Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law-Chapter 243: Dead

"I don’t know how I feel," Adam said as he came back from the burial, brushing some dirt off his sleeve like it might distract him from everything else. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"You don’t have to know," Melanie replied. "You don’t need to put a name on it. If you’re sad, be sad. If you’re relieved, feel that. You don’t have to explain anything—not even to yourself."

Adam scratched his chin and tilted his head. "What if I’m feeling horny?"

Melanie had been walking toward him, maybe to offer a hug or just stand nearby, but she stopped dead in her tracks. Then, with an almost comic snap, she backed up a full step like the floor had turned hot.

Adam started laughing. "You’re too easy, Melon. That was too easy."

Adam was still chuckling to himself when the front door banged open. A pair of sneakers thudded rapidly down the hallway, and before either of them could fully register the sound, Adir skidded into the room like he’d been running from a storm.

He spotted Melanie first. Or at least he seemed to. Adam watched as Adir made a beeline for her. Adir Collins had selective vision for sure.

Without a word, Adir had run straight up to Melanie, his chest heaving. His eyes were wide and focused entirely on Melanie. She turned toward him, blinking in surprise as Adir stopped just a foot away. They stared at each other in complete silence.

Melanie looked down. He didn’t say anything. He just... stared. Something about the weight of his gaze made her straighten her posture, as if the kid was trying to see through her skin and bones.

Then, without a word, he motioned downward—just a little flick of his hand. A direct order.

Melanie crouched.

They were now face to face. His eyes were searching hers, serious in a way no child his age should’ve had to be.

"Are you going to be my mother?" he asked quietly.

Melanie’s breath caught. Her hands went to her knees for balance as she almost fell back. Okay, she had agreed to adopt him, but being a mother was quite a jump that she had not yet thought about. She wondered what she should say. Was he angry or worried about having her as a mother. Just when she was thinking on what to say and how, Adir continued, "Father said you were going to adopt me," Adir added, still watching her like he hadn’t decided yet if that was a good thing.

Melanie was just about to respond when Adam’s voice cut in from behind her.

"Hey, hey! Mr. Adir Collins," he called out and with a flick of his hand, lifted the kiddo by the scruff of his neck and directly onto his arm, " Let’s get the facts straight: I am adopting you. Me. So that makes me your father. He grinned when Adir frowned and then said, "And that means she’s your mother. That’s how it works, okay? We come as a set."

Adir’s face twisted. He wrinkled his nose like the air had just turned sour. "Don’t remind me," he muttered.

Adam laughed. "Rude!"

Melanie glanced between them, half-exasperated, half-amused. "That’s probably the most accurate reaction he could’ve had."

Adir folded his arms. "Why can’t I just be adopted by one of you? Do I have to have both? Hoenstly, you’re my brother if my father is your father, right? I really would like you better as a brother, rather than a father."

"You don’t like me?" Adam asked, mock-wounded, clutching his chest like he’d been shot.

"You’re loud," Adir replied flatly. "And weird. And I said I’d be okay to have you as my brother! Are you not listening? So dramatic you are."

Melanie bit her lip to keep from smiling. She reached out and ruffled Adir’s hair, "You’ll get used to him. I haven’t yet, but that gives me hope. But if you keep him as your brother, then I can be your sister in law.

Adam gave her an accusing look. "Traitor."

She raised an eyebrow. "Truth-teller."

Adir watched them for a moment longer, then looked down at the floor.

"I guess, I don’t really care," he mumbled. "As long as I don’t have to go anywhere else."

Adam’s hold tightened on Adir and he tapped the little boy’s chin, "Are you worried about father? And worried that if you call me father, then he would go away or feel bad?"

Adir looked up and gave a wondering look to Adam. It was true. He was okay with having a mother now but why did he have to call someone else his father? Even if it was Adam.

Adam watched Adir carefully, his smile softening. He adjusted the kid slightly on his arm, then said, "You know, Melanie has a really big heart. Ridiculously big. Borderline medically concerning."

Melanie snorted quietly.

Adam continued, "And the only thing that matters to her—and to me—is that you want to be here. That you want to be part of this family. You could call me ’brother,’ ’uncle,’ ’Captain Handsome’—"

"Gross," Melanie said.

"-or whatever else makes you feel okay inside. It’s not about the title. We’ll still love you like parents do. No matter what you call us."

Adir looked down at Adam’s shoulder, then across at Melanie. "Even if I never call you ’father’? Would you be okay with it?"

Adam hesitated, then with a look at the vulnerable expression, he nodded. "Even then. We’re not here to take anything away from father. We just want to make sure you feel safe. Like you belong. That’s the only thing that matters."

Adir was quiet for a moment, chewing on that thought. Then he looked at Melanie again.

"Then even if I call her sister in law, will she really be like my mom?" Adir asked tentatively.

This time it was Melanie who answered," Of course. And I am warning you, I will be a very strict sister in law. I need at least three hundred hugs in a day..."

Adir’s eyes lit up at that and he nodded hurriedly.

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