Chapter 19 Publication (2/2)

The editor was meeting Melinda for the first time. She felt that Melinda was a beauty with brain and was glad to partner with her.

”Oh, come on, Melinda. We need to enjoy your victory. Let me get you a cup of coffee to celebrate your success.” Kent smiled tenderly. Melinda was giggling like a little girl as her eyes didn't leave the contract paper.

His heart melted at the sight of her happy face. He hardly saw her smile and wanted to protect her at all costs. Melinda was precious to him and he wanted to always keep her happy.

”Kent, you've been incredibly supportive and none of this would have been possible without you. So it's my treat today.”

Melinda carefully placed the contract in her bag and grinned at him. There was a mall in front of the office and Melinda decided to take him to the most popular coffee shop there.

”You haven't changed one bit.” Kent shook his head and smiled when he saw Melinda order the usual black forest cake and macchiato.

Melinda smiled and continued to stir her coffee.

But deep in her heart, she knew that she had changed a lot.

The coffee house was silent and a faint melody of piano filled the air. Melinda sighed contentedly as she was enjoying the moment. She always loved going to coffee shops and baking pastries. But she had abandoned all her wishes and desires after she got married to Jonas.

She was like a moth that was attracted to the flame. She wanted to start a new life with Jonas but marriage slowly killed every bit of happiness, hope, and life in her. She had turned into a numb, lifeless person. She didn't know who she was anymore and was in search of the lost ambitions and dreams to fill her hollow heart.

”Melinda! Hello?”

Kent snapped his fingers, interrupting Melinda's thought. She finally came back to her senses and realized that she was in a coffee shop with Kent. ”I'm sorry. All of this is a bit overwhelming and I'm a bit distracted.” Melinda smiled sheepishly.

Kent knew what she had been thinking but he didn't want to ask her about it, so he nodded and smiled at her.

Holley had been depressed lately and there wasn't any news about her. She was having a nasty headache and decided to grab a cup of coffee. When she walked into the coffee house, her eyes fell on Melinda who was talking happily with Kent. She disregarded her public image and walked up to her.

”Isn't this Mrs. Gu? Of course, it is. What are you doing with another man here? Secret affair is it?” Holley asked, smirking at Melinda.

The big sunglasses almost covered her entire face and Melinda couldn't recognize her for a moment.

”What a shameless couple!”

Holley's voice boomed across the coffee shop and everyone turned to look at her. ”Miss Huang, mind your tongue!”

Melinda growled.

She had always been a strong, feisty woman, but everyone had misinterpreted her silence for fear. Melinda had endured Jonas's torture all these years without fighting back and people thought that she was afraid of him.

”Oops. Did I say anything wrong? Mrs. Gu, you're a married woman. You cannot go on a date with random men,” Holley mocked.

She had always envied Melinda. She couldn't accept that Melinda lived a better life than she did.

”He's not a random man. He's my friend and I'm having coffee with him. This is a normal social activity, but I'm sure everything will seem wrong if you see through your filthy eyes. Moreover, I've been divorced and I can be with whoever I want. It's none of your business.”

Melinda crossed her arms across her chest and smiled at her.

Holley's mouth popped open with shock.

”Divorce?”

Melinda's words hit her with full force. She didn't know that Jonas and Melinda were divorced.

”I get it now. Mr. Gu would've found out that you're a cheater. That's perhaps why he has divorced you.” Holley snickered.

Although Holley was trying to push her buttons, Melinda didn't lose her composure. But she was a little annoyed. It was her moment, and she was celebrating her success, but Holley was ruining it for her.

Jonas was on his way home after visiting his ailing grandfather. The commotion in the coffee shop caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes when he saw that Holley and Melinda fighting. He asked the driver to stop the car.

Jonas's breath caught in his throat when he saw Melinda. He hadn't seen her for a long time and she was looking like a different person now.

”Take Holley away. Don't let the paparazzi take pictures of her,” Jonas instructed the driver. The driver nodded and walked into the coffee shop.

Jonas couldn't take his eyes off Melinda.

He couldn't help but wonder if she was the same woman who had married him for his money. Melinda had always looked sad and weak but she seemed beautiful and energetic now.

Melinda was not in the mood to talk with Holley. She gritted her teeth and glared at her. The driver strutted towards Holley and whispered in her ear, ”Miss Huang, everyone's watching you.”

Holley instinctively peered at the surroundings and saw that everyone was staring at her. Her face flustered with embarrassment. She quickly adjusted her glasses and turned away.