Chapter 19 Melanie was so direct that Stephen was at a loss for words. "It doesn't matter if you don't want to." Melanie lowered her eyes and felt like she had made a mistake. "I was just asking casually. Don't take it seriously." Stephen was silent for a moment before he said, "I'm sorry, Mel. Can I ask why?" "It's nothing." Melanie said, "I've been single for too long, so I think I should start dating ." She did not mention Eugene, and Stephen did not ask. After dinner, Stephen sent her back. home. As a result, she bumped into Eugene at the entrance of the neighborhood. Eugene's black Bentley was parked next to Stephen's car. Eugene glanced at Melanie, who had just gotten out of the car, before he looked at Stephen. Stephen greeted Eugene. "Good evening." Eugene hummed and said meaningfully, "Ms. Smith, it seems like you're not just capable of doing business." Melanie could hear the sarcasm, but she did not understand why Eugene was mocking her. Eugene was dating Viola, yet he was afraid that Viola would feel insecure, so he hinted that Melanie should find herself a boyfriend. Why was he mocking her now? Melanie lowered her eyes for a moment and turned to Stephen to say goodbye. "Sorry to trouble you. I'll wash your coat before returning it to you." Stephen smiled and shook his head. "It's fine. It's just an old coat. Melanie knew that Stephen was just saying this to be polite. She had overstepped her bounds by asking Stephen a sensitive question. The reason Stephen still sent her home was due to his good upbringing. Melanie had her period, so she was in so much pain that she broke into a cold sweat in the middle of the night. With a pale face, she went out to the living room to get some painkillers. Then she huddled on the sofa in discomfort and fell asleep. His eyes fell on Melanie's face before he slowly frowned and asked, "Do you have a fever?" "No , I just have my period," Melanie said. Her menstruation cycle was very consistent. Eugene used to remember it because he would never go to her during her period. Melanie used to think that Eugene was being thoughtful, but she later realized that he just found it troublesome. "Is something wrong?" Melanie asked. Melanie's fingers felt cold again because she could feel the breeze at the door. Eugene looked at his phone and said, "It's still early. Shall I take you to the hospital?" He said this casually. It was obvious that he did not mean it and only offered it to be polite. Melanie paused and said, "No, it's not that serious." Hearing this, Eugene did not say anything else. He looked at his phone and replied to a message before he left. When Melanie returned to the dining table, her soup was already slightly cold. Melanie originally planned to rest at home, but she did not expect that Eugene would come back. This time, he brought Viola with him. Title: A Fated Encounter In "A Fated Encounter" by CrushReels, a captivating modern romance unfolds. Emma Brown finds herself entangled in a complex web of family obligations when her father, Henry, pressures her to marry Tommy Anderson in place of her sister Bella to salvage their struggling business. As Emma navigates this unexpected turn of events, she discovers that Tommy is not the man rumors portray him to be. Their relationship evolves beyond mere obligation, revealing layers of depth and emotion amidst the backdrop of societal expectations and personal desires. This novel delves into themes of duty, love, and self-discovery as Emma grapples with conflicting emotions and the realization that fate may have a different plan in store for her. With nuanced character development and a unique twist on the conventional romance narrative, "A Fated Encounter" stands out as a compelling tale of love and sacrifice. Experience this engrossing story online at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where destiny intertwines with the complexities of the heart.