Chapter 15 A Month

• "Grandma, have you been waiting for me all this time?"
• Marika smiled gently, gazed at her, and said, "I just got here. Come, have a seat. I've ordered your favorite apple cake."
• Melanie's eyes widened slightly as she gazed at the apple cake before her. She had always been fond of apple and apple cakes but seldom indulged in them due to Benjamin's distaste for the fruit. Yet, whenever she returned to the Moore Manor, Marika would go out of her way to prepare it, knowing it was her favorite.
• She smiled and sat down, savoring each bite of the delicacy in silence. After she finished a piece, she squinted her eyes in satisfaction and exclaimed, "Delicious! It's delightful."
• As Melanie relished every last bite, Marika couldn't help but feel her spirits lifted. So, she gradually steered the conversation toward the main subject.
• "Melanie, now that it's just the two of us, I want you to be honest with me. Why are you so determined to divorce Ben?"
• Melanie's movements froze mid-action, and she felt a pang in her heart as she observed Marika's concerned expression. Throughout her life, she had never truly felt valued, always overshadowed by the preference for boys in her family. Since she knew that she was unable to change her family's mindset, she dedicated herself to studying harder than anyone else. Eventually, she succeeded in gaining admission to the university and pursued her passion for broadcasting. Through her diligent efforts, she obtained her graduation certificate and secured a position at a television station. Though she was just an evening radio host, she found fulfillment in her beloved career.
• "Grandma, I come from a humble background while he is the president of the Moore Enterprise. There exists a significant disparity between us, like an insurmountable chasm. We are incompatible."
• Marika's anger flared up upon hearing Melanie belittling herself, and she couldn't help but interject, "That's just an excuse!"
• Melanie pressed her lips together and stayed silent. Thus, Marika sighed softly and said, "Don't beat around the bush. Tell me, what's the real reason?"
• Melanie understood that Marika wouldn't relent until she got to the bottom of things. So, after a brief moment of contemplation, she softly asked, "Grandma, are you familiar with someone named Sophia?"
• "Hmph, that woman..." Marika furrowed her brows and remarked, "Melanie, you're already aware of her existence?"
• Melanie nodded slowly, a wry smile on her face tinged with dejection. "Yes, I'm aware that they love each other. I know he married me because of my voice. Grandma, I can accept that he doesn't love me, but I can't bear being a mere substitute for someone else. You understand that, don't you?"
• Marika's expression shifted to fury, and she slammed her hand down on the table. "So, this is the reason! Come, I'll take you to confront that scoundrel!"
• Melanie shook her head, and she looked confused. "Grandma, don't you know why he wanted to marry me in the first place?"
• Marika's face contorted with anger. "If I had known he was such a scoundrel, I would have never allowed you to marry him so easily!" She made a motion as if to pull Melanie up from her seat.
• "Grandma, let's just forget about it."
• Marika observed her expression closely and sensed that Melanie had truly given up on Benjamin. "Are you certain about wanting a divorce?"
• Melanie paused for a moment. "A few days ago, he spent the night with her on his birthday and didn't come home," she revealed.
• Marika flew into a rage upon hearing this revelation. "That despicable man! Come on. We're going to confront him!"
• Melanie furrowed her brows slightly and reached out to hold Marika's wrist, speaking softly, "Grandma, please let it be. Allow me to preserve some of my dignity. I have worked hard and put in a lot of effort throughout this year, but perseverance cannot achieve everything. What is forced is not truly mine and won't bring me genuine happiness. So, can you please talk to Grandpa and convince him to provide me with the household registration document?"
• At Moore Manor, Benjamin removed his coat and took a seat. Then, he asked, "What's the matter?"
• Marika cast a resentful glare at her grandson and gave him a cold stare as she spoke, "I saw Melanie today."
• Benjamin's action of drinking tea paused slightly, and he raised an eyebrow as he looked at Marika. They entered a silent standoff, both seemingly waiting for the other to break the silence. Time passed without a word spoken, intensifying the tension. Finally, Marika's anger reached its peak. So, she huffily rose from the couch and forcefully pointed at him with her walking stick.
• "I summoned you here to inform you that if Melanie remains resolute in her decision for another month, I will hand over the document to her. After that, you're on your own!" Marika barked. Then, she turned and swiftly departed the living room, her actions decisive and determined.
• Benjamin's gaze fell upon the teacup in his hand; his expression darkened as he contemplated in silence. Eventually, he gently placed the cup back on the table and shifted his gaze to the side.
• Benjamin's intense gaze unsettled Edward, who responded with a hint of annoyance, "Why are you staring at me? Grandma has the final say in this family. Young man, if you go ahead with the divorce and leave Melanie, mark my words: you'll regret it one day!" It was with a final glare that Edward, too, walked away.
• Benjamin couldn't help but let out a cold snort after being left alone in the living room.