My Unborn Baby Chose My Husband for Me novel Chapter 293

After thoroughly digging into Melody Monroe's background, Landon Langford set his manufactured coincidence into motion.

Two days later, Landon cruised into the vicinity of Emerald Bay.

He didn't contact Melody beforehand. Instead, he parked his sleek sports car in an inconspicuous corner and casually sent her a text.

"Ms. Monroe, I happen to be driving past Emerald Bay and remembered you live around here. Since we're officially friends now, can I buy you a meal?"

With the message sent, Landon leaned back against the leather seat, a faint, calculating smirk playing on his lips.

He waited barely five minutes before his screen lit up.

Melody's reply was clipped: "Perfect timing. I was actually about to call you. Since you drove me home the other night, I should be the one treating."

Landon chuckled darkly and typed back: "There's no time like the present, and my schedule is wide open today. Are you free right now?"

Two minutes of heavy silence passed.

"I'm home. Let me know when you get to the gate."

Landon slipped his phone away and eased the car forward.

The vehicle glided into the exclusive Emerald Bay enclave, rolling to a smooth stop right outside the Monroe family estate.

Before stepping out, Landon gave his collar a quick adjustment, schooling his features into a mask of effortless charm.

Moments later, Melody emerged.

She was draped in a flowing white polka-dot dress that hugged her stunning curves, paired with nude heels.

Her complexion was radiant, and she looked remarkably vibrant.

She stepped up to Landon. "Mr. Langford. We meet again."

Landon offered a casual nod. "I was just passing through. I just left the family estate, and the old lady was nagging me again. I needed some air."

Melody's eyelashes fluttered briefly, but she quickly masked her reaction.

"You're close with your grandmother?" she asked smoothly.

"We get along well enough. She treats me right, but she never stops talking." Landon let out a dry laugh. "Every time I see her, she demands to know when I'm getting married. She acts like turning twenty-five and being single is a federal crime."

"Nothing malicious. I just get the feeling that you and I are cut from the same cloth. We're both people who refuse to accept our lot in life."

Melody said nothing, her piercing stare locked onto him.

Landon met her gaze head-on, his voice steady and completely unapologetic.

"You don't need to look at me like that; I'm not the enemy. I just think it's incredibly rare to find someone in our elite circle who truly understands exactly what it feels like to be sidelined."

"Understands?" Melody spat the word back at him, a bitter sneer twisting her lips. "How on earth are we in the same boat?"

"We are the eternal benchmarks for comparison." Landon's tone remained deceptively light. "I've spent my entire life being overshadowed by Lucian. And now, you're being completely overshadowed by his wife. We're both stuck in second place, doomed to live in someone else's shadow."

The words sliced like a finely honed blade, striking the most agonizing vulnerability in Melody's chest.

The color drained from her face, her lips pressing into a thin, bloodless line.

Watching her reaction, Landon knew he had her exactly where he wanted her.

He didn't twist the knife further. Instead, he smoothly pivoted, letting a breezy warmth filter back into his voice. "Come on, get in. I know a brilliant private spot. Let me take you out."