CHAPTER 7

Scarlett

Zoe had gone to get her hair done at the salon while I decided to remain since it was a little cold. I pulled the blanket tightly around my body, which was still healing.

My mind was as though a knife had been taken to every memory and left pieces scattered at every angle.

I didn't feel like talking or even facing anyone. But I was fed up with feeling like a victim.

I looked at my phone's screen and assumed that it was Daniel trying to reach me at first so I ignored it.

Then it buzzed again. From a distance, I looked at the screen expecting to see Daniel or his mother's call, but instead it was from an unknown number.

UNKNOWN: Hi Ms. Brown. This is Mr. Lewis Gray from AC STUDIO'S. I believe you received our offer last week. We’d still be honored to have you join us—starting immediately, if you’re ready.

I stared at the message.

AC STUDIO'S I pulled out my eyes remembering how bad Daniel used to mock them. He even went to the extent of asking me not to take their offer.

I clicked the email attached, and there it was—the offer letter I never opened. Something that had a promotion, triple salary, and my own department.

My heart hardened as I wondered how Daniel didn't want me to have this life

“Take it,” I whispered to myself, surprised at my own voice.

Before I could overthink, a knock sounded. Sharp. Repetitive. Aggressive.

My heart dropped.

Daniel.

Zoe wasn’t home.

He banged again.

“Scarlett! Open the door! I know you're in there.”

I couldn't believe he still had the nerve to come back after everything. Daniel Cross must be dreaming to think I'd dare open that door. I walked up closely and started to listen.

“Scarl, honey, please…we can make this right,” he said in a cracked tone but I didn't care.

“Stop it Daniel, you need to leave," I said through the door.

"I'm not going anywhere. You can't just disappear like that Scarlett. You even blocked me and I'm losing my mind—”

My jaw clenched.

“It's your child that you lost,” I corrected him roughly.

"Not your mind!”

Silence reigned for some time

A long, guilty silence that none of us could explain.

“I didn’t know,” he finally whispered. “You should have told me deserved to know—"

A laugh escaped me, bitter and sharp.

One who had so much pain converted strength.

“You didn’t even deserve the truth. You deserve exactly what you gave me—lies, betrayal, and pain.”

“Scarlett—”

The door opened behind me so suddenly I jumped—but it wasn’t Zoe. For a moment, I thought he had entered, but it was someone else.

A tall man with wide shoulders, sun-browned skin, and a calm look stood in the hallway. He wore a fitted suit, sleeves rolled, tie loose as he’d rushed straight from work.

His eyes flickered from me to Daniel.

“Is this man troubling you?” he asked, his deep voice controlled but dangerous.

Daniel straightened. “Who the hell are you?”

The stranger stepped slightly ahead of me, blocking Daniel from view.

“I’m Lewis Gray,” he said. “CEO AC STUDIO'S”

Daniel’s face fell. I could tell he was wishing his ears lied.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered.

Lewis didn’t bother to speak to him again—only to me.

“Ms. Brown,” he said gently. “I was in the area and thought I’d deliver your contract personally. A woman of your skill deserves more than an email.”

I blinked.

He… came here? Himself?

My heart thumped painfully—this was the first time a man had spoken to me without entitlement, pity, or manipulation since everything began.

Daniel swallowed hard before saying, “Scarlett, you’re not seriously considering working for some—”

Lewis turned his head slightly.

“A man who values her?”

Silence burned between them.

Daniel scoffed. “She’s my wife.”

I stepped out from behind Lewis.

“I never got to be.”

My voice didn’t shake.

For the first time in days—maybe months—I felt like myself again.

Daniel reached out, trying to touch me, and Lewis instantly blocked his hand mid-air.

“Don’t,” he warned.

Daniel's frown lines were so visible as though he was about to throw a punch.

Before anything else could happen Zoe pulled into the parking lot only to jump out running towards us as though a war was coming.

“What the hell is happening here?” she asked before looking at Daniel and asking what he was doing here. He didn't say anything but Lewis responded.

“Your friend was about to sign her future,” Lewis said simply before adding, “Unless someone here has a problem with that.”

Daniel’s eyes darted between all three of us—he was outnumbered, outmatched, and out of excuses.

“This isn’t over,” he muttered before walking away, humiliated.

Good.

For once I wasn’t the one walking away broken.

When he finally disappeared, my legs gave out with relief, and Zoe rushed to steady me.

Lewis handed me a clean, sleek folder.

“Take your time reading it,” he said softly. “But Scarlett… I hope you say yes.”

I swallowed, staring at him.

This was it.

My first step out of the ashes.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He nodded once and walked away, leaving his cologne, confidence, and a spark of something unfamiliar in the air.

Hope.

Zoe squeezed my hand, smiling.

“Well,” she whispered, “that was… a moment.”

I opened the folder.

AC STUDIO'S Contract — Scarlett Brown — Department Head

I smiled for the first time in days.

“I’m taking it,” I said.

And for the first time since everything fell apart.

I felt like the beginning of something new.