Chapter 327
“It’s not that sudden,” Melanie sald. “We agreed before that I’ll move back once the house in the North district is ready”
Melanie’s words were delivered lightly, but her feelings were indescribably complicated. She had initially dismissed the jokes Yvonne and Reny made about her and Xander
However, with Eugene repeatedly bringing him up, she could not help but start considering it. She did not need to drag Xander into her matters.
Xander’s gaze lingered on Melanie, full of scrutiny and gravity that had not been there before. Yet, in just a moment, he withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly. “I’ll help you.”
Melanie had wanted to decline, but before she could say anything, Xander had already walked away. She had already made the decision to move back, and it was still early. Melanie started packing her things as soon as she returned to the villa
Surprised by Melanie’s decision to move back, Reny asked, “Melanie, did we somehow disturb you? Why are you suddenly moving back?”
Carrying a suitcase down the stairs, Melanie just shook her head and replied, “No, it’s just that my house in the North district has been repaired and renovated. I don’t want to trouble you all
anymore.
“Besides, Xander and I had agreed that once everything was done with the house, I’d move back there.”
Reny tried to persuade her, “Can’t you wait a bit longer? It’d be great if we could stay together. It’s also convenient for work and everything.”
“I’ll come here every day. Taking the bypass around the city won’t take much time,” Melanie replied.
Her decision was firm, so the others did not press further.
Only Xander remained expressionless. He took the suitcase from Melanie’s hands and calmly said, “Your hand was injured. Let me take this.”
He was referring to the time when Melanie accidentally hit a guardrail while driving. It was a minor sprain that had mostly healed, though occasional pain lingered.
Melanie had not told anyone about it, so she wondered how Xander found out.
Without saying a word, Xander lifted Melanie’s luggage into the car. Since she only had minimal belongings, the two cars were just enough to transport them.
When they arrived at the residential area in the North district, Xander helped Melanie carry her luggage into the apartment. Melanie then said, “I’ll take care of the rest. Thank you for today.”
Xander glanced deeply at her before turning away.
Even though the old house had been cleaned, it exuded a sense of emptiness and solitude that spoke of long neglect.
After closing the door, Melanie looked at the boxes piled up in the living room, feeling a wave
of exhaustion wash over her. Despite being on the first floor, the greenery outside had been mostly cut. Light spilled in nicely when she opened the windows.
Melanie decided to sit cross–legged in the living room as she slowly began unpacking one of the boxes. Inside were various small items, a mishinash of everything.
There were the two ceramic figurines that Stephen had given her, books borrowed from
Xander, and random dolls she had bought on a whim.
Each item she picked up brought back memories of the time it was acquired.
Yet, all that excitement and joy seemed to vanish without a trace as the items were placed on the ground. Melanie realized it had been a long time since she felt jubilant happiness.
Emotions that had been worn down by her busy life suddenly surged back during this quiet evening like a tide. Despite this, the emotions left no ripples.
Sitting on the floor, Melanie stared at the items in her hands blankly until the sound of knocking on the door brought her thoughts back.
She got up to open the door and there stood Xander again, this time holding a cake and a few takeout boxes. He lifted the items, his expression still calm. “Congratulations on the move. It’s worth celebrating.”
Melanie blinked before replying slowly, “This doesn’t quite count as a move worth celebrating.
