<h4>Chapter 371: Bonding</h4>


    "Mr. Thomas."


    Mnie looked up in surprise as the man stepped into the house with rushed movements. Who did that? For a moment, she’d thought a thief was breaking in. He stopped short at the sight of her, blinking as if he wasn’t expecting to see her there.


    He stared at her for a beat, then let out a strained chuckle. "Melody? You’re calling me Mr. Thomas now? What happened to Father?"


    Mnie offered a tight, uncertain smile. "I don’t remember much these days... so calling you that feels strange. Formal. Distant. But... I could try, I suppose."


    She tilted her head, examining him more closely. "I thought you’d left for the office already. Why are you back? You look—" she paused, frowning "...a bit pale. Is everything alright?"


    He waved a dismissive hand but didn’t quite meet her eyes. "Huh? Ah, yes, yes. I came back because I forgot my medicine. Foolish of me. And now-" he touched his temple and exhaled, "...now my blood pressure’s acting up. Fluctuating all over the ce."


    He moved toward the sideboard but then stopped again, rubbing his chest absently.


    "Have you seen your mother?" he asked. "She might know where the medicine is. The one I usually keep in the car, it’s missing too. I checked the glovebox. Gone."


    Mnie shook her head slowly. "Mrs. Thomas went out a while ago. I don’t know where she went exactly. But if she keeps it somewhere inside, I can go look. Where does she usually store it?"


    Richard Thomas wiped the sweat from his brow and pressed his palm briefly to the wall for support. "She... she keeps it in the study. I think. That’s where Ist remember seeing her put it. But I have no idea were exactly. Could be in one of the drawers. Or maybe the cab. She’s always moving things around."


    Mnie stood straight at that and stared at the man with a narrowed gaze. He looked ready to keel over.


    "Come on, sit down for a bit. Don’t push yourself like this," she said as she guided him toward the nearest chair by holding his elbow. "I’ll go and check the study. Just stay here. Catch your breath."


    She waited until he sank into the chair before stepping back, her brows still furrowed as she nced at his mmy hands. Something felt off.


    But without thinking too much, she walked into the study and quickly started to check the table for medicine. Spotting none, she walked around the desk and started checking the drawers.


    The top left drawer had some old files and a stapler. The one below it had pens, markers, and envelopes. Nothing useful. She moved to the other side and opened the top drawer. A calctor, a few coins, and some paperclips. Still nothing.


    She crouched and checked the bottom drawer. This one had a stack of old receipts and some old phones and electronics. No sign of any medicine. She stood up and rubbed her hand on the side of her jeans, then reached for thest drawer in the middle.


    It stuck a bit before opening and as she pulled harder, it opened suddenly, causing Mnie to stumble back and hit the edge of the shelf behind her. She winced as her shoulder shuddered and then winced more when a photo frame shattered on the floor near her foot


    Mnie turned around with a curse under her breath.


    She was about to crouch down and collect the pieces when her eyes caught something in the drawer she’d just opened. The medicine.


    It was pushed to the back, but thebel was visible. Without wasting another second, she grabbed the bottle and stood up straight. First she needed to get the medicine to the man then she would clean it up.


    Ignoring the broken frame on the floor, she left the study and walked back to the living room.


    Mr. Thomas was still seated. His shirt was damp around the cor, but he wasn’t slumped anymore. He looked up as she approached.


    "Here. I found it," Mnie said as she ced the medicine in his hand.


    He nodded, breathing a little easier now. "Thanks, Mrl"


    He opened the cap, took a tablet, and swallowed it dry. Mnie watched as the tension slowly eased from his shoulders. He wasn’t sweating as much now. His hands still shook, but not like before.


    "You alright now?"


    He gave a small nod. "Better. I just needed the medicine. Thank you. Melody..."


    Mnie didn’t respond. She looked at the man and knew he was about to say something but she interrupted him, "I’ll go clean up the study. I broke a frame when I bumped into the shelf."


    "You’re hurt? What happened?" Richard Thomas asked quickly and Mnie shook her head, "I’m fine. You should sit for a few more minutes.


    She didn’t wait for a reply and walked back.


    Inside the study, the frame stilly on the floor, broken ss scattered around it. Mnie moved carefully as she crouched and started picking up the bigger shards first. She ced them aside on a sheet of paper, careful not to cut her fingers.


    Once most of the ss was cleared, she reached for the photo itself. But as she lifted it, something strange happened. There were two photos stuck together.


    On top was the picture, that Marianne had shown her, from one of the couple’s vacations. And seemed untouched. But the other, the one that was stuck behind seemed older. Carefully, she pulled the two photos apart, inadverently ncing at the photo.


    In that moment, she stilled. This...Hurriedly, she pulled out her phone from her pocket and clicked a picture as she heard footstepsing in from the outside. She ced the picture behind the couple’s photo again, and then ced it face down on the table. Just as she picked up the shards again, Richard Thomas’ voice jolted her,’ Melody. There is no need to do that. Just ask the maid toe and clean..."


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