2. They Stab Me Behind My Back

Scarlett’s POV

I shuffled back home, cold and hot under the not-so-scorching sun. My bag felt like a heavy block. It slipped off my hand on the street, and I left it there. I have nothing left to hold on to. My castle has collapsed.

“Nathan!” I whimpered, dropping to my knees on the porch. I wanted every other place to hurt, but not my heart.

“Scarlett?” My stepmother, Maria, called, rushing out of the house. “Hey, what happened to you? Why are you crying?” She asked as if she ever cared about me.

“Don’t touch me!” I snapped, sitting on the floor. “Aren’t you happy I’m like this? What more is left to lose, Mother? Why am I so unfortunate and cursed to lose those that I love? What did I ever do wrong?” I sobbed.

She squatted beside me. I thought she was going to console me until her words cut through my pain.

“You should have stuck to your standards, Scarlett.”

“And what’s that even supposed to mean to me?” I queried, brushing my tear-soaked hair aside.

“You never listened to me. I have always told you to flock with people from our class. Stop flapping your wings where you don’t belong, but you always wanted to fly higher than your standards. This is what I meant by my warnings.”

“How is that even encouraging, Mother? You always wanted me in the cage. How was that helping me grow?” I whined, forgetting my real pain for a moment.

“Success and happiness are only for the privileged. Never forget that,” she declared, stood up, and went back inside.

“Why do you have to let this happen to me, Lord? I did everything I could to stay on the right track. I prayed countless times. Why couldn’t you keep my little happiness? Why do you have to abandon me too?” I continued wailing till I was left with no more tears.

I practically couldn’t sleep through the night. I became pale and a shadow of myself by the time I woke up the following morning. I had a quick thought last night, and I plan on executing it this morning when I got a well-expected but not the right-moment visitor.

“Brightest morning, Sunshine!” Everleigh, my childhood best friend, exclaimed, barging into my room.

She flitted to my bedside, looking all bright and beautiful as usual. Her straight black hair shone under the shaft of the morning sun. Her chestnut-brown eyes twinkled. Wealth does suit people, indeed. She is always happy and gets whatever she wants, compared to my wretched self.

“Hey, Sunshine, Are you okay?” She sounded concerned, sitting beside me.

Her question triggered tears in my eyes. I sat up and hugged her.

“It’s okay, Sunshine. Let it all out,” she comforted, letting me cry on her shoulder.

“Why was I cursed, Eve? What did I ever do to deserve this?” I sobbed.

“Don’t say that. You are not cursed, okay? You are stronger than this. When did you start letting emotions take control of you?”

She was telling the truth. I always try my best to be strong and to smile away my sorrows, but I can’t control it. My heart is shredding into pieces, and it hurts badly enough for me to wish to die.

“You are going to be fine, okay?” she soothed. I nodded and disengaged from the hug.

“Thank you. What would I have done without you?” I appreciated her.

“Maybe not heartbroken a second time?” my stepmother suggested, entering my room.

“Just ignore her,” I mumbled to Everleigh.

“Maybe if you had stuck to your class, traitors wouldn’t be surrounding you,” my stepmother said again, moving close to us.

“What the hell are you talking about, Mother?” I snapped, scowling at her.

“Um, back to the reason I came early,” Everleigh chipped in. My attention was back on her, ignoring my stepmother, who was practically doing nothing in my room.

“This is going to be a huge surprise. Can you guess?” Everleigh asked cheerfully.

“You know I can use a whole year trying to guess right,” I said, finding a reason for the side of my lips to quirk up.

“Fine, I will tell you.” Everleigh gave up. She cleared her throat, taking her time. She always does that to raise my curiosity.

“Can you just spill it?” I was getting impatient.

“I’m getting married!” she exclaimed, cheerfully jumping up from the bed.

“Oh my God! Congratulations, Eve! You deserve that and more.” I expressed my happiness for her.

Despite my heartache, keeping my family and friends happy is my priority. I can always sleep in my puddle of tears.

“And you are going to be my chief bridesmaid, so you better trash that sad, emotional look. It doesn’t suit you,” she said, and I smiled.

“I will be anything on your wedding day, Eve. As long as you are happy, nothing else matters. Before I forget the most important question, When is the wedding, and who is this lucky guy that stole my friend’s heart?” I queried.

“The wedding is next Saturday. I know it’s that early, but that’s what I want. Where there is money, wedding arrangements are a piece of cake,” she explained.

“I know. I understand. I’m not going to scold you for that,” I declared.

“The major reason you should be concerned is with her spouse. Ask her who the groom is,” my stepmother interjected sharply.

“What are you doing in my room, Mother?” I was taking it personally with her now.

“To protect you from a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” she said, glaring at Everleigh.

“Can you stop making my friend uncomfortable? What is this attitude for?” I was getting pissed at this new attitude of hers.

“Then ask her who she is getting married to. Aren’t you void of reasoning, Scarlett? You were just heartbroken barely 24 hours ago, and your so-called best friend is here announcing her wedding. Doesn’t that call for suspicion? Do you always have to be the perfect, understanding, knuckleheaded lady?” Stepmother expressed. When did she start caring about me enough to warrant this?

“What are you insinuating, Mother?” I asked.

“I’m getting married to Nathan,” Everleigh said in our little argument.