Chapter 7 Don't Be Fooled

• Noelle stepped forward, flashing her badge.
• The reporters, seeing her credentials, quickly recounted what had just transpired for Noelle. They had come to cover the grand engagement party but instead had witnessed the dramatic scene of Finnley crashing the event to stop the proposal.
• Both Madeline and Noelle leaned in to get a closer look at the footage, and in unison, they exclaimed, "It's him!"
• "That jerk! How is he everywhere?! Now he's even causing trouble at Mel's engagement party!" Madeline clenched her fists in anger, itching to find Finnley and give him a good beating.
• "But Mel's reaction was strange. Why would she leave with him?" Noelle was puzzled. Melanie was usually the most composed and rational one. It didn't make sense for her to act so rashly.
• "Isn't it obvious? That guy must've done something to her! We can't let Mel get fooled. We need to reach her right now!" Madeline, fuming, quickly dialed Melanie's phone number.
• Upstairs, Melanie had just finished changing out of her gown when she heard her phone ring. She answered it immediately.
• "Mel! Where are you? That creep didn't do anything to you, did he?!" came Madeline's frantic voice from the other end.
• Melanie had to pull the phone away from her ear, worried her eardrum might burst from the volume.
• "Mel, are you safe? I'm tracing your phone's location right now. If that guy tries to defile you, I'll make sure he pays for it!"
• "What are you talking about?" Melanie asked, trying not to laugh.
• "Don't hide it, Mel! We heard from the reporters that a creep barged into your engagement party and took you away!" Madeline, still fuming, thought back to how this same guy had harassed her on the train and how she lost all her followers because of it. Her anger flared up again.
• "Don't you recognize him?" Melanie asked. It seemed her sisters hadn't figured it out yet. Then again, it shouldn't be all that surprising. So many years had passed; even she hesitated at first. However, she had seen the unmistakable trace of Finnley in his mannerisms, confirming her suspicions.
• "Huh? What do you mean recognize him? That guy's just a creep, a complete pervert—"
• Melanie couldn't suppress her laughter. "He's Finn!"
• "What?!" Madeline and Noelle looked at each other in shock and uttered the same word in disbelief.
• "If you don't believe me, come over to my place."
• Madeline and Noelle were filled with doubt. Finnley had been missing for so long, and despite their efforts to find him, they had never uncovered any trace. Noelle had even joined the police force partly in the hope of finding him. Over time, she had resigned herself to the painful belief that Finnley might never return, a loss that had weighed on her heart for years. Now, Melanie was claiming that their long-lost brother was alive and standing in front of them? It was hard to believe, almost too magical. But without hesitation, they jumped into their car and sped toward Melanie's home.
• After changing into casual clothes, Melanie came downstairs to see Finnley sitting on the couch, casually drinking a glass of water. Typically, Melanie came across as cold and distant, but when she looked at Finnley, her icy demeanor melted into something tender.
• Finnley glanced around Melanie's small but cozy duplex. It wasn't large, but it had a warmth and sense of home that made him smile.
• "Finn, I'm sorry you'll have to stay in this small house for now," Melanie said apologetically.
• Despite the Fallow family's strictness, Melanie had managed to carve out her own space, and this house was part of her personal assets.
• He had lived in houses much larger than this, but they were always cold and lifeless. Here, in this small house, he felt more at home than he had in years.
• "Life hasn't been kind to you in the past decade, has it?" Melanie walked over, taking Finnley's hand in hers, her eyes welling up with tears as she noticed the scars and calluses covering his hands. "It's our fault. We weren't there for you when you needed us."
• Feeling the softness of Melanie's hands against his, Finnley was momentarily overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. Years of hardship had dulled his sense of feeling, but being with his sister made him realize how much he had missed this—the sense of being cared for, of belonging.
• "But I'm fine now, aren't I, Mel? Don't cry," Finnley said, his heart aching as he saw her tear up.
• "You're right, you're alive, and that's all that matters. Don't worry. From now on, I'll protect you no matter what. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again," Melanie said, her voice filled with resolve.
• Finnley couldn't help but smile at her words. While he was more than capable of protecting her, hearing his sister say that she would protect him was strangely comforting. It brought back the warmth of their childhood.
• Just then, there was a loud knock on the door.
• Melanie wiped her eyes and returned to her usual cool demeanor. "I'll get it."
• "Is it the Fitzalans?" Finnley asked, frowning slightly. To think that f*cker still has the nerve to show up here after that beating.
• "No," Melanie shook her head firmly. Only her sisters knew her address.
• "Who is it, then?" Finnley was curious.
• "You'll see in a moment," Melanie replied, opening the door.
• Finnley glanced toward the entrance and saw Madeline and Noelle standing there, all three gazing wide-eyed.
• "Mel, are you really sure you're not mistaken? Don't let him fool you!" Madeline stormed in, her arms akimbo, glaring down at Finnley. "You want me to believe he's my little brother?!"
• Finnley couldn't help but pout. "Maddie, you were so gentle as a kid, always shy and the best student among us. Didn't you once say you wanted to become a teacher? What happened to that? Why are you a streamer now?"
• Madeline looked like she had seen a ghost. "How… how do you know that?!"
• "Of course, he knows. You and Finn were inseparable when you were kids, weren't you?"