Passion Renewed

Chapter 17

Marcus

Well, that went fucking brilliant.

I barely kept myself in control as Daniel yanked Melanie into the guest room, my fists clenched at my sides. The muffled sounds of their heated argument seeped through the walls, and every fiber of my being screamed to intervene. But I couldn't.

Then, the son of a bitch left with her. I didn't even get the chance to talk to her, to make her understand. The ache in my chest is relentless, a constant reminder of what slipped through my fingers. Why did she leave?

My thoughts are interrupted by Adam's voice. "Marcus, Mallory will call Melanie tonight," he says, his tone calm but firm. I turn to face him, a mix of frustration and longing in my eyes. "I don't want Mallory to talk to her. I want to talk to her, not through some damn representative," I reply, my voice edged with impatience.

Adam raises an eyebrow, offering a reassuring smile. "Marcus, calm down. Last night was a mess, but it was also a start. Mallory is good at this stuff; she knows how to handle delicate situations. Trust her."

I blow out a breath, trying to rein in my impatience. Adam is right, though last night wasn't ideal, it was a start. "Just make sure to call me as soon as Mallory speaks with Melanie," I insist, my eyes searching Adam's for reassurance.

"Don't worry, Marcus. I'll keep you posted," Adam promises, his expression sincere.

My chest tightens with the thought that maybe Melanie and Daniel kept fighting because of me last night. I don't want to be the cause of her misery; quite the opposite. I want to make her happy, to be there for her, and to worship her like she deserves. I know Daniel can't give her all of these things.

The drive home is agonizing, each mile dragging on as my mind replays the events of the previous night. When Natalie and I finally enter our home, the familiar surroundings do little to ease the turmoil within me. Our parents and our other two sisters are gathered in the living room, watching TV as if nothing has changed.

Of course, for them, nothing has.

I greet my family with a forced smile, attempting to mask the turmoil within me. Our mom greets us warmly, her eyes filled with curiosity. "How was your trip?" she asks.

Natalie answers before I can, "It was good, Mom. Adam and Mallory have rented a fantastic apartment with a great view. They've even invited Sophia and Emily to their next dinner party."

Sophia and Emily, our younger sisters, snap their heads towards Natalie, their eyes wide with anticipation. "Can we go, Mom?" Sophia asks, her lower lip already pouted.

"Please, Mom!" Emily chimes in, her eyes pleading.

Mom chuckles at their enthusiasm. "Well, you two should ask your brother. Marcus, what do you think?"

Sophia and Emily turn their attention to me, their lower lips pouted in unison. I can't help but smile at their adorable antics. "Can we, Marcus?" Sophia pleads, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"Please, Marcus!" Emily adds, her eyes equally pleading.

I smile at them, relenting, "Of course, I'll take you."

Their faces light up, and they clap their hands happily. I can't help but feel a momentary reprieve from the heaviness that lingers within me.

I take a deep breath, trying to maintain composure, and then announce, "I'll be in my room."

Mom, as if she is sensing something amiss, questions, "Why don't you join us for a movie, Marcus? It's been a while since we had a family movie night."

"I'm tired," I reply, the weariness evident in my voice. "I might go to sleep early."

My exit is met with understanding nods, and I make my way to my room. I enter my room, the weight of the evening settling on my shoulders like an unwelcome companion. Collapsing onto my bed, I let out a heavy sigh. Rubbing my eyes with my hands, I allow the weariness to seep through me. The events of the past few days have left me drained, both emotionally and mentally.

Dropping my hands over my head, I stare up at the ceiling, lost in the maze of conflicting thoughts. Melanie now knows I wasn't cheating on her, but she is still in a relationship with Daniel. The uncertainty hangs in the air, a fog of confusion that clouds my mind. I can't decipher the dynamics of their relationship. She's moving out, but not with Daniel. So, their relationship can't be serious. Right?

Why was Daniel so infuriated by Melanie renting an apartment on her own? The news confused me when Adam shared it last night. Melanie wants her own space, and Daniel doesn't want to live with her, so why the anger? The pieces of this puzzle refuse to fit together, leaving me in a state of perplexity.

Where could the apartment Melanie rented be? Adam mentioned it's close to his old place, which means it must be near my house. The realization sends a jolt through me. This means that I could run into her.

A soft knock on the door interrupts my thoughts, and I sigh as Natalie walks in. I sit up on the bed, offering her a weary smile. "Hey, big bro," she says, taking a seat next to me. "How are you holding up?"

"Terrible," I admit with a shake of my head. The weight of the situation feels almost suffocating.

"I thought so," Natalie nods in understanding and we sit in silence for a minute. Natalie breaks the quiet, her voice gentle. "Marcus, Melanie will come around. Give her some time."

I shake my head, doubt lingering in my mind. "I hope so, Nat, but I'm not sure."

"Why?" she inquires, her eyes searching mine.

I turn to face her, frustration evident in my voice. "Why did Melanie leave last night? She should have stayed."

Natalie points a finger at me, her expression serious. "We all ambushed her, Marcus. It's only natural that she wouldn't be able to act rationally. And when Daniel told her to leave, I'm sure she was probably still processing everything. It was all a bit much for her to handle at once. For anyone for that matter."

I run a hand through my hair, staring out the window. "I hope you're right, Nat."

She gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I am right. Just give her time. She needs to process everything, just like you do."

I can't help but smirk at Natalie's words. "When did you become so wise?" I tease.

She chuckles and replies, "I was always pretty wise."

I pretend to ponder, stroking my chin. "Nah," I finally declare with a grin.

Natalie sticks out her tongue at me, and we both burst into laughter, the tension in the room momentarily lifted. Natalie stands up, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Be patient, Marcus."

I let out a sigh, acknowledging her advice. "I will," I reply.

Natalie smiles at me, the warmth in her gaze comforting. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I respond, watching her leave the room. Natalie is right; patience is key. But right now, I need answers. I need to know if Mallory talked to Melanie.

I grab my phone, fingers tapping out a message to Adam. "Did Mallory talk to Melanie?"

I wait impatiently for Adam's response, my gaze locked on the phone. The seconds stretch into minutes, and finally, a text notification pops up. "Mallory is talking to Melanie right now. I'll call you as soon as they hang up."

Relief washes over me, and I manage a small smile. At least there's progress, a glimmer of hope in the form of a conversation. I settle in, phone in hand, ready to hear the outcome of Mallory's discussion with Melanie.

I really hope there is some good news.