EMILY IS BACK!

SCARLETT 

His eyes darted to mine, fear flickering in them like a dying candle. My pulse hammered against my ribs. This was it. This was the moment I would find out the truth. My father’s fate depended on his next words.

"Speak now," I said, my voice barely above a whisper but filled with fire. "Were you the one who framed my dad?"

Zayden's lips parted, but for a second, nothing came out. Then he shook his head, his brows knitting together. "How could you even think that, Scarlett? Your father and I built that company from the ground up. We were best friends! There’s no way I’d frame him for something like that."

I scoffed. "And yet, you’re the CEO now that he’s gone. Convenient, isn’t it?" My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palm. "You keep saying you’re doing everything to help him, but where is the progress? Why is he still rotting in that prison?"

His gaze darkened. "I’m trying, Scarlett. You have to believe me."

"Believe you?" A bitter laugh bubbled up my throat. "How can I believe you when every sign points to you? My dad was accused of embezzling money from the company—the same company you both worked so hard to build. And now he’s gone, and you’re in charge. What do you expect me to believe?"

He took a step forward, his hand reaching out. "Scarlett—"

I jerked back. "Don’t. Don’t touch me."

His face twisted with something I couldn't quite name. Regret? Desperation? Guilt?

"Why are you doing this?" he whispered. "Last night—"

"Last night was a mistake," I cut in, my voice sharp. "And for your information, I don’t have feelings for you anymore. You disgust me. You have no morals, no conscience. You wanted to have something with me while I was married to your son. What kind of man does that? What do you gain from this?"

His expression hardened. "You think I planned for this to happen? You think I wanted to feel this way about you? I fought it, Scarlett. I fought it with everything I had. But you…"

I shook my head, my chest tightening. "Don’t. Just stop. You’re evil. You’ve ruined my life."

His hands curled into fists, his whole body tense. "I didn’t ruin your life. I was trying to do what was best for you. If I had married you, people would have talked."

"Do you think I care?" I snapped, anger flaring hot inside me. "You made me marry Vincent instead. Do you think that was the better option?"

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

"From now on," I said, my voice cold, "whenever you see me in this house, move to the left. Stay out of my way. I never want to be near you again."

I turned sharply and stormed out of the room, my whole body trembling. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest. Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not now. Not because of him.

I pushed open my bedroom door, slammed it shut, and collapsed onto the bed. The moment my head hit the pillow, the tears came. Hot, angry, endless.

A soft knock echoed in the room. My breath hitched. I wiped my face quickly. "Come in."

Vincent stepped inside, his face unreadable. "Are you okay, Scarlett?"

"I’m fine," I said quickly, sitting up.

He didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead, he walked over, sliding into the bed beside me. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I missed you."

My stomach twisted. Guilt clawed at me, but I forced a smile. "I was just tired."

He leaned in, his lips grazing my cheek. "Can we…?"

My throat tightened. I turned my face away. "I—I can’t. Not tonight. I’m sorry."

He sighed, rolling onto his back. "Alright. I’ll wait."

I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn’t deserve his patience.

But that night, something jolted me awake. A strange feeling—like I wasn’t alone. My eyes fluttered open, and my breath caught in my throat.

Vincent was hovering over me, his hands gripping the hem of my nightgown.

"Vincent, what the hell are you doing?" My voice was sharp, but my limbs felt frozen.

He didn’t answer. His hands were already moving lower.

Panic shot through me like lightning. I grabbed his wrist, yanking it away. "Get off me!"

His eyes flickered, something dark lurking beneath them. "You’re my wife, Scarlett."

"That doesn’t give you the right to touch me without my consent!"

He pressed forward, his weight pinning me down. My pulse pounded, my breath coming in sharp gasps. Fear wrapped around my throat, squeezing tight.

No.

I wouldn’t let this happen.

With every ounce of strength I had, I shoved him off me. He stumbled back, shock flashing across his face.

"Don’t you ever try that again," I hissed, my entire body trembling. "Or I swear to God, I’ll make you regret it."

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.

I stayed there, chest heaving, fingers clenched so tight they ached.

I only married him because of this father but getting married to him was what I wanted. I don't dislike him but I can't and don't have sex with him now. As I haven't yet gotten over his Dad.

Why the heck did I accept this marriage in the first place? Now I'm running crazy everyday. I can't concentrate with his dad in the same house. This is bad! 

“Welcome Mom.” I heard Vincent's voice from downstairs and my heart almost dropped.

Vincent's mom was here. The first love whom Zayden always talks about with my Dad.

That's impossible!

My chances of having him now are slim. I rushed to the door watching, she was still locked, beautiful and young.