Page 64 of Road to Rosalee

‘Oh, love, how so?’

‘I slept with him.’ She felt her cheeks redden and her insides squeeze with shame. ‘Before I told him I was still married.’

‘Oh, okay. Right. Well, that does change things.’ Sarah didn’t sound judgemental in the slightest, but very concerned. ‘I know Zai, and he wouldn’t have taken the news well.’

‘No, he didn’t. Not at all.’ Plucking a tissue, Melody blew her nose and wiped at her cheeks.

‘You can’t help who you fall in love with, Melody, and you also can’t help falling out of love with someone who has treated you like Antonio has. I do think you need to call it quits with him sooner rather than later. Before you try to sort out this mess with Zai.’

Melody sat up straighter, squaring her slumped shoulders. ‘You’re right. I need to call him today.’

‘Yes, I think that’s a good idea. And honestly, if Zai was being honest when he said he’s in love with you, give it some time. True love doesn’t go away easily, Melody, so don’t give up on him yet, okay?’

‘Okay. Thank you.’ She heaved in a breath. ‘Can you please keep this between us for now?’

‘Of course. You want to tell your father yourself?’

‘Yes, and I’d like to do that to his face, when you get here.’

‘Of course. Girl code it is. My lips are sealed.’

‘Thank you, Sarah, for everything.’

‘Don’t mention it, love. You’re family, and I’ll always be here for you, anytime, day or night, always. I don’t ever want you to feel alone.’

‘You’re an amazing woman, Sarah.’ Raw emotion squeezed Melody’s heart and brought fresh tears to her eyes, but these ones were born of feeling valued as part of the Walsh family. ‘Hearing you say that truly means the world to me.’

‘Stop it, you’re making me cry now.’ Sarah sniffled. ‘Now, off you go. Pull on those big girl boots and sort this out so you and Zai can live happily ever after and give me and your father our very first grandchild.’

The very thought of getting to a place like that with Zai buoyed Melody’s heart – what a dream life that would be, in a prefect world. ‘Onto it. Bye, Sarah.’

‘Bye lovely. We will see you tomorrow, and please call me if you need me in the meantime, okay?’

‘Okay, I promise I will. Bye for now.’ Hanging up, Melody felt the strength she needed to make things as right as she possibly could – even if that meant she and Zai would only be friends. If that were the case, she’d just have to find a way to deal with it.

Her heart pounding, she dialled Antonio’s mobile number. It rang … and rang … and rang. Just as she was about to hang up, a woman’s voice answered. ‘Hello.’

Melody blinked. ‘I’m sorry, I must have dialled the wrong number.’

‘Oh, who were you after?’ The woman’s voice was unfamiliar.

‘Antonio.’ Melody’s eyes narrowed.

‘Oh, okay, and who are you?’

‘I’m Melody. And who, may I ask, are you?’ She sucked in a strident breath with a sudden realisation that she was talking to the buxom blonde she’d briefly met behind the gym. ‘Is that you, Kelly?’

‘Uh-huh …’ There was a pause, and then a gasp. ‘Oh my god, Melody! He told me you guys broke up when you left town.’

Melody’s voice hitched. ‘He did, did he?’

There were muffled angry voices before Antonio’s came down the line. ‘Hey, I wasn’t expecting a call from you.’

‘Clearly.’ She cringed, more for Kelly’s sake than his. ‘Do you have something you’d like to tell me, Antonio?’

Antonio cleared his throat. ‘Oh, yeah, well—’

‘You don’t have to lie or try to explain yourself. We’ve grown apart, Antonio, and we’re holding on to a shadow of ourselves, and for the sake of what?’