Any man in his position would feel uneasy, yet Marcus opted to remain silent on the matter.

As Melissa retrieved a coat from the wardrobe, she noticed Marcus' clothes entwined with hers. She couldn't but help pause, momentarily stunned by the sight. Putting on the coat, she whispered softly, “You don't have to move in here."

Marcus mulled over her words.

He wasn't naive. Melissa had declined his diamond ring, resisted moving in with him, and showed no genuine desire to be with him.

Her acceptance of him remained surface-level.