He replied, "I already cleaned up."

Melissa didn't push him. She smoothed his shirt and said softly, "Let's head back after dinner."

Marcus eyed the tousled bed and grinned. “Is this our spot for our secret rendezvous from now on?"

She shot him a glance.

During dinner, she seemed preoccupied and barely touched her food.

Marcus lifted his gaze. “That won't do. You have to eat more.”

Melissa shook her head. “I just can't."

He studied her for a moment, and then decided not to push it but he also lost his appetite. As they got into the car, Melissa asked, “Aren't you hungry? Marcus, you don't need to eat as little as I do."

Gazing ahead, Marcus smiled and replied, "When you're not hungry, it kills my appetite too."

Melissa felt a twinge of emotion.

Throughout the drive, Marcus received several calls. The first few were from Thomas, urging Melissa to attend Weldon's funeral but Marcus intercepted them.

In a cold, distant tone, Marcus told Thomas, "Melissa and I aren't married yet, so she won't attend the Smith family's condolences. Plus, she's too fragile to handle such things. Please, Mr. Smith, don't push her."

Despite Thomas' persistence, Marcus stood firm.

The final call came from Waylen, who got straight to the point.

“Marcus, what's up with you? You can't handle even Thomas? He just called me. Listen, Melissa has nothing to do with the Smith family.

We can support her and Matthew on our own. We won't take a dime from the Smiths. Your mom's right. The Smiths didn't raise Melissa, so why should she go to Weldon's funeral? This is just ridiculous!"

"I already told Thomas. Yeah, Melissa isn't going," Marcus said into the phone.

He hung up, glancing at Melissa. The traffic light ahead turned red.

Giving her hand a squeeze, he said, "My dad and I are on the same page. You're staying put. Don't sweat it. As long as we stand firm, the Smiths won't dare to stir trouble."

Melissa nodded silently.