Chapter 6
“Ms. Larson, I must say, I’m impressed by how quickly you change faces.” I cast her a brief glance before picking up my bag, ready to leave for the Fullers’ home.
Since Ashton refused to go, I had no choice but to go in his place.
Just as I reached the door, Rebecca suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my path. With Ashton not around, she finally dropped her innocent act. Her sharp voice cut through the air, “When are you going to sign the divorce papers?”
I paused for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. Meeting her gaze, I asked, “Are you trying to play the homewrecker by forcing me to divorce him?”
“You’re the homewrecker!” My words seemed to strike a nerve. Her face darkened as she snarled, “If it weren’t for you, I would have been the rightful lady of this house by now! With George gone, no one is left to protect you. No one to ensure you can keep living here. If I were you, I’d take Ashton’s money, sign the papers, and disappear.”
“Well, it’s a pity you’re not me, Ms. Larson.” I shot back, my tone icy. Ignoring her hostility, I moved to step past her and head downstairs. Aside from Ashton, no one had the power to truly hurt me.
Rebecca, used to always being the center of attention, was unsatisfied with my indifference. She suddenly grabbed my arm tightly, her fingers digging into my skin. “How shameless can you be, Scarlett? Ash doesn’t even love you. What’s the point of clinging to him?”
I turned back to her, my voice calm but edged with amusement. “If you already know how he feels, then why are you so nervous?”
“You—” She flushed red, momentarily at a loss for words.
Leaning in slightly, I lowered my voice and smirked. “As for why I’m holding onto him…” I paused, drawing out my words deliberately before saying, “He’s got some incredible skills. So tell me, why wouldn’t I?”
“You’re disgusting!” Rebecca’s face burned with fury. Her hands shot up in a rush of emotion, aiming to shove me.
With the stairs directly behind me, my instincts kicked in. I twisted aside to dodge her attack.
What I didn’t expect was for her to lose her own footing.
With a sharp cry, she tumbled down the stairs.
“Ahhhh!” Her piercing scream echoed through the living room.
I stood frozen, staring in stunned silence as her body crumpled at the bottom of the staircase.
Before I could react, a gust of icy air swept past me, and I felt myself being roughly shoved aside. Ashton appeared in an instant, rushing past me to reach Rebecca.
Curled into a fetal position on the floor, she clutched her abdomen, her face ghostly pale. Her voice was weak, trembling. “My child… my child…”
A dark stain spread across the carpet beneath her—blood.
My heart turned cold.
She was pregnant?
With Ashton’s child?
“Ash… the baby… the baby…” Rebecca clung to Ashton’s sleeve, repeating the words like a broken record.
Ashton’s forehead was beaded with sweat. His face, usually composed, had darkened with barely contained panic.
“Don’t be afraid. The baby will be fine,” he reassured her, gathering her into his arms before striding toward the door.
But just as he reached the threshold, he suddenly stopped.
His gaze flickered back to me, and when he spoke, his voice was low and ice-cold. “I bet you’re pleased, Scarlett.”
Hatred and fury laced his words, cutting through me like a blade.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I didn’t know how to respond.
“Aren’t you going to explain yourself?” A deep voice sounded from behind me, snapping me out of my daze.
I turned sharply and found myself staring at Jared, who had appeared without me noticing.
Suppressing the unease rising within me, I kept my voice steady. “Explain what?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you worried that Ashton will believe you pushed Rebecca?”
Lowering my gaze, I let out a quiet laugh, tinged with bitterness. “It doesn’t matter whether I pushed her or not. What matters is that she’s hurt, and someone has to take the blame.”
Jared studied me for a moment before letting out a low hum. “Good that you understand.”
Without another word, he turned and descended the stairs, carrying his medical kit, most likely heading to the hospital.
I stood motionless in the empty hallway, the cold air wrapping around me like a suffocating shroud.