Hearing Ivonne's words, Melisa paused for a second before offering a polite smile. "I suppose it's just part of his duty as a husband."
Leonard shot Ivonne a cold glance.
For the first time, he acknowledged Ivonne—but only because of Melisa. That realization stung. Ivonne felt bitterness rise in her chest, but she quickly masked it with a playful smile.
"Relax, Leo. You're so overprotective. I was just teasing her," she said lightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Leonard, ignoring her words, pulled out a chair for Melisa before turning to Ivonne, his tone devoid of warmth. "Don't call me Leo, Miss Ivonne. We are not close."
He had never cared about what she called him before. But now, he didn't want Melisa to misunderstand—even if she didn't care.
This is well-written, but there are a few small grammar and phrasing improvements that can make it smoother and more engaging. Here's an improved version:
---
Leonard didn't bother responding. Instead, he silently pulled out a chair and sat next to Melisa. It wasn't his usual seat—Ivonne had intentionally taken the one beside his regular spot.
Seeing his indifference, Ivonne could no longer maintain her cheerful disposition. Her wry smile barely masked the bitterness creeping into her heart.
Under the table, she clenched her left fist, her nails digging into her palm. The sting of pain was a reminder—to stay composed, to not let her emotions slip.
Mr. and Mrs. Soveir pretended not to notice, continuing their meal as if nothing was amiss.
Meanwhile, Tristan, who had been quietly observing, felt a wave of sadness for his friend. At the same time, an unsettling worry gnawed at him—his usually cold and rational brother was falling for malicious Melisa.
The guilt still weighed on him when he recalled how harshly he had questioned Ivonne over the phone, and Olivia's pitiful sobs when he confronted her.
Olivia was such a kind and gentle girl. He had always thought Melisa was nothing more than a quiet and timid person—who would have imagined she was so scheming? Forcing her own sister to withdraw from her engagement just to take her place… how could someone be so selfish?
He shot a harsh glare at Melisa, but she merely glanced at him before turning away, unfazed.
'So, Olivia has started playing her games… Well, whatever.She has long been tired of this' Melisa thought, suppressing a sigh.
She no longer had an appetite, but she forced herself to eat slowly—if only to avoid worrying others or giving certain people the opportunity they were eagerly waiting for to drag her down.
Still Melisa could not hide it carefully.Noticing how little Melisa ate, Leonard and his parents felt a pang of guilt, assuming Ivonne's words had upset her. Meanwhile, Ivonne and Tristan saw it differently—they thought she was merely putting on an act.
After dinner, Tristan made his way to his older brother's room.
He knocked twice, and the door was soon opened from the inside. Seeing Melisa standing there, his gaze instinctively shifted past her, searching for Leonard. His brother sat at his desk, flipping through documents, but looked up when he sensed Tristan's presence.
Tristan's eyes flickered between Melisa and Leonard before he spoke.
"Brother, I have something to talk to you about."
Leonard didn't look up from his documents. "Say it."
Tristan hesitated, shifting on his feet. "Brother, it's important."
Melisa immediately caught on. Tristan's frequent glances in her direction made it obvious—this conversation was about her. She met Leonard's gaze and gave him a subtle look, her eyes practically saying, 'Just go.'
Leonard studied her for a moment before finally closing the file in his hands. "Let's go to the study room."
Tristan exhaled in relief, then quickly turned around on his home blue slippers, heading straight for the study without looking back.
The study room was a quiet and relaxing space, designed for both work and contemplation. Two desks stood at opposite sides of the room, accompanied by a few comfortable chairs. Nearly a quarter of the room was occupied by bookshelves, filled with an extensive collection—not just business-related volumes, but also literature, history, and a few personal favorites. The warm lighting and neatly arranged décor gave the room an air of sophistication, making it a perfect place for deep discussions.
Leonard didn't want to waste a second and got straight to the point. "Now, what is this important thing?"
Tristan felt a little uncomfortable. His brother's voice was sharp, on edge—he was clearly angry. And Tristan knew why. Because of his childishness, Leonard had been forced into marriage.
"Brother, I..." Tristan stuttered under his brother's cold gaze. More than their father, it was his older brother Leonard whom he feared the most.
His father had always been busy. Although his older brother was also occupied with work, he was the one who attended parent meetings and disciplined him when needed.
Thinking back to Olivia's pitiful appearance of that day, Tris finally mustered the courage to say, "Brother, you should divorce Melisa. She's not a good person."
After waiting for his brother's answer, which didn't come, he looked up only to see his brother's cold face. 'He must be mad at Melisa.'
Tris also felt guilty for running away irresponsibly during his own wedding. If he hadn't been so reckless, Olivia wouldn't have suffered. He should take responsibility, get Olivia's forgiveness, and then marry her. She was so nice—she would definitely forgive him.