Matters Arising

Chapter 15 - SCARLETT'S POV

“What did I just see?” Vincent's voice thundered, making me shrink.

I didn’t even know how to explain what had just happened. My mind was too foggy to make sense of the reality of it all. I’d only just been trying to wake him up, to make sure he was still with me, still alive. But somehow, there it was—a kiss. A stupid, unplanned kiss that felt wrong, but in that moment, it felt like I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t pull away, couldn’t go back.

Vincent’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I felt a rush of panic. Was he going to say something? Was he going to accuse me? Was this the moment he realized I wasn’t just his wife anymore, that I was tangled up in something I couldn’t untangle?

I stammered. “I was just—just doing what the doctor said. He needed… air. To breathe better.” The words were flimsy, desperate, but I had to make him believe it. My own voice didn’t even sound like mine. I hated how weak I sounded, how shaky my words were.

Vincent blinked, and for a moment, I thought he might laugh it off. His expression was unreadable, almost as if he didn’t care. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe he wasn’t going to call me out. Maybe I could get away with this lie, this stupid lie.

“That’s... fine, I guess,” Vincent said. His voice was even, too calm for my liking. “I’m just glad he’s okay.” He glanced at Zayden, still lying on the bed, barely conscious but breathing. He didn’t say anything else. He just turned, walked out of the room, and left me standing there, feeling like I’d just dodged a bullet.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, that Vincent knew. He always knew.

And then, in the blink of an eye, the tension was broken. A nurse came in, telling us that Zayden would be discharged soon. The relief I felt was immediate, but it didn’t last. There was still the weirdness, the emotions that felt like they were threatening to spill out, and the questions that I didn’t have answers to.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Zayden was allowed to leave, and we all went back to the house. It was supposed to be a normal day. Or maybe, that’s what I tried to make myself believe. But then there was her. Emily.

She was sitting in the living room, waiting for Zayden. When she saw him, she practically launched herself at him, her arms wrapping around him in an embrace that made my stomach twist.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you, Zayden,” she said, her voice sugary sweet. “I’m just so happy you’re okay.”

Zayden tried to pull away, but she wasn’t having it. She clung to him like a vine, not letting go, even as he looked uncomfortable, shifting his weight as though trying to escape.

I could see the way his face tightened, the frustration flickering in his eyes. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want her. But there she was, practically draped over him like she belonged there.

I couldn’t take it. I stood up, my voice suddenly too loud in the quiet house. “We need to eat. Now,” I said, my words sharper than I intended.

Emily’s gaze flickered to me, but she let go of Zayden, not saying anything. It didn’t matter. She had no idea what was really going on.

“Are you going to cook?” Vincent asked, his eyes studying me.

I nodded, even though I felt the weight of everything pressing on me. “Yes,” I said, my voice steady. “I’ll cook.”

I didn’t wait for anyone else to offer help. I went straight into the kitchen, grabbing ingredients, throwing them together without even thinking. My hands moved automatically, each motion like a machine trying to block out everything else. I didn’t want Emily near Zayden. Not right now. Not when everything felt so fragile, so ready to shatter at any moment.

It didn’t take long for Emily to follow me into the kitchen, her footsteps light as she stepped closer to me. I didn’t look at her. I just kept my eyes on the counter, chopping vegetables, trying to ignore the tension in the air.

She tried to make small talk, her voice dripping with that fake sweetness. “It must have been scary for you, huh?” she asked, as if she cared.

I didn’t answer right away. What was there to say? That I felt like my whole life was falling apart? That everything I thought I knew had turned into a lie? No, I couldn’t say that. Not to her. I just nodded, letting her think whatever she wanted.

After a few minutes, I noticed Zayden sitting at the dining table, looking exhausted. His face was pale, and he was still too weak to do much. Emily, being the helpful person she was, started to offer him food. She leaned over the table, spooning some into a bowl and offering it to him like she was the one in charge.

I couldn’t stand it.

“He can feed himself right now, he's not handicap,” I said, my voice cold. “He needs rest, not you hovering over him.”

Emily’s hand froze mid-air, the spoon still in her grasp. She looked at me, her eyes wide in surprise. I could see the anger building in her, but I didn’t care. She needed to back off.

With a sharp breath, she put the spoon down and left the table, her face tight with frustration. I didn’t look at her. I couldn’t. Not now.

The rest of the night passed quietly. Everyone ate, then retreated to their rooms. But I couldn’t sleep. The thoughts kept racing through my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about Zayden. Couldn’t stop thinking about what he had said earlier. Did he really mean it? Did he really want me?

The clock ticked slowly, but I couldn’t lay still. Eventually, I picked up my phone and dialed Zayden’s number, the need to see him, to talk to him, overwhelming. He answered on the second ring.

“I’m here,” he said, his voice low. “Where are you?”

“I’m at the store,” I said. “Meet me there. We need to talk.”

Within minutes, he was there. I grabbed him as soon as I saw him, pulling him close, holding him like I’d never let him go. “I can’t lose you,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “I’ve always loved you, Zayden. I can’t... I can’t keep pretending. I need to leave Vincent. I need to divorce him.”

The words felt like they were strangling me, but they were out there now. There was no going back.

Before he could say anything, the door to the store suddenly slammed open. And there he was. Vincent.

His eyes were wide with shock, disbelief written all over his face.

“Divorce me? What the heck is going on?” he spat, his voice rising. “Are you two having an affair or something?”

I froze. My heart stopped.