“Do you even realize what you’ve done?” I asked Dexter, gripping his cor with a feigned smile, my
eyes flicking over to where Melody was standing, fuming in theer.
Melody looked like she was about to grind her teeth to dust.
“Phoebe…” Dexter’s voice wavered as he took my hands in his. “I should’ve trusted you. Whatever
happened before, I’ll make it up to you. From now on, I’ll be your knight in shining armor. No one will
ever hurt you again. I swear.” Dexter dered, his face etched with eamestness.
Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.
I put on my best damsel–in–distress act and batted my eyshes at him. “What to do? I can’t stand the
sight of her.”
I nodded subtly in Melody’s direction.
Dexter nced back at her, his brows knitting together. “Melody, I’ll have my bodyguards ensure your
safety, you…”
“Dexter, there’s been another murder on Tangle Lane, and I’m terrified, you know that. I’m not asking
for much. I don’t want to fight with her over you.” Melody’s voice wavered as she bit back her anger,
ring at me. “I just… just hope you can protect me, for old times‘ sake.”
She was still ying the gratitude card for some ancient favor she imed to have done Dexter.
I knew full well it wasn’t Melody who’d helped Dexter all those years ago, but exposing her now would
spoil the fun.
Let those two continue their little drama. Interfering now would only make Dexter cling to me more
desperately.
“Phoebe… Sure enough, he was swayed.
Dexter seemed to have some semnce of a conscience, tolerating Melody for some supposed life
debt.
“Phoebe, Melody’s in danger. The police protection won’tst forever, so… Dexter tried to make me
see reason, to have me agree to keep Melody around. “You wouldn’t want to see her fall victim to a
killer, right?”
“I wouldn’t mind,” I said with augh.
Dexter really was something. Why would I care? I’d have no problem watching her meet her end.
“Dexter…” Melody stepped forward, her eyes welling up. “Phoebe has never cared about my well–
being.”
Dexter massaged his temples, looking at me with a plea in his eyes. “Phoebe,e back with me,
okay?”
“Sure, I’ll
go back with you. Just worried Melody might not take it too well,” I said with a shrug, keeping my eyes
on Melody.
Melody clenched her fists, swallowing her pride as she bore my gaze.
“She’s understanding. After all, it’s your house we’re talking about, and our house,” Dexter coaxed in a
low voice.
Thinking I’d fall for the same old sweet talk as before.
“Understanding? Are you implying I’m not?” I gave Dexter a wounded look.
“Phoebe… That’s not what I meant.”
Watching Dexter squirm was quite entertaining.
“Fine, let’s go. I’m with you,” I said, my attention briefly caught by a movement not too far away. Instinct
told me someone had been watching us all along.
With Colin not around, I had to ensure both my unborn child and I stayed safe, which meant sticking
with Dexter for now.
Dexter was ted, hurrying off to start the car.
I spared Melody onest cold smile. “See, even when I told him I’m not Phoebe Caldwell, he still treats
me as if I am.”
Melody spat out through gritted teeth, “Foebe Larson, you’d better stay away from Dexter!”
“Or what? I want what you want, unless… I find a better option.” I stepped closer to Melody, my voice
light and teasing. “I know you’ve got a backup n, always eyeing the president of All–Stars
Consortium. People can’t be too greedy. If you spill some secrets about the Consortium’s president to
me, I’ll back off from Dexter.”
Melody shot me a re. “In your dreams.”
“You see… just like you, I’m fighting to survive. Henry Langley wants me dead, Caleb’s locked up in a
mental ward, so I need a powerful ally. Since I’ve got no way to meet All Stars Consortium’s big shot, it
looks like I’ll have to fight you for Dexter,” I said with a chuckle, then turned and opened the car door,
ready to leave.