Chapter 40
“What gives you the right to touch my things without asking?” My voice came out sharp and firm.
I wasn’t yelling, but the anger behind my words was loud enough.”
Melody, who had followed me into the room like a timid little shadow, immediately went wide–eyed.\
Her voice trembled as she tried to explain, sounding soft and pitiful from behind me.”
“I… I suddenly got my period, and it stained my clothes, so Derek let me take a shower here.”
She then cast Derek a helpless glance, as if she hoped he would rescue her.
Melody turned back to me and added, “He said you always keep disposable underwear in the cabinet, and since you didn’t respond to his message, he just…”
I cut her off, narrowing my eyes.
“He just what?“}
I let out a quick, incredulous laugh.”
My anger simmered beneath the surface as I stared directly at Derek.”
“So you brought some other woman into my home without asking, let her use my things without permission, and then had the audacity to go through my closet and pick something out for her? Like you had any right to do that?“”
“Derek,” I snapped, “that’s theft. Plain and simple.“}
My whole body shook with fury. I stared directly at him, refusing to let even a flicker of guilt slip past.
And the moment I said ‘theft,‘ something broke inside him.”
Derek snapped. He bared his teeth, all venom and violence, like a caged dog ready to bite.\
“What the hell are you even saying? Joanne, do you have to be so damn extreme all the time? How the hell did I ‘steal‘ anything?! You didn’t answer my message! And you’re always like this, acting like you’re better than everyone, looking down on me!”
Derek stepped toward me, fists clenched at his sides, raising his voice.\
“You’re the one with a million issues, but you think you get to nitpick everything I do? Take a look in the mirror! You’re paranoid. Always accusing me of crap, always making me look like the bad guy in front of people. And if it weren’t for Melody being the patient one, always telling me to be gentle with you, do you think anyone else would put up with your attitude?”
And there it was…”
All the resentment Derek had been holding inside finally spilled out like trash at my feet.
He turned himself into the victim again.”
He’s the one cheating, sneaking around, bringing another woman into my space, and somehow I’m the problem?!
I couldn’t believe it.
But instead of crying, I couldn’t stop laughing directly in his face.
And then, with every ounce of calm I had left, I met his glare and said, “Derek, I want you and your precious Melody out of my home. Right now.”
There was no sugarcoating it. No ‘maybe later‘ or ‘let’s talk this out.‘\
I was done.[
Derek’s face twitched, his expression darkening like a storm about to break. His jaw was clenched so tightly I could almost hear it. He looked like he was seconds away from losing control.
Right then, Melody stepped in, just like she always did.”
She played the peacemaker, slipping into her usual role–the innocent, fragile victim.
“Joanne, please don’t be mad at Derek,” she pleaded, her voice shaky with fake concern.
“These past few weeks, ever since you two started fighting, he’s been so depressed.”
Her tone made me want to gag, but she wasn’t finished. “I’ve seen how hard it’s been on him. Please don’t keep hurting each other. Wouldn’t it be better to get back together?”
And the whole time she’s saying this, she’s still wrapped in my bathrobe, her cleavage barely covered, the scent of my body wash clinging to her skin.”
God, the sight made me dizzy.!!
I turned back to Derek, but he was already buying into her act again. That smug, detached look had returned, like he actually believed he was the one in control.”
Than Darak annand his mouth and said nondoonandimaly “If it waran’t far Malady I owner I warddin tanned nuttina un with
1:35 AM P P.
to be a real woman.”
Derek waved dismissively.”
Right on cue, Melody let out a tear–streaked laugh. “Joanne, come on. We’re family, aren’t we?”
She then reached out to take my arm as if we were sharing a sisterly moment.”
But the second her hand touched mine, I jerked away like she burned me and snapped, “Family? With you?!”
I faced Derek directly, steady and unwavering, and pointed firmly toward the door.
“Take your woman and get out of my apartment.”
