Melanie, oblivious to Ezra’s shock, stepped inside and flicked on the lights before speaking with a light, teasing tone, “I heard Ms. Stout is missing. You must be so lonely, huh?” she cooed, walking further into the room. “I came to keep you company. And I even wore your favorite outfit.”
With a sly smile, Melanie slowly slipped off her coat to reveal the lingerie beneath it, her movements slow and deliberate, aiming to please Ezra.
She knew Ezra would take the bait, and she would do anything to make him happy. She figured Ezra would be upset that Shermaine had left home, but even during his sadness, she was confident she could entice him.
Melanie couldn’t help but think–Shermaine was gone, and this was her chance to become the true Mrs. Yarbrough
With that thought, she spun around, ready to make her move, but the sight of Ezra caught her off guard.
He didn’t look like the man she knew–the confident, well–groomed Ezra with an air of power. His face was gaunt, his eyes sunken, and his unshaven face made him look disheveled. His once–pristine suit was wrinkled, and the unmistakable stench of alcohol lingered in the air.
Most unsettling of all, though, was the look in his eyes. Cold. Unfeeling
It wasn’t desire. It wasn’t even indifference. It was something darker–something close to hatred.
+15 BONUS
Trying to mask her shock, Melanie put on a forced smile and moved closer to Ezra, her hips swaying provocatively as she tried to
win him over.
“Ezra, don’t you like this outfit?” she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of playfulness and seduction. “How about we take a shower together? I’ll take care of you. Forget about Shermaine–tonight is just for us.”
Her fingers, delicate as they were, slid up his chest, but before she could make another move, Ezra suddenly gripped her wrist with crushing force. The pressure was so intense that Melanie winced in pain, her eyes widening in shock
“Ezra, it hurts! Please… ease up!” she gasped, but all she received in return was his cold, mocking laugh.
With a swift motion, Ezra yanked Melanie toward the door, dragging her helplessly behind him. Her 4–inch–high heels, meant to enhance her allure, clattered on the floor as she stumbled, struggling to keep up.
Without a second glance, Ezra tossed her out into the cold hallway, her body hitting the floor with a thud.
Melanie lifted her head, her expression shifting to one of feigned innocence. Her eyes were brimming with fake tears as she tried to tug at his heartstrings.
“Ezra, what’s wrong? Did I do something to upset you?” she asked.
Ezra’s jaw clenched, his words dripping with fury. “Didn’t I tell you? Stay out of my life with Shermaine. Why the hell are you here? I’m warning you for the last time: This house belongs to Shermaine, not you. And as long as I haven’t found her, you’d better not show your face here again.”
