"I don't like this. Can you at least tell Adam? That's all I'm asking. If Adam knows… then I'll be at peace. At least I'll feel like someone on the outside is aware of what's happening."
"I understand, Melanie. I really do. But I can't take that risk right now. I know this situation makes you uneasy. You feel cornered. But if Cadence starts sensing that something's off-if he even suspects that you're not fully cooperating or planning something else, he won't hesitate. He won't let you leave. And if that happens, everything we've planned so far could fall apart. We can't afford to stir things up just yet."
Melanie sighed deeply, her shoulders dropping as she looked down at her hands. Her voice was quieter now, "Then what am I supposed to do? Just walk into that house like I belong there? Like I know these people? Look, I understand what you said, that I should go back pretending to be Melody and try to clear things up slowly- but those people are strangers to me and..."
