Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law-Chapter 66: Rules

She felt like a thief as she tiptoed out of the room at the break of dawn. A panda-eyed thief at that. The reason? Adam and his maddening, uninvited invasion of her dreams.

It wasn't enough that he had taken over her days with his presence and she would now have to live with him, no, he had to haunt her nights too. And now, after hours of tossing, turning, and mentally cursing him, she was exhausted.

Carefully stepping over the scattered moving boxes, she made her way toward the kitchen, determined to have breakfast in peace before setting the house in order. More importantly, before Adam could wake up and claim the space around her, she would be safely ensconced in her room.

Reaching the island, she scanned the grocery bag and quickly retrieved a box of cereal. Simple. Quick. No unnecessary noise or consuming time. Just as she grabbed a bowl from the shelf, a soft sound from behind made her freeze.

Her heart kicked into overdrive. Shi*

Slowly, she turned, already bracing for the worst.

And there he was.

Adam Collins. Real. Awake. And looking far too hot for this early in the morning. He was still dressed the same way he was last night.

Loose black shorts still hanging low on his hips. Bare chest. A knowing smirk curving his lips.

"Good morning, Melon," he drawled, voice still rough with sleep. Her breath caught.

Oh. She was so unbelievably and definitely screwed.

Melanie scowled, folding her arms across her chest as she tried—and failed—not to let her gaze dip below. "Put on some clothes."

Adam tilted his head, clearly amused. "I am wearing clothes." He stretched his arms lazily, as if putting himself on display, the movement drawing attention to the defined lines of his torso. "See? Shorts. Perfectly acceptable morning attire."

Her scowl deepened as she looked where he was pointing. Shamelesss man. "That," she jabbed a finger in his direction, "is not decent. You need to be properly dressed in the common area. This is shared space."

Adam grinned, leaning casually against the counter. "Ah. So, we're laying down ground rules now? "

"Yes," she snapped, crossing the kitchen to put some much-needed distance between them. She grabbed her cereal box like it was a lifeline. "We need rules. Boundaries."

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He tsked, shaking his head. "You wound me, Melon. We haven't even been roommates for twenty-four hours, and you're already trying to control me. Come on, let's wait for some time."

"I wouldn't have to if you had basic decency," she shot back, pouring cereal into her bowl with more force than necessary. "First rule: You wear a shirt when you're outside your room."

Adam hummed, rubbing his chin as if giving it serious thought. "And if I don't? I like you ogling me."

Melanie grimaced and scrunched up her face in pure disgust as she denied, "I would not ogle you."

"Sure, Melon. I believe you." Even though he said the words, his expression directly opposed them. He did not believed her. But, he held up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll make sure to decently cover myself next time. Wouldn't want to distract you."

Her mouth opened, ready to fire back, but before she could get a word out, Adam smoothly reached forward and plucked the bowl of cereal right from her hands.

"What the—" She stared, dumbfounded, as he casually took a spoonful and popped it into his mouth. "You... That is mine..."

"Come on, melon! How can you begrudge your man a simple bowl of cereal? I am yours, this bowl is yours, so effectively we are both yours..."

Melanie rolled her eyes and quickly filled up another bowl and marched away from the kitchen. She did not have the energy to get into this now...

She stomped towards the living room, clutching her fresh bowl of cereal like a prized possession. All she wanted was some peace, but no, she had to be stuck with him.

Settling onto the couch, she shoved a spoonful into her mouth, chewing aggressively as she stared at the blank TV screen. Maybe if she focused hard enough, she could will Adam Collins out of existence.

Unfortunately for her, the man seemed to have no intention of disappearing.

A moment later, he strolled in, still barefoot, still annoyingly shirtless, and still carrying her stolen bowl of cereal. He plopped down beside her, stretching his long legs out like he owned the place.

Melanie shot him a glare. "Why are you following me?"

Adam scooped up a spoonful of cereal, chewing thoughtfully before grinning and answering," There is no place to sit in the kitchen. We need to get some chairs for that, Melon, so I came here until we get those chairs."

She exhaled slowly but said nothing. Maybe if she avoided him, he will disappear for sure?

"Tell me, Melon, what's our next rule? We discussed only one rule. So, should the second one be- No eating each other's food??

Melanie huffed. "I should make a rule against stealing breakfast."

Adam plopped down on the other side of the couch and shrugged, "It wasn't stealing. I was only reaffirming what you said. Supporting your words."

"Theft is theft! Don't try to make it look like you were supporting me." Melanie glared at him.

He chuckled and only shoved more cereal into his mouth.

Melanie shook her head, focusing on her cereal. If she ignored him long enough, maybe he'd get bored and leave. No such luck.

After a beat of silence, Adam glanced at her bowl. Then, at his own. Then, back at her.

Melanie felt the shift immediately. Slowly, she turned her head. "No."

Adam waggled his brows. "Trade?"

She tightened her grip on her bowl. "Absolutely not."

"But what if—"

"Adam, I swear to God, if you even think about—"

Too late. He lunged.

With a squeak, Melanie shot up, holding her bowl high above her head. Adam followed, a devilish grin on his face as he reached for it. She twisted away just in time, barely dodging him and keeping her bowl from upending its contents.

"Give it up, Melon. Sharing is caring."

"You already have my cereal, you greedy pig!"

"Yes, but yours suddenly looks better and sweeter. Let me have a taste..."

She narrowed her eyes and glared at him threateningly. "You wouldn't dare."

Adam smirked. "Wouldn't I?"

And then—he moved.

With a yelp, Melanie darted around the couch, holding the bowl close to her. Adam followed her, doing his best to corner her between the couch and the wall, until he eventually succeeded.

"Nowhere to run," he murmured triumphantly as he started to walk towards her.

Melanie's mind raced. She could either surrender her breakfast... or fight back.

She made her choice.

Without hesitation, she dipped her spoon into the cereal and flicked it at him. He wanted her food? Let him have it.

The milk-splattered impact landed right on his chest.

For a second, silence.

Then, Adam looked down at the mess, the milk dripping down his abs...

Melanie slapped a hand over her mouth, pretending that she was horrified, but honestly she was only covering her laughter as she whispered," Oops..."

Adam lifted his gaze, slow and predatory. "Oh, you're dead, Melon."

With a squeal, Melanie ran towards her room, closing it behind her as she tried to catch her breath. Hol* shit! What did she do? She'd given herself more images to fantasize too as her overactive imagination now provided her with the question of how the milk would taste if she were to lick it off his abs...