Chapter 3

Scarlett

Adrian’s mansion, some years ago…

The atmosphere in the study was tense, thick with unspoken expectations and quiet disappointment. The golden chandeliers cast a soft glow, but it did nothing to warm the coldness in the room.

Dorothy sat elegantly on the leather chair, her posture straight, her expression composed, but her eyes were sharp.

Adrian stood a few feet away, his back partly turned to her, a glass of untouched whiskey resting in his hand. He leaned back, fingers steepled.

"You have to start thinking seriously, Adrian, this is a crucial consideration." Dorothy said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but firm enough to leave no room for misinterpretation.

Adrian didn’t respond immediately.

"She’s my wife, Mother,” he finally said, his tone controlled, though strained. "Not a business contract to be terminated at will."

Dorothy’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Then perhaps you should remind yourself what kind of family you were born into."

He turned to face her now, his jaw tight.

"This family has a name. A legacy," she continued. "And that legacy requires an heir."

Adrian’s grip on the glass tightened slightly.

"Scarlett has had years," Dorothy added, her voice sharpening. "Years, Adrian. And yet....nothing."

The word echoed heavier than it should have.

A flicker of pain crossed Adrian’s eyes, but he masked it quickly.

"We don’t know if it’s her fault," he said quietly.

Dorothy let out a soft, almost dismissive laugh. "Then whose fault would it be? Yours? Are you saying you're sterile?" she challenged, raising a brow.

"No, mother."

"Then whose fault? because you keep defending her."

The question hung between them like a blade.

Adrian said nothing.

Dorothy leaned forward slightly, her tone lowering, more deliberate now. "Love is not enough to sustain a family like ours. You need a woman who can give you a child. A son. Kids."

Adrian’s expression hardened. "I’m not replacing my wife."

Dorothy didn’t flinch.

"Then you will lose everything this family stands for," she replied coldly. "Because whether you like it or not, Scarlett is failing in her duty."

Those words cut deeper than intended.

Adrian exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "She’s trying."

"Trying is not the same as succeeding," Dorothy said, her voice final.

Silence filled the room again, heavy, suffocating. Then, without hesitation, she delivered the blow.

"You should divorce her."

The words landed like thunder.

Outside the slightly ajar door, I stood frozen.

I had come with a small, hopeful smile, intending to call him to breakfast, but instead, I found myself rooted to the spot, my world collapsing with every word I had just heard.

Divorce.

Because I couldn’t give him a child.

My fingers trembled as they clutched the edge of the wall for support. My breathing became shallow, uneven, as if the air had suddenly grown too heavy.

Inside, Adrian’s silence stretched on.

I waited desperately, painfully for him to say something. To defend me. To choose me.

But the silence was louder than any words. A tear slipped down my cheek. Then another.

Quickly, I covered my mouth to suppress a sob, my shoulders shaking as the reality sank in.

I didn’t stay to hear more.

Step by step, I backed away from the door, my heart breaking in quiet pieces with every movement. The mansion that once felt like home now felt unbearably cold.

And as I turned and walked down the long hallway, tears streaming freely down my face. It felt like I had just lost my place in Adrian’s life, long before he ever said the words.

End of Flashback

****

My chest burned with anger.

"There was no truth!" I snapped. "I never cheated on him. I did nothing wrong to receive this ill treatment from you Dorothy Mattson."

Dorothy tilted her head, studying me like I was something mildly amusing.

"That doesn’t really matter now, does it?"

The coldness in her voice made my skin crawl.

She stopped a few feet away from me.

"You signed the divorce papers," she said calmly.

"It’s over."

A painful silence filled the room.

I lifted my chin slightly.

"I’m leaving tonight."

"Good."

The word came out instantly.

Dorothy’s eyes glittered with satisfaction.

"That’s exactly what I wanted."

My heart skipped.

"What do you mean?"

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"Let me make something very clear, Scarlett."

The way she said my name sent chills down my spine.

"You will leave this city."

My brows furrowed. "I already plan to."

Dorothy’s smile turned colder.

"Not just tonight."

Her eyes darkened.

"Forever."

My pulse quickened.

"You don’t get to control my life."

"Oh, but I do," she said softly.

Her gaze flicked toward the front door.

"If you stay in this city, I can make sure the scandal tonight follows you everywhere."

My stomach twisted.

"No company will hire you."

"No business will work with you."

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"You’ll be known as the woman who cheated on Adrian Mattson."

I felt like someone had punched me in the chest.

She was right. With Adrian’s influence, my reputation could be destroyed completely.

Dorothy watched my reaction with clear satisfaction.

"You’re smart," she said. "You know how this works."

I swallowed hard.

"What do you want?"

Her answer came instantly. "Disappear."

The word hung heavily in the air.

"Leave the city tonight," she continued. "And never come back."

"And if I don’t?" I asked quietly.

Dorothy’s eyes hardened.

"Then I will make sure your life becomes a living nightmare."

Silence filled the apartment. My hand slowly moved to my stomach protectively but Dorothy didn't notice or if she did, she didn't comment.

I had already lost everything tonight. My marriage, reputation and my home. But now there was something more important than all of that.

My baby.

I couldn’t risk raising my child in a city where Adrian’s family could destroy us.

I looked up at Dorothy again.

"Fine," I said softly.

Her lips curved slightly. "I’m glad you’re being reasonable."

"I’ll leave tonight."

Her smile widened. "Good girl."

I turned away from her and walked back toward the bedroom.

My hands felt steadier now. The decision had already been made. Within thirty minutes, my suitcase was packed. I only packed the essentials. My clothes, passport, a few personal items.

Nothing else mattered.

When I returned to the living room, Dorothy was still there, watching me.

"Goodbye," I said quietly.

She simply nodded.

As I walked toward the door, she added one final sentence.

"Trust me, Scarlett."

Her voice was smooth as silk.

"My son will never look for you."

My chest tightened but I didn’t respond.

I stepped out of the apartment and closed the door behind me. The sound echoed down the hallway like the end of a chapter.

By sunrise, I would be gone.

And Adrian Mattson would never know that somewhere in the world.

His child was growing inside me.