"I don't think so. I've never heard her mention Liam before," Camilla answered, trying to recall if Sandra had even mentioned Liam or along those lines. In fact, she couldn't even remember when she sat together with Sandra and had a good conversation with her in recent times.
After their family lost everything, it was as if their daughter had become someone else. Sandra would lose her cool and throw a tantrum over trivial things. It had even gone to the extent of her humiliating them for not providing her with the life she wanted.
It was only in the past few weeks that Sandra had toned her temper down. Yet, she didn't have a minute to spare for her family, choosing to remain outside every day. Now that she thought about it slowly, Camilla realized how suspicious Sandra's behavior was.
"Do you suspect something is going on between Liam and Sandra?" Declan asked, surprised to see how calm Melanie was. She was too composed and rational, considering it had only been a few hours since she discovered her birth truth.
'Is she always like this? Or... is she putting up a calm facade before us?' he wondered, trying to analyse his newly found sister. She was a mystery he couldn't fathom. Though he didn't sense any malicious intentions or resentment from her, that didn't stop him from keeping his guard up against her.
"No. Not yet." Melanie shook her head and clamped her fingers thoughtfully. "But I can't say the same in the future."
"Do you not trust him?" Declan probed, trying to find out what his sister was thinking. His curiosity was sparked, and he couldn't help but lean forward as he studied her expression.
The other members of the Hayes family were equally intrigued, and they remained silent, waiting for Melanie to share her thoughts.
"The Gilroys have only one daughter, Sandra. She is the sole heiress. Whoever marries her will gain access to her assets. I don't think I can provide Liam with any support, considering my current plight," Melanie revealed her thoughts, her mind recalling the scene of Liam and Sandra sharing a knowing look. It didn't seem like they were meeting for the first time.
"Moreover, I don't think he loves me enough to choose me over what is beneficial to him," she added and took a sip of water to calm her agitated nerves. Although she remained calm on the outside, she was anything but that within. Her mind was a mess, and she had no idea how to handle her predicament.
Also, her heart wasn't made of stone, so it was natural for her to have feelings for Liam after interacting with him for years. So, every time she thought about her would-be husband and Sandra, she felt uncomfortable and dejected.
Melanie's mind spun, her stress and exhaustion getting the best of her. She didn't have an apetite anymore. So, she gave up eating and stood up, taking everyone by surprise.
"I'm sorry, I feel a little tired and drowsy. I should probably go to sleep," she said, hiding her discomfort from everyone.
"Sure. Sure. You must have woken up early. Go to sleep, Lannie. We'll talk in the morning," Camilla smiled at her warmly, assuring her silently.
"Good night, Lannie. Rest well," Stefan waved at her while the three brothers just nodded at her curtly.
They watched her back until she was out of sight and waited for some time. It was only when they were sure she wouldn't catch up on their conversation that they looked at each other.
"She's a lot calmer and sensible than I thought her to be," Ezra said, giving his parents a look. He had been watching her, listening to her as she revealed her thoughts. She was one of the few people he knew who could remain this tranquil under stress.
"Umm... honey, do you think something's going on between Sandra and Liam?"
Camilla couldn't bring herself to think badly of the child she had raised for twenty-five years. Yet, time and again, Sandra had disappointed her, and now, she felt nothing towards her. Their bond had broken the moment she threw the DNA report and cut ties with them. All that remained was heartache towards Melanie.
'If only we hadn't messed it up and protected our daughter well,' Camilla thought, feeling her eyes well up in despair.
"We cannot ignore the possibility," Stefan said, tapping his fingers lightly against the dining table. After years in the business world, his mind had sharpened, and he had become shrewd. He could see certain things clearly, even those which everybody else neglected.
He already had his suspicions. Melanie's words only fanned the flames. He smiled bitterly and looked towards the stairs. "Irrespective of what may happen, our daughter has suffered."
Nobody said a word of objection. It was the truth. Melanie had lived a sheltered life all these years. She was the woman whom many admired and respected. But all of it shattered, and her life turned out to be a lie. She was now reduced to nothing.
Stefan could already envision how the same people who admired her would treat her in the future. It wouldn't be easy for her, and the mere thought of her facing such circumstances made him fidget in his chair.
'What if she starts to despise us because of this?' he thought, his heart skipping a beat in fright. 'Will she loathe us as well?'
Not just Stefan, but Ezra and Declan had similar thoughts too. They were wary of Melanie. Yet, they felt bad for her. The situation was beyond their control, and they shook their heads helplessly.
Stefan sighed and stood up to clear the plates. "Let's give Lannie some time to cope. As for Liam, let's wait and see what he intends to do next."
That was the only choice they had for now. So, Camilla and three brothers nodded before they started clearing the dining table.
Meanwhile, Melanie lay flat on her bed, staring at her ceiling. Although she was exhausted, she couldn't sleep. The messy thoughts made her lose her sleep, and the unfamiliar place only added to her sleeplessness.
Other than her phone, she had brought nothing with her. But she hadn't turned it on for a long time and had no intentions of doing so as well. She knew she'd be bombarded with calls and messages. So, she let it remain switched off for the time being.
Sighing softly, she closed her eyes, trying her best to get some sleep. But nothing worked, not even counting sheep the entire night.
Eventually, she gave up on her sleep and went down to watch TV. But her feet paused on the steps when she saw her three brothers in the living room.
While Castiel was watching the TV, Declan's eyes were focused on his laptop, and Ezra... Melanie frowned when she saw Ezra staring at something absent-mindedly. Meanwhile, her parents were nowhere in sight.
'What are they doing at this time of the night?' she wondered, her thoughts turning bizarre as seconds ticked. It was long past midnight, and it didn't make sense that the three brothers were still here, considering that there was no room for them.
"Can't sleep?" Declan asked, not averting his gaze from the laptop. He had sensed her gaze long ago.
Castiel's gaze whizzed towards her while Ezra broke out of his thoughts, surprised to find Melanie looking at him strangely.
"Yeah. Am I disturbing you?" she asked, making her way towards them.
"Not at all. Please," Ezra pointed to the space beside him, which Melanie took promptly.
Nobody said a word for some time. Only the faint noise from the TV as the commentator shouted excitedly, disturbed the silence.
Melanie wasn't a big fan of car races. Yet, she didn't say anything and watched the TV, forcing herself to adjust to the awkwardness lingering around her.
Time passed more slowly here than in her bedroom. Finally, she couldn't tolerate it any longer. It would be better if she spent her time in her room. With that thought, she stood up. "I think I should go to my room."
Declan's fingers halted, and he raised his eyes to meet her gaze. Sighing softly, he closed his laptop and placed it beside him before saying, "Since you're already here, let's have a good talk, shall we?"