Chapter 10
Reason told her that whatever Seth said next could drag her into an abyss, that she should get up and leave immediately. But her body felt as if it were nailed to the spot. unable to move an inch.
“Melody, you’ve been with Landon for this long. Haven’t you ever wondered if he actually likes you, or why he suddenly agreed to be with you that day?”
Melody shot to her feet. “If you’re just here to stir up trouble between us, then I’m leaving.”
But just as she stood up, Seth let out a soft laugh. “Have you seen the tattoo on his ribs, over his heart? The letter ‘S’. Which can also be pronounced Skylar. As in Skylar’s ‘S.”
Melody’s mind went blank with a deafening roar.
Of course, she had seen it.
That night, she had traced it with her finger, softly asking what the tattoo meant. He had pulled her close, his voice hoarse as he said, “It doesn’t mean anything. Just got it on a whim.”
But who would get a meaningless letter tattooed in the place closest to their heart?
You’d never guess that a scumbag like Landon Crow could actually be so devoted to someone, right?”
“He’s in love with Skylar. So in love that he’d tattoo her name right over his heart. Don’t be fooled by his cynical attitude now, changing girlfriends every three days and refusing to commit. Back in the day, he got into fights for Skylar, set off fireworks for her, even cooked for her. If Skylar cried, he’d run across three streets just to buy her favorite candy.”
“He once loved Skylar so much he would have given his life for her. It’s just that, later, they couldn’t be together anymore. The way he treated her so horribly recently was just his way of trying to help her get over him faster.”
Why,” Melody heard her own voice trembling, her whole body struggling for air, “why couldn’t they be together?”
You know about his father jumping from a building, right? The defendant in that lawsuit three years ago was Skylar’s father. The person who reported him was also Skylar’s father. So, how could the proud Landon Crow ever be with the daughter of the man who drove his own father to his death?”
That night at the karaoke bar, Landon followed me out and told me to take Skylar and leave town. But I told him, unless you make her give up all hope, it’s
seless no matter where I take her. So, I gave him two choices.”
First, agree to be with Skylar, then dump her a few months later to make her give up completely. Or second,” a cruel smile spread across Seth’s face. “get with someone else. Not a casual two-day fling like before, but a real, serious relationship. Make Skylar believe he’s really fallen for someone else so she’ll give up.
Then, once Skylar’s gone, dump that person.”
I knew he would choose the second option. Because between playing with Skylar’s feelings and playing with someone else’s, he would always choose the
atter.”
Melody felt as if all the strength had drained from her body. She sank weakly back into her chair, trying desperately to control her trembling.
So, that was the real reason he had suddenly agreed to be with her that day?
Because he didn’t want to hurt Skylar’s feelings, he decided to play her for a fool instead.
While she was falling deeper and deeper, all he was thinking about was when the best time to dump her would be.
That’s all it was.
Seeing the despair on her face, Seth felt a flicker of guilt. But compared to his hatred for Landon, that guilt was nothing. He continued, “The other day, I accidentally let it slip to Skylar, which is why she came to find you. Now I’ve decided to take her away, so I thought you should know the truth.”
Melody’s eyes filled with tears. She abruptly stood up and ran back toward campus.
As she reached the law school building, she saw Landon coming down the steps.
Seeing Melody, he wasn’t surprised. He assumed she was there to make up.
But it wasn’t until their eyes met that he suddenly noticed something was different about her gaze.
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She walked straight toward him.
I have something to ask you.”
Seeing her entire body trembling, Landon frowned, a strange feeling in his chest. “What is it?”
Melody struggled to control her emotions. “You’re in love with Skylar Ford, aren’t you?”
