He made no attempt to hide it.

He loved her, wanted to protect her, and it had always been this way. From childhood to adulthood, he treated her as his future wife, guarding her day by day. No one could touch her. If Jared Quinn hadn’t appeared, her place would have been by his side. How could she have gotten involved with Jared Quinn?

How could she have married him,

"Isn’t it just right?" Melody Thorne said, lowering her eyes and tightly gripping the side of the fish tank, restraining herself to speak calmly with Hans Montrose.

"I know you’ve always been the kindest person," Hans Montrose said, placing both hands on her shoulders, turning her body so that she could see her reflection filling his eyes. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Then you’re really wrong!" Melody Thorne shook off the large hands on her shoulders, restraining her emotions. "You’ve changed, and so have I. You’re not the person I trust anymore."

The Hans Montrose of the past would never have lied to her or used her, but now...

Melody Thorne closed her eyes, unable to be cruel to Hans Montrose, after all, in her past life, he had been so good to her.

"I haven’t changed," Hans Montrose said, emotions swirling in his eyes. "I’ve never changed. I’ve always been by your side, protecting and watching over you. You said you wanted to be with Jared Quinn, so I let go. I watched you marry him. After I came back, all I saw and heard was your pain. Melody, no one can compare to me. Only I can love and protect you."

Hans Montrose was speaking so plainly to Melody Thorne for the first time. He had always loved her carefully, but now he loved her so openly. Even fate seemed to be helping him. Why couldn’t he fight for himself for once?

"Enough, Hans Montrose. You clearly know I’m already married to Jared Quinn, and you know we’re very happy now. There are so many people in the world you could try with. Surely there’s someone suitable for you. But please don’t make our relationship worse, alright?"

"Our relationship?" Hans Montrose sarcastically raised the corners of his mouth, looking at her gentle profile. "What do you think our relationship is? Childhood friends? Friends?"

"At least not like it is now. Don’t make me feel like Hans Montrose will do anything to get what he wants!" Melody Thorne turned her head. "Hans Montrose, dare you say you came back here with no other motive?"

"Yes," Hans Montrose openly admitted. "Old Mr. Seymour wanted Stella Seymour to marry me before, but I refused. Now, he intends for you to marry me."

His purpose was crystal clear—he wanted her.

Melody Thorne’s pupils contracted sharply. She had just returned, and the old man was already so anxious to marry her to Hans Montrose. Could it be that he never considered Jared Quinn as his grandson-in-law?

"He can’t be serious!" Melody Thorne opened the door, about to leave. She wanted to confront that old man, a man who had never raised her but wanted to interfere in all her affairs.

Even her marriage was to be nullified!

"Melody," Hans Montrose blocked the door she was about to open, holding her arm firmly, his tall figure pressing her arm against the door, barely a few millimeters away from her.

His long, narrow, charming eyes fell on her palm-sized face. Her skin was really fair, like milk without any blemishes. Her eyes were incredibly beautiful, the closer he got, the more he could see just how beautiful she was.

The scent of her sweet smell lingered between his nostrils, and it was the fragrance he loved.