of gifts. He turned to Melanie with raised eyebrows. "I bet that’s a first, right?"

Melanie nodded, unable to disagree. Tim had never once remembered Rain’s birthday, let alone brought her gifts.

Rock settled onto the seat opposite her and asked, "By the way, I heard your trial to get out from under your brother’s full guardianship is happening this week?"

"Yes," she replied, a small smile spreading across her face. "Rain told me it’s scheduled for this Thursday." The thought of finally gaining control over her own life, free from Tim and Sylvia’s interference, felt like a long-awaited dream coming true. For once, she could imagine a future without them overshadowing her every decision.

Rock nodded and said, "That’s good then and I hope they will come up to a final decision soon."

"Thank you so much," Melanie said warmly, and Rock responded with an easy smile. "I’ll leave you and Ben to it, then. Oh, and I heard you two are going out tonight, enjoy yourselves." He winked playfully, causing Melanie’s cheeks to flush.

Rock had been teasing her like this often, and she found herself blushing each time. Once he was gone, Ben turned to her with a more practical focus. "Let’s give it an hour or so to see if Chef Philip has any reactions. If all is well, it should be safe to eat."

Melanie nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of anticipation. Ben sat beside her and moved closer, his expression suddenly tense. He took her hand gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Melanie, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s about who I really am, something from my past that I want you to know. I want to be completely transparent with you and not hide anything. I want the woman I like to know even the darkest secrets of my life..."

Melanie gulped. It wasn’t the first time Ben had mentioned his feelings for her, but she still felt overwhelmed by his straightforwardness. "Tell me..." she encouraged him.