2 Melody’s Proposal Melody’s snapped open, and she sucked in a sharp breath. She surveyed surroundings and noted the vibrant red bed against backdrop of black and hues. The chilling air conditioning sent shivers down spine, reminiscent of the cold embrace of a morgue! It all felt familiar—the unmistakable aura of the Moore estate. But wait—she could see? Her had returned! Melody up and pinched her own face, the pain confirmed her reality! She had been reborn! Back to the years when she had assumed to marry Edward, rumored disfigured and disabled master of the Moore family. Rumors had swirled about Edward, painting him as possessing bloodthirsty violent temperament. Two years prior, the mystery surrounding his plane crash only deepened these perceptions, further exacerbating his sick and terrifying nature. Doctors had grimly predicted that he would not live twenty-nine. Any woman wed was become a widow. The Moore family had handpicked six prospective brides for of whom were driven to madness or fled terror! Coincidentally, the Moore family’s in Suzanna’s led them to her for the marriage. Unable to bear seeing Suzanna wed Edward yet powerless against the influential Moore family, the Shields had pushed Melody, fraternal into taking her sister’s at the altar. Outside room, the familiar sound a wheelchair rolling across the floor by the sudden swinging open. Melody shifted her gaze and of Edward seated a wheelchair, his head slightly his fringe naturally falling over his forehead, partially obscuring dark narrow eyes. skin looked almost under the harsh, cold of room. scars, centipedes, stretched from corners of his eyes to his jawline, defacing once flawless, god-like visage and imparting him the likeness of hellish demon. With long, bony fingers rhythmically against the wheelchair’s veins beneath his skin stood out relief. Edward’s furrowed as he sensed unwelcome presence on the bed, with a sudden motion, he knocked over an antique vase beside him. “Get out!” former life, Melody endured the horrors of Edward’s violent outbursts, escaping only to be intentionally narrowly a fatal outcome. In Maycrest, spoke of Edward’s doomed marriages and fabricated bride who brought forth calamity and deception. One disfigured and disabled, the a calamity, a match seemingly forged in hell! Despite being officially wed to Edward, Melody feared his temper, avoiding him whenever possible. Manipulated Shield family, she even his seal, to billions in losses for the Moore family. it Edward never blamed lavishing with jewels opulent all pursuit of smile. Regrettably, Melody remained on her first love, Kenrick rejecting Edward’s advances and cursing him for her misfortunes. rejected his advances with disdain as though discarding worn-out shoes. She even went so far as to obliterate his affections. Cursing for her she compelled him divorce her and leave the country brokenhearted. After their divorce, she fell victim to the Shield family’s deceit, to a five-year sentence and her eventual demise bars. with memories flooding back, Melody was overwhelmed heartache. had cherished deeply in her former life, steadfastly loyal even unto death! Watching the man once knew, now broken and struggling with illness loved ones kept distance, leaving him isolated. But this life, Edward, you have me by your side! Therefore, Melody lifted her delicate porcelain-like visage towards door, eyelashes like her fragrant and fair complexion radiating confidence despite the fears of her as she approached him with a gentle and sweet voice. Moore, as tonight our night, do you wish me to leave? do you imply that we should retire in bed?” “Regrettably, the six brides preceding you and your father may be aware your condition… impotence. Melody reminisced about her life when Edward’s plane crashed, leaving injuries, disfigurement, and loss of functions. It him to recover until the second year of their marriage, rendering incapable of consummating the marriage. Essentially, Edward was indeed unable to fulfill the marital obligations now. With these words, expression darkened. “You are not Suzanna!” “Who are you?” Edward’s knuckles clenched around wheelchair his sharp eyes growing cold and indifferent. Yet, hint suspicion began to into his gaze. Wasn’t standing afraid of him? Melody gracefully from the bed, her bare feet padding against floor way to the door. Draped in a red, enchanting nightgown chosen by the Moore she radiated elegance and allure. Despite the sparkling her her beauty was marred by red pimples, a subtle imperfection her charm. Leaning she positioned herself beside Edward’s wheelchair, wrists resting lightly on its sides. Her eyes shimmered like the their depths holding a hint of determination. With dimples gracing her cheeks, she “My is Melody Tucker, the elder Suzanna, your wife. “The festivities outside unabated. Should you dare to dismiss me again, shall make our situation known to all,” declared calmly, her voice unwavering. “And as for Mr. Moore… He has impotence,” she added boldly, her words causing a discomfort across Edward’s forehead. A sardonic smile on his lips he responded, “Are you threatening me?” Suddenly, fragrant and supple nestled his lap, delicate hand reaching up to his uttered, “No, it’s Mr. Edward betraying flash of hostility amidst their usual indifference. With a harsh press of his knuckles against her waist, he coldly ordered, “Leave. I no for it. And with a unceremonious expelled the delicate girl embrace. He need woman his one who to have hidden agendas. Thrown Melody landed on the carpet, experiencing no pain, but her skipped. She knew well that this man not the who once been willing to sacrifice for her. encounter marked meeting in life, strangers bound by a tangled web of fate. Given current condition, Melody couldn’t anticipate him holding any deep affection for her. However, in her previous life, he had to rest with care, pursued retribution on her and harbored profound love for her. couldn’t her on him now. that the case? What if could remedy your hidden ailment?” her voice composed resolute. Moore, let’s make a pact. you don’t wish to endure life as man indefinitely, you?” Standing up, Melody approached Edward, discreetly holding an electrode between her fingers. Tonight, she faced unknown fear, so she had surreptitiously concealed an electrode in skirt for safety. In a swift Melody approached Edward taking him by surprise, applied the electrode to a pressure point on his leg. Meanwhile, gun was aimed directly at her head. “What have you done master, Ms. Shield?” Sacher, the bodyguard, a grave as he held the gun poised girl’s head, the glinting ominously in the dim light after an unknown duration of hiding. A gentle pull of trigger lead to a fate more than that the previous six substitute brides. However, eyebrows slightly, and he quickly pulled the blanket had his cover his lower body, his expression souring. Edward’s demeanor shifted, expression betraying a mixture of his breathing slightly uneven coldly instructed Bernard to halt. Bernard’s eyes darted in wheelchair Melody, widening suddenly. He her with animated expression, a mix of surprise and curiosity evident on his face. Lowering the gun, he positioned himself obediently Edward. “Does Mr. Moore trust me?” fingertips curled, faint smile tugging at corner of her lips, although cold trickled from her forehead jaw. She remained in shock, her heart quivering uncontrollably. In this new life, she had no desire meet her so abruptly at the of a gun. “Edward, I have the capability to not only cure your hidden ailment but also address your leg condition. However, it require some to the necessary Melody him. “I was forced into marriage in place of Suzanna by the Shield family, with no concern for my well-being. Now, I seek here,” she addressing Mr. “Rest Mr. Once I have enough to support myself, I promptly seek a and won’t trouble you any further,” added, assuring him of intentions. exchange treatment, condition is that I must remain in the for the time being,” clarified. her previous life, had successfully her brother’s leg. Just she sat in Edward’s arms, she discreetly pinched his leg. muscles had not meaning there still chances of recovery! the gazed at with determination shining in her eyes, reminiscent stars in the night sky. the turned to the family, Melody help but feel a pang sorrow, causing a hint of redness at the corners of her eyes. refused shed a tear, her resilience. appearing petite and as if she could be easily overwhelmed, the determination and stubbornness were unmistakable and striking. With just one look, felt a of familiarity, as if something deep within him had been stirred. He avoided her gaze his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly while he took electrode from his leg handed it Melody. Without word, turned his wheelchair and left, leaving with the parting words, “The is yours. bodyguard, astonishment. Moore agreed to retain “disastrous” girl?