Scarlett’s POV
The sudden turn of events was overwhelming, but I wasn’t stupid. I could piece together the gist just from listening.
Miley said I was defiled, and then my parents lost control instantly…
So the part of my memory lost thirteen years ago… could it be because I had…
I stood frozen, the light in my eyes gradually dimming as fragmented scenes began piecing themselves together in my mind—
a girl’s shattering screams, the criminals’ savage faces, the sound of clothes being torn to shreds…
A flood of images surged into my mind—bloody, filthy scenes, the two criminals’ faces as terrifying and repulsive as demons from hell.
My head felt as if it would split apart, the images racing back and forth like a frantic carousel.
I felt the world I inhabited crumbling.
Darkness instantly engulfed me.
On the other side, it seemed as if new images we
Mason’s POVAfter listening to Everett’s reply, I nodded, my gaze toward him now tinged with added affirmation.“You were right. It was your duty as a soldier. Even if you had saved someone else first, we have no right to blame you. Fortunately, Scarlett was lucky. Regardless of anything else, the Taylor family will never deny that you are her savior.”“Mr. Taylor, you’re making too much of this. I was a soldier at the time… saving lives is my duty. I hope neither Scarlett nor anyone in the Taylor family sees me as a savior.”“And what of it?” I said, looking at him with unwavering seriousness. “You saved a person. Soldiers are people too. You risked your life to save someone. The debt of gratitude exists, plain and simple. Our family has always been one to repay kindness. So remember this, Mr. Robinson. Our family owes you a favor. Should you ever ask, we will deliver.”&ldqu
Mason’s POVOutside the room, Lucy and I exchanged a glance.Our daughter hadn’t consulted us about the custody issue…Though I disapproved, I understood that if the agreement wasn’t voluntary, Everett’s coercion would be futile.I shouldn’t have softened my heart and let her keep this child in the first place.Now, all the problems I had feared were unfolding one by one.The child’s existence was out in the open, and a remarriage felt inevitable.My face darkened, a lump rising in my throat—stuck there, unable to rise or fall.But then my daughter spoke from the hospital room, clearly defending Everett.I turned to Lucy, my voice strained with resentment. “You shouldn’t have persuaded me back then.”She shot me a glance. “As if not persuading you would have made her agree to terminate the pregnancy.”“…”
Scarlett’s POVI took the phone from Eleanor.Morgan rarely updated her Twitter, usually posting only official content when work required it. Her personal feed was sparse—just a lone “Happy New Year!”This time, however, she’d made an exception to speak up for me.Morgan was now a major name in the entertainment industry. A versatile actress, she excelled not only in acting but in several other arts, her cello skills being the most impressive. After five years in the industry, she’d secured the Best Actress award last year for her role in Heart Strings, successfully elevating her status to top-tier.A warm glow spread through me as I read Morgan’s Twitter post.I opened WhatsApp, found her contact, and sent a message.Scarlett: (Why didn’t you consult me first? Aren’t you afraid of getting burned?)Morgan: (Do you think I’ve been in the industry all these years for not
Everett’s POVThere was a knock on the hospital-room door.Eleanor pushed it open and stepped inside. “Scarlett, Uncle and Aunt are on their way back.”As she spoke, her gaze shifted to me—a clear signal it was time for me to leave.But since I’d come, I had no intention of backing down.“I came not only to see you, but also to discuss something with your parents.”She frowned, clearly disagreeing. “My parents don’t know we were ever married. I only told them we parted ways amicably.”I was taken aback. “Why not?”“My family loves me deeply. They’re fiercely protective. When we divorced, things got ugly. If I’d told them the truth, knowing their tempers, they would have come looking for trouble. I didn’t want that. After all, setting aside our feelings, you’re still my savior.”My expression darkened. “So tha
Everett’s POVI felt warmth in my heart at her words of thanks.I understood clearly that Scarlett was allowing me to hold her now solely because I was her hero.This embrace expressed her gratitude toward me—it had nothing to do with romantic love.Yet I felt profoundly content.I was also grateful to fate for allowing me to protect my girl with my own hands.Ten years ago, I had protected my girl.May I continue to protect my girl for the rest of my life.The hospital room was quiet.The two of us embraced each other in silence.This long-overdue embrace only deepened my sense of fate’s cruel irony.I sighed softly. “If only I had recognized you sooner. Then I could have explained everything earlier, and you wouldn’t have been tormented by those memories all these years. Though it’s a bit late now, I believe it’s not too late.”“It’s not too late.” She gently pushed me away, tilting her chin slightly as she looked up at me.Our eyes met. Her smile was gentle and sincere. “Everett, t
Scarlett’s POVI froze at his words.Everett wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. “I’m sorry it took me until today to recognize you.”“You…” My damp lashes fluttered as my rationality slowly returned. Only then did I realize how close I was to Everett.I hastily withdrew my hand, my gaze drifting away, unable to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry… I lost control of my emotions just now.”Just moments ago, when he yanked the quilt away, his familiar, handsome face had been inches from mine.That distance, that view—it was exactly the same as when he’d rushed into the burning building and lifted me off the ground.Fragments of memory churned and rolled in my mind, and my eyes stung with tears.So I lost control and grabbed his collar, losing control of my emotions.Everett gently ruffled my hair, then sat up straight, creating space between us to give me time to adjust.Several minutes passed in silence.He asked softly, “Are you feeling any better now?”I sniffed back a sob. “Much bett