The Substitute Bride

Leila's face looked sincere and worried when she spoke. Thus, Melissa believed her. Besides, Leila was her only hope at that moment. Melissa felt blessed. Seeing Leila touched her deeply. She was overwhelmed by her old cellmate's assistance.

"But Leila, why are you here? How did you find me?" Melissa couldn't help asking. She greatly appreciated that Leila came to help her, but she was a cautious woman who always wanted to take control of any given situation.

Leila slightly turned her head away to conceal the disgust in her eyes and replied calmly, "A friend of mine happened to be in the same room as you when it happened and called me afterward. That's how I knew in the first place. I immediately booked a ticket for the earliest possible flight. Before I even arrived, I had already asked my friend to find out where you were being kept. Finally, I succeeded! I found you. I gave those guys the money and they set you free. That's the story, Melissa. Thank God you're safe and sound. Otherwise, I would blame myself for the rest of my life."

Melissa smiled at her with gratitude and believed every word she said. Tears formed in her eyes as what happened the previous day played in her mind. She grabbed Leila's hand, but she couldn't utter a single word. Instead, she sobbed quietly.

Leila patted her hand to calm her down and took a bottle of water from her bag. "It's okay, Melissa. It's over. Have some water, please," she said as she handed Melissa the bottle. The concern in her voice sounded so genuine that Melissa thought Leila was the only person in the world who cared about her.

She took the bottle, opened it, and took a few sips. The coolness of the water eased her nerves and made her temporarily forget the brutality she had just experienced.

"How do you feel now? If you feel anything wrong, please tell me. I'll talk to the doctor," Leila said.

Her thoughtfulness and attention overwhelmed Melissa.

She sighed. 'A friend in need is a friend indeed, ' she thought. She never imagined that Leila would be saving her from a group of gangsters. The incident reminded her of how they met. She thought back to the days they spent together in their dingy prison cell. There, they got to know each other and helped each other survive prison life. They had promised that they would be friends forever and that they would help each other should the need arise. But when they were set free and she began living a decent life with her son once again, she gradually grew tired of Lei

t refuse, but she remained standing in front of the mirror, seemingly waiting.

Leila was slightly annoyed at Melissa's reaction. She wondered about the change in the woman's demeanor after her shower, but she reminded herself to be patient. Playing her cards right would pay off eventually. Once she had moved back into Dream Garden and made up with Charles, she could forget all about Melissa.

After eating the meal which Leila bought for her, Melissa went to bed to catch up on some sleep. Leila, in the meantime, gathered Melissa's clothes and took them to the cleaners.

Melissa fell asleep quickly and soundly, and she dreamed she was taking a walk in the warm sunshine.

When Leila came back with her clean clothes, Melissa had already gotten up and was standing in front of the window, looking out of it while holding a cup of tea.

She smiled at Leila before changing in the bathroom. When she came out, Leila noted that her face had a noticeably healthy glow. She looked nothing like she did when she was locked up in the dark the previous night.

"You look fabulous, Aunt Melissa," Leila exclaimed with delight. Her smiling face shone over Melissa like the golden rays of the sun.

"Thank you, Leila. It's all because of you. I mean it," Melissa replied.

"You're talking like that again. I wish you all the best, Melissa. You are more like family than a friend. I'll always be there for you. It's a pity we can't see each other every day," she said earnestly, which revived Melissa's guilt. She began suspecting whether she was right to have asked Leila to move out of their house, and what Charles would say if she insisted on taking Leila back.