Chapter 42 Childhood Friendship (1/2)

Silence prevailed in the room. No one dared to utter a word. Melinda closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm down. She picked up the crutch from the floor and handed it to Nelson.

”Grandpa, let's eat.”

Melinda smiled and served the food. Nelson smiled sadly and reluctantly took a bite of the food. Melinda wasn't bothered that Jonas had left her to see Emily.

Her nonchalance surprised everyone in the room. Melinda was behaving as if Jonas was a stranger to her.

Queena was shocked by her reaction. Melinda always felt dejected when Jonas ignored her and left to see another woman.

Queena had thought that Melinda and Jonas were getting along well but she was wrong. Nothing had changed.

”Mellie, I'm sorry.”

Nelson felt that Melinda was pretending to be okay when she was hurting inside. He wouldn't have felt bad if she had thrown a tantrum at everyone for the way Jonas treated her. But she restrained her emotions and kept everything to herself. She tolerated everything without complaining.

”Grandpa, I'm fine.” Melinda smiled reassuringly.

Melinda and Jonas were pretending to get along well only for personal gains. They weren't living their lives like a married couple, so it didn't matter to her about what Jonas did or who he was with.

Nelson's heart was heavy and he had lost his appetite. He was just playing with his food without eating. Queena was conscious of her health, so she hardly ate anything. Yulia couldn't eat in front of Melinda. She nibbled on her food awkwardly. But Melinda was ravenous. She gobbled the food, devouring the taste, and even finished half a bowl of soup.

When Melinda stood up to leave for her room, Nelson called, ”Mellie, come to my study after dinner. We haven't seen each other in a long time and there are a lot of things that I need to talk to you about.” Nelson smiled and went to his study.

Melinda felt bad to see Nelson losing his mind over her relationship with Jonas. He was old and needed to live in peace rather than worrying about them.

The sweet scent of sandal wafted in Nelson's study. The walls were covered with paintings that Jonas had drawn when he was young.

His desk was filled with articles and photo frames that Melinda had gifted him. Nelson cleared the desk with his trembling hands and plopped on the chair. He wore his reading glasses that made his eyes look bigger.

Melinda felt that Nelson was getting old. Although he was mentally strong, his body didn't seem to cooperate.

”Come here, Mellie.” Nelson smiled at Melinda who was leaning against the doorframe.

She nodded and walked in as Nelson pulled out an old photo album from the drawer.

Nelson fondly caressed the album and opened it. Melinda saw the picture of a chubby baby, blowing bubbles.

He had plump cheeks, rosy lips, and was incredibly cute.