In Sugar, Melanie Matthews used to be Olivia’s stepmother. Amy Ryan plays Melanie.
While investigating the disappearance of Olivia, John Sugar comes across pictures of Melanie and Olivia together, which are quite recent, leading him to believe that they were close before Olivia’s disappearance.
Melanie Matthews also used to be a big rock star in the past. Melanie and Olivia’s picture was taken at the Step-Hi Lounge, which is where Sugar finds Melanie.
Melanie and Sugar instantly click, and Melanie gets to know Sugar as they drink together.
What she appreciates the most about him is that he didn’t try to sleep with her, even though they spent the night together and he took her home; she had even offered to sleep with him.
Connection with Carmen
On his first meeting with Melanie, Sugar is not able to extract any information from her, as she is drunk.
However, the next time they meet, Sugar notices that Melanie is keeping things from him about Olivia. She especially denies identifying Clifford Carter.
Melanie kicks Sugar out of her house, even though Sugar assures her that he is going to find Olivia. Sugar has Charlie keep an eye on Melanie.
It turns out that Melanie knows Carmen’s sister, Teresa. When Byron Stallings visits Teresa, looking for his man, Clifford, he forces Teresa to invite Melanie over.
While Byron is threatening the two of them, Sugar comes to their rescue and helps them escape.
Melanie’s involvement in Clifford’s death
Melanie confesses how she knows Teresa. She volunteers at a shelter and helps women get out of abusive relationships.
A while back, she helped Teresa get away from her abusive husband. A month ago, her sister, Carmen, called Melanie for help.
Olivia was assisting Melanie. She loved doing so. Olivia loved Carmen as the two got closer. However, one night, Olivia calls Melanie from Carmen’s house.
Olivia visited Carmen, worried because Carmen wasn’t answering the phone, only to find Carmen dead. Before she could call the cops, she and Clifford, who was at the house, met eyes.
Using a gun nearby, Olivia possibly killed Clifford. Olivia didn’t want a scandal for her family. Melanie understood that. Hence, she helped Olivia get rid of Clifford’s body, and that was the last time Melanie saw Olivia.
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