The moment the words left her mouth, Steven lost it.“No, Scarlett—you’re wrong!” he shouted hoarsely. “Without you, I might still be breathing, but I’d be nothing more than a hollow shell.”Scarlett let out a tearful laugh, one so bitter it barely resembled joy. She was exhausted, inside and out, but still forced herself to plead with him.“Steven… please, just promise me you’ll live a good life.”Steven’s face suddenly went blank. He got to his feet slowly and began walking toward the balcony step by step.“Then let me stay with you,” he said softly. “Wherever you go, I’ll go. Even if it’s hell, I’ll be right there.”That broke her.The emotions she’d been holding back exploded all at once. She broke down completely, sobbing like a child.Steven rushed forward and pulled her down from the ledge. His arms tightened around her trembling frame as he whispered, “It’s okay now, Scarlett. You’re okay. I’ve got you…”Scarlett tried to fight him off but couldn’t escape his hold. So
But even as Scarlett tried to stay cold toward Steven, she was slowly tearing herself apart.Just the thought of him leaving someday, of another woman being the one in his arms, made it hard to breathe. Her heart, already covered in scars, felt like someone was rubbing salt into the wounds.One gray afternoon, she stood on the balcony under a heavy sky and let out a tearful, bitter laugh.She had made up her mind. It was time to let go, for both of them.If she disappeared completely, Steven would eventually forget her. Time could fix anything. Right?Inside, Steven was icing his face, trying to clear his head and get his strength back. He gave himself a pep talk, then turned to head back to the bedroom to be by her side.But just then, he heard a dull thump from inside the room—something heavy hitting the floor.His heart stopped.He bolted.Scarlett had climbed onto a high stool and was reaching for the balcony wall when the door swung open and slammed into the wall behind h
Steven stood there, watching her slender back with a forced smile still hanging on his lips.Without saying a word, he quietly packed up the dishes he had so carefully prepared and wheeled the cart out of the room.It wasn’t until the door clicked shut behind him that Scarlett finally turned around. Tears were already pouring down her face.“I’m sorry, Steven... I’m so sorry…” she whispered over and over again, one hand clamped over her mouth as she cried silently.She couldn’t be this selfish. If he stayed by her side, stuck in this in-between, he’d never move on. Better to let him go. Let him live.In the kitchen, Steven dumped the now-cold food into the trash. The sight of all that effort—flavors and colors turned into a sad, soggy mess—made him laugh. A low, broken laugh that scraped at his throat.“Pathetic,” he muttered bitterly. “You’re so damn useless.”From that day on, it was like Scarlett had frozen her heart again.She sat by the window, staring out at the same stre
Today, Steven had gone out of his way to make Scarlett’s favorite dish, spicy buffalo wings. He kept the heat mild, though, since she was still recovering.He’d gotten up early to prep everything from scratch. By the time the dishes were done, he carefully wheeled the food cart toward the bedroom, his nerves more tangled than when he first fell in love.As the door creaked open, the familiar aroma drifted into the room. Scarlett, who had been staring blankly into space, suddenly froze. A few seconds later, she couldn’t help but turn around.Steven’s face lit up with a gentle, hopeful smile as he took a few slow steps toward her. “Scarlett, do you remember this?”She lowered her gaze to the dish. The rich, savoury wings were perfectly plated, still steaming. Her nose stung.That painful, bitter present suddenly melted into memory.She remembered it vividly—back when things between them were still sweet. Steven had his faults, sure. He’d snap at her, lose his temper. But he never o
Zachary muttered, “Leon was supposed to be hiding her, not flaunting her around M City. Even Melvin didn’t expect that. Our plan fell apart. But I know Sarah—there’s no way she’d agree to be with him. Especially not an engagement. Something’s off. Something we don’t know.”James’s expression darkened with anger. “He really has the nerve to pull this in East Coast?”Zachary nodded slightly. “The only explanation I can think of is that she’s being threatened.”“Whatever it is, I know the kind of man Leon is. I’ll handle him. You talk to Sarah,” James said without hesitation.Zachary hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.As James moved toward Leon, he smoothly guided him toward the crowd, while Sarah was surrounded by a group of reporters.Zachary didn’t wait. He strode over, grabbed Sarah by the wrist, and pulled her away without hiding from the cameras. Only once they reached the back garden did he finally let go.Sarah glared at him. “Mr. Reynold, you’re out of line.
Leon shrugged with a mocking smile. “Come on, Mr. Reynold, don’t throw around accusations. When did I ever kidnap her? Besides, what does this have to do with you? Weren’t you just—let me think... oh right—exes? So why act like it’s your business now?”Zachary’s temples throbbed. “What the hell did you do to her?”Maybe it was the look in Zachary’s eyes—cold and full of fury—but Leon actually looked away. “You think you’re so righteous? You hurt her too, remember? What makes you think you have any right to talk?”He shot Zachary a glare and turned to walk away with Sarah still on his arm.Zachary reached out, trying to stop them, but then saw the expression in Sarah’s eyes.Impatience. Disgust. Distance.Like she was looking at a stranger. Or worse—someone she didn’t care to remember.That one glance chilled Zachary to the bone. The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. He could only watch as the two disappeared into the crowd.“You’re just gonna let them walk away?” Jame