Chapter 9
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The officer remained professional but firm. “Sir, the registered owner is Ms. Melissa Bush. She has provided the deed as proof. Please return to the property to clarify matters.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Hugh barked, his voice rising. “That’s my apartment!”
“Sir,” the officer said, his tone growing colder, “the deed lists Ms. Bush as the owner. We need your cooperation to resolve
this.”
Hugh hung up, his jaw clenched. ‘Melissa?’ His mind raced as he rushed to the apartment.
When Hugh arrived, he found Melissa sitting calmly on the couch with two police officers. In her hands was the deed, the sight of which made his stomach drop. His eyes darted between her and the officers, his face flushing with embarrassment and rage.
“This is just a misunderstanding,” he said, forcing a tight smile. “Melissa and I know each other. The apartment used to be mine. There’s no need for all this-I’ll handle it privately.”
Melissa’s cold laugh cut through the tension. “Oh? So you’re saying the deed in my hand is fake?”
Hugh’s frustration boiled over. Whatever pity or guilt he might have felt for her was long gone. The slap at the hospital had wiped out any lingering goodwill. All he saw now was a stubborn ex refusing to let go.
“Melissa, this apartment was mine to begin with,” he said coldly.
“And then you gave it to me,” Melissa shot back, her voice steady. “Legally. That makes it mine now.”
Hugh’s fists clenched at his sides, but with the police watching, he couldn’t lash out. “Don’t push it, Melissa,” he growled through gritted teeth.
Melissa’s stomach churned, but she stood her ground, her voice unwavering. “Push it? Hugh, you betrayed me, and now you think you can bully me into giving up what’s mine?
“You signed a gift agreement, notarized it, and handed me the deed. This apartment is mine, whether you like it or not.”
Hugh, meanwhile, was losing patience. His mind was on his son in the hospital, and the last thing he wanted was to waste time here. If it weren’t for the cops hovering around, he would’ve dragged Melissa out of the apartment himself without a second thought.
In his mind, she had no power, no connections. Even if she had the deed, she couldn’t possibly pull off against someone like him.
Hugh glared at her, his anger barely contained. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. “What do you want?”
Melissa’s eyes didn’t waver. “I want my apartment restored to its original condition. I want compensation for the rent and damages over the years. And I want you out.”
She turned to the police officers. “That’s not unreasonable, is it?”
The officers exchanged a glance before nodding. “It sounds fair.”
Hugh’s chest heaved, his anger practically radiating off him.
It wasn’t about the money. What burned him was Melissa-this woman he used to think was weak and easy to control-now standing there, defiant as hell, talking back to him like he didn’t have the upper hand.
He let out a cold laugh, his tone dripping with mockery. “Keep dreaming.”
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11:57 Sat, 19 Jul
Chapter 9
Melissa didn’t even blink. “Fine. Then we’re done here. Let the police handle it.”
8,95%-
Hugh’s lips curled into a sneer as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing growl. “Melissa, my mom always said you were only with me for the money. I didn’t give a damn back then, but looking at you now? Maybe she was right. Fighting me over one lousy apartment? You’re pathetic.”
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Melissa gritted her teeth, her nails biting into her palms as she forced herself to stay calm. “Pathetic? That’s rich coming from a cheater. You betrayed me, and now you want to steal what’s mine? Listen up, Hugh-I don’t care how long it takes or how messy it gets. I’ll take this to court if I have to, but I’m not letting you win.”
For a moment, Hugh looked taken aback. Then he let out a sharp laugh, his face twisting with cruelty. “No wonder you couldn’t have kids. A woman like you? You’re destined to end up old and alone.”
