~~Scarlette~~The stare in Liam’s eyes was intense—fucking intense. Like he’d been suppressing his anger for days, just waiting for the right moment to explode.“What are you talking about?” Ethan snapped, still seated while Liam stood over him, towering and calm—but only on the outside.“What’s going on here?” Mother chimed in, voice laced with fake concern, the kind that almost sounded like tears. “Why does it feel like there’s no peace anymore? Ever since Scarlette came into your life, Liam, you’ve been different. Like you’re under some damn spell.”I swallowed hard.“It’s just me,” Liam said, his voice low. “I’ve always minded my business. Tell me—since when did it become wrong to love a woman?” He turned to Mother. “Forgive me, but I’ve loved Scarlette ever since Ethan married her.”My breath caught in my throat.“Also forgive me… for being obsessed with my brother’s wife.”“What the hell?” Ethan barked, standing up now.Liam kept going, like a man possessed. “Forgive me for seei
We were downstairs… and of course, my body was itching—itching to hear what the hell Liam had to say to Ethan. What unfinished business? He was too damn serious about it. And I could tell—it wasn’t just about confronting Ethan over Emelia or what she had done to me.Liam rolled a chair out from the dining table and carefully lifted me from the wheelchair, settling me on it.The dining room was empty. No sign of Mother.Not even Emelia, who was always glued to her phone on the couch like she had no purpose in life. Maybe this time, she didn’t want to show her face after what she pulled. Good.And Ethan? The one Liam was dying to see? Nowhere in sight.I didn’t press further about Liam’s unfinished business. I didn’t want to trigger another argument. Not here. Not now. And definitely not in front of people who would just pretend to care—especially Mother. She’d sit back and sip her tea like the drama was background music.Then Madam Julie walked out of the kitchen with a tray.My stomac
~~Scarlette~~Since Liam didn’t believe me the first time—when I told him I didn’t just slip… that Emelia pushed me—maybe now he would.Maybe now that he saw it with his own eyes.Emelia stood frozen. Her chest rising and falling fast. Panic clear on her face.“Um…” she started, but her voice shook. She stuttered like a damn amateur liar.She stepped closer to Liam, who still stood at the doorway. Silent. Shocked.It was probably a lot for him to take in. He hadn’t said a word again. His jaw clenched, eyes cold, like he was holding himself back from snapping in two.“Liam…” Emelia began with that fake soft voice. “You see… I was just helping Scarlette to… um, bathe. When you left, she was calling for help.”Calling for help?I stared at her. My mouth hung open.Is she seriously lying right to my face right now?I’m right fucking here. Alive. Watching her lie like I’m invisible.Bitch.Liam blinked slowly. His voice was low. “She called for help?”Emelia nodded. Innocent. Like butter w
~~Scarlette~~“So… I use a wheelchair now?” I asked, my voice shaky as he dragged the chair from the corner near the window. His other arm still held me like I was made of glass.“It’s just temporary, huh?” he replied. “It’s not like your legs are totally damaged. I’d be damned if it gets to that stage.”He pushed open the bathroom door and gently lowered me into the wheelchair.I tried to hold back my tears. But my chest was tight, and my mind was cracking apart.My life…It sucked.It was the kind of life that made you wish you were never born.The kind that made you regret marrying your first husband.The kind that made you wish you had the perfect glittery life people only display.I watched Liam as he turned on the water tap in the tub, letting it run.He dipped his hand inside, maybe checking how warm it was.“Do you want me to help you before Julie comes in?” he asked, kneeling down in front of me.“You need a proper bath. It’s only been sponge-cleaning since... well, since eve
~~Scarlette~~The beep of the alarm hit my ears first.I felt weak—my legs, my body, even my fingers. Everything ached like I’d been run over. My eyes felt heavy, like someone had poured sand in them.But what struck me was the smell.Instead of the sharp, cold smell of antiseptics and bleach—like hospitals usually have—I smelled cologne. Familiar. Warm. Liam’s. And then… something awful. Soup? God, whatever it was, it smelled totally wrong.I forced my eyes open, ignoring the ache.This wasn’t the hospital.This was our room. Mine and Liam’s.How the hell am I here?I tried turning to the side, but my body said no. My limbs felt pinned down, useless. So I moved my hand instead. Slowly. It brushed against something warm. Someone.Liam.I could smell him—like he was stitched into my skin. And weirdly, his scent was all over me, like he hadn’t left my side.“You’re awake?” His voice came out rough, sleepy.He sat up, rubbing his eyes like a boy who didn’t sleep much.“Liam…” My throat w
~~Scarlette~~“Why are you with my phone?” Liam’s voice cut sharp as he stepped toward me, his towel barely holding to his hips, water still dripping from his chest.I didn’t flinch. I held the phone tighter.“What exactly is Kai talking about in this message?” I asked, my voice rising with each word. “And what prank? Who’s the ‘she’ he’s referring to, Liam?”His eyes darkened. “Hand me the phone,” he said, voice cold and low as he stretched his hand toward me. “Whatever Kai said… it’s not important.”“Not important?” I snapped. “You better make it important. Because right now, I’m standing here with your phone and a message that smells like betrayal.”“Give me the damn phone. Now.”“No,” I said, stepping back as he stepped forward.“Why are you going through my phone in the first place?” he asked, his tone laced with frustration.“Because I have every right to,” I snapped back. “Unless you’re hiding something. Which—let’s be honest—you clearly are.”“Since when are you interested in