Chapter 4

Lucas glared at Maria, his jaw clenched in silent fury. The air between them had thickened with tension. Claire, sensing the brewing storm, quietly slipped out and hurried to her room—she knew too well what Lucas’ anger could look like, and she didn’t want to be around for it.

His voice was sharp as a blade. “What was that all about?”

Maria stammered, caught off guard. “Wh–what do you mean?”

“I mean, why were you provoking her? Why stir up trouble when I gave you one job—stay quiet?” His fist crashed against the wall, sending a thunderous echo through the hallway.

Maria flinched, fear written plainly on her face. She realized too late that lying wouldn’t save her this time.

“I only wanted to talk to her,” she mumbled, voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to start anything…”

Lucas’ disappointment showed in every line of his face. “You crossed the line. I didn’t expect this from you.”

“But I thought— You said you didn’t love her. I thought you wanted her gone,” Maria argued, trying to justify herself.

“I never told you to go looking for a fight!” he barked.

“I’m sorry, Lucas… I didn’t mean—”

“Enough,” he snapped. “Just let it go.”

Maria blinked, lips trembling.

But she couldn’t help herself. “Scarlet had some nerve saying she wanted a divorce,” she scoffed. “Good riddance anyway. With her gone, we can finally be together. Right, Lucas?”

His response was cold. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

Maria fell silent, but her chest burned with resentment.

Lucas walked away, retreating into the silence of his room. As he sank into his chair, he stared blankly at the wall. Scarlet’s words from earlier—“I’ll send the divorce papers”—echoed like thunder in his mind.

He hadn’t seen it coming.

Even though the marriage had been arranged by his uncle, he never really planned to end it. Scarlet was perfect for him—a woman with no ties, no demands, no ego. She was obedient, quiet, a good cook, and always eager to please. Easy to control.

The image of her in the hallway flashed in his mind—dressed in lingerie, clutching his favorite meal with trembling hands. Her soft curves, flushed cheeks, eyes that begged for his affection…

He shook the image away, annoyed with himself.

With a quick motion, he tapped a button on his desk intercom. “Find out where Scarlet went. I want her back in this house—unharmed—by tomorrow.”

His secretary hesitated on the other end. “Sir… I, uh… I saw her leave.”

“Then follow her and bring her back. Now.”

“She left with an older man… in a black limousine, sir.”

Lucas froze. “What?”

The secretary’s words lit a fire under him. Lucas erupted, flipping his desk with a roar. Everything on it—files, frames, pens—came crashing to the floor.

“Bring her back now,” he ordered. His voice was deadly calm, but his knuckles were white from rage.

---

Scarlet stirred in her sleep, the warmth of soft sheets embracing her. For a second, she thought she was dreaming—until she opened her eyes and caught the scent of home.

A warm, husky voice greeted her.

“Finally awake.”

Her eyes widened. She shot up in bed. “Grandpa…” she whispered.

Tears flooded her eyes as she threw herself into his arms. “I’m sorry, Grandpa. Will you ever forgive me for what I did?”

Mr. Trump, a retired psychologist and once CEO of Andy Corp, smiled and embraced her with steady hands.

“You were in love. That’s the only way I can explain how a smart, beautiful girl like you gave up her legacy for a man like that.”

“I was stupid… and I’m so sorry.”

He held her tight. “You’re back now. That’s all that matters.”

Scarlet clung to him, sobbing into the chest of the only man who had ever protected her with unwavering love. She was finally safe.

“You are my heir,” he said gently. “And the only family I have left. I lost your parents… I can't lose you too. Promise me you’ll never walk out of my protection again.”

“I promise,” she whispered, tears rolling freely.

Suddenly, the door flew open and a tornado of energy threw itself at her.

“Scarlet!”

Scarlet turned—“Lyssa?”

Her younger sister crashed into her arms.

“Oh my God! You’re really here. I missed you so much!”

They hugged tightly, both of them sniffling, laughing, crying.

“I rushed here the second Grandpa called me,” Lyssa said, brushing tears from her cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re finally home.”

Scarlet pulled her into another hug. “I’m sorry I left you, Lyssa. I was so lost… being with Lucas… it was hell.”

She had left behind her name, her status, and her family—all for a man who never saw her worth.

Lyssa cupped Scarlet’s face, frowning. “You look pale. You’ve lost so much weight. Were you even eating? Oh my God, he didn’t feed you well, did he?!”

Scarlet laughed weakly. “I’ll survive.”

“You should’ve dumped him a long time ago! You deserve ten times better. I should punch that bastard in the face—pow, pow, pow!” She threw three air punches that made Scarlet burst into giggles.

“You’re silly,” Scarlet whispered, running a hand through her sister’s hair.

“But how did you get out of the house?” Lyssa asked, eyeing the small bag Scarlet brought. “Lucas let you walk away?”

Scarlet’s gaze hardened. “No. I asked for a divorce. I’m done, Lyssa. I don’t need that man. Not anymore.”

Lyssa squealed. “Yes! That’s my girl. You’re finally back. The Scarlet who doesn’t take crap from anyone!”

She snatched Scarlet’s phone. “Time to open a dating app—let’s find you a man who’s rich, sexy, and obsessed with you!”

Scarlet burst into laughter. “No, no. Stop! I don’t want any man right now.”

She grew serious. “I want to reclaim my life. My position. I want to go back to Andy Corp—but not as President.”

Lyssa blinked. “What? Why?”

“I want to work my way back. No shortcuts. No titles handed down. I want to earn it.”

Her voice held a fierce new clarity. A confidence Lyssa hadn’t seen in a long time.

Lyssa nodded proudly. “That’s… that’s amazing. You were born for this, Scarlet. And Lucas? He’ll be crawling at your feet once he sees what you’ve become.”

Scarlet shrugged, her smile fading. “Let him. I won’t look back. I want nothing to do with him—or his family.”

“But what if he comes back?” Lyssa asked softly. “What if he begs?”

Scarlet’s heart twitched.

She glanced toward the ceiling, voice flat. “He won’t. He never loved me. I was just a placeholder. A puppet he could control. Nothing more.”

Lyssa looked at her sister’s tired face—once radiant, now worn from pain. She saw the weight she carried. The trauma. The heartbreak.

“You’re free now,” she whispered. “And soon, the whole world will know what they lost.”

Scarlet’s eyes fell to the divorce papers on the desk.

She reached for them.

Her hands trembled as she picked up the pen. The air grew still.

Then, with calm determination, she signed.

One signature. One ending. One new beginning.

“Give this to the office secretary. Send this to his office,” Scarlet said, handing the papers to Lyssa. “I want it signed. This time… I’m the one walking away.”