"How dare you accuse me of making things up? Have you forgotten what you did yesterday?" Melody pulled out the USB drive the bar owner had given her. "Even if you've forgotten, that's okay. I have evidence! Shall I play it for everyone to watch?"
Wendy was momentarily stunned. This marked the first time in many years that Melody had straightforwardly vehemently opposed her. Perhaps knowing she had a place to go in the coming year made Melody less fearful of being kicked out of the family.
Wendy started to panic when she heard Melody had evidence. In a softer tone, she said, "Melody, you've already made a mistake. Don't make it worse. Mom and Dad might forgive you if you just admit your fault!"
However, Wendy's efforts to stop Melody seemed to underscore the strength of the evidence in Melody's possession.
Melody turned to Ethan, saying, "Dad, I'm still your daughter. Can't you at least give me a chance to prove my innocence?"
For the first time in many years, Ethan took a serious look at Melody. Somehow, she seemed different from before.
"Alright, I'll give you a chance. Show me the evidence you've got!"
As Ethan asked to see Melody's evidence, Wendy quickly rushed forward and grabbed his arm. "Dad, what are you doing? Melody must be lying. Don't..."
"Yeah, Wendy told us about it. She has a crush on a male celebrity! What's his name..." Helen was eager to support Wendy who could help her to gain favor from Ethan. She immediately sided with Wendy, saying, "Wendy is just upset. What's wrong with keeping her company, Melody?"
'This is my biological mom, but she's never comforted me like this...' Watching Helen sitting beside Wendy and consoling her, Melody felt a pang of heartache. In her childhood, it was more about envy, but as she grew up, the emotions evolved into a mix of pain and irony.
"I wouldn't have minded just keeping her company for a drink, but Wendy schemed against me! She wanted to send me to another man's bed to secure a role in a movie, and she then slandered me for being someone else's mistress! How is that okay?"
After saying this, Melody played the second video, which clearly showed Wendy hugging and laughing flirtatiously with a man.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Day I Kissed An Older Man