Chapter 857

Melanie’s birthday party was lively, and it was already late when she returned home at night. Meredith, the little girl, was already asleep from playing so much.

“Let me carry her,” Xander whispered. The smell of barbecue was strong, and Xander did not like such greasy food, so he did not eat much. He remained clean and fresh without a trace of smoke on him.

Meredith had grown a bit, naturally becoming heavier. It was indeed hard for Melanie to carry her throughout. She thanked Xander and handed over Meredith to him.

Xander remarked, “She’s gained so much weight in just three months?”

“You said it yourself that it’s been three months,” Yvonne said, returning and joining them.

“In three months, flowers could have withered by now. You just came back. Not to mention Merry gaining weight, Melanie could’ve even conceived a sibling for her during this time.”

Yvonne had been drinking and was not paying much attention to her words. Melanie felt awkward for a moment, but Xander just chuckled.

Melanie glanced at him. “What are you laughing at?”

“It’s a good thing the flowers haven’t withered,” Xander said.

Melanie looked at Xander, wanting to say something but hesitating.

A few days after Melanie’s birthday, Yvonne and the others had to return to Nava. They had work to wrap up there, Melanie thought Xander would also leave with them, but Xander said he would wait a few more days before leaving.

“Do you have something else to do in Jepton? You mentioned before that there were important matters you hadn’t dealt with,” she asked.

Xander paused. “There are some other things, but the most important matter has been taken care of.”

Melanie acknowledged with a hum. Since Xander did not continue, she did not press further.

After a minute of silence, Xander could not help but laugh. The next moment, he looked helpless.

Aren’t you even curious about what it is?”

“Is it work–related or something to do with your family?” Melanie asked earnestly, without any suggestive intent.

Xander did not know how to respond. After a moment of silence, he sighed. “Apart from celebrating your birthday, I can’t think of anything more important.

Chamker 857 “Mel, you make me seem so foolish.”

Xander rarely joked like this. He truly felt at a loss because of Melanie. He thought she would at least ask another question. However, as Xander kept thinking, he ended up laughing at himself.

From the first day he met Melanie, be should have known she was the most disciplined and would not cross boundaries.

Melanie felt a bit embarrassed by his laughter. “It’s not that you’re foolish. It’s just that I didn’t think about it.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her phone, which was placed nearby, rang. As soon as she answered, her smile froze on her face.

Cedric’s voice was heard asking, “Haven’t you considered bringing your daughter to see me?”

With just that sentence, he hung up, and all the joy on Melanie’s face disappeared.

At first, she dared not reveal Meredith’s existence mainly because of Cedric. Cedric had been able to harm her before, and now, he could harm Meredith too.

However, as long as they stayed in Jepton, he could always discover them.

Melanie wanted to leave as soon as possible, not just to avoid Timothy but also to stay away from Cedric