Silent Dreams Never Die — Author: John Miller 398
398 A Request
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Vincent thought for a moment before asking, “Was your mom good to you?”
Vanessa considered the question seriously, then answered, “I forget.”
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Her response gave him pause. He looked down at her, his tone gentle but earnest. “Vanessa, tell me the truth. Was she ever good to you?”
Instead of answering, Vanessa buried her face in his chest.
Seeing her reluctance, Vincent softly reminded her, “You used to say she was the best person in the world to you. You said you’d always stay with her.”
She had indeed said those things. But time had a way of shifting everything.
At his words, Vanessa’s eyes welled up. Memories of Scarlett’s kindness and all the loving things she’d said came rushing back with startling clarity.
Tears began to trace down her cheeks. Still, she clung to Vincent. “Daddy, let’s not think about Mommy anymore,” she whispered, her voice muffled. “That was all a long time ago. Now we have Sabrina.”
Hearing her say it, some of the tightness in Vincent’s chest eased. He stroked her hair. “You’re right,” he said softly. “With Sabrina, things will be better for us.”
The next morning, after getting ready, Vincent asked Lily to take over with Vanessa. When he came downstairs, Xavier was already in the living room.
Lily had set out breakfast. Xavier was eating while reading the morning paper–people of his generation preferred the feel of newsprint to screens, and this ritual was a fixed part of his day.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Xavier peered over his glasses. Seeing Vincent, he set the paper down. “Come here. I want to talk to you.”
Vincent acknowledged him and walked to the dining table.
After sitting down, Xavier picked up his paper again, feigning casualness. “Scarlett hasn’t been home in quite a while, has she?”
Vincent took a sip of his coffee. “No, she hasn’t.”
Xavier folded the newspaper shut and turned to him. “Whatever the situation, she should come home, don’t
you think?”
He continued, a note of gruff pride in his voice, “Am 1, an old man, not even allowed to be
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Chapter 398 A Request
upset?”
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All this time, Xavier had chalked up Scarlett’s refusal to come home to the fact that he’d never gone to visit her. When he’d learned about the terminated pregnancy, he had been furious–a feeling that still lingered.
He hadn’t expected that even after leaving the hospital, she wouldn’t return to Ravenshade. Villa.
Vincent listened without offering an explanation. He simply said, “I understand.”
Having vented, Xavier could only sigh in resignation. “Pick her up for dinner tonight. I have things to say to her.”
Just as Xavier finished speaking, Vincent set down his empty coffee cup. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. “Alright. I’ll bring her tonight.”
*****
At 5:30 that afternoon, Vincent’s call came through on Scarlett’s phone right on time.
Seeing his name on the screen, Scarlett froze for a second. She was in the middle of rinsing vegetables in the kitchen, one hand occupied. She initially thought about letting it go to voicemail, but then it rang again.
Still Vincent.
After a moment’s hesitation, she dried her hands on a dish towel and answered.
His calm voice came through. “Aren’t you off work yet?”
Off work? She was puzzled for a few seconds before replying with quiet sarcasm, “I’m not ‘at work‘. How could I be ‘off‘?”
Vincent sounded slightly confused. “So you’re at Theron Manor?”
Scarlett didn’t want to explain. “Sorry, that’s none of your concern,”
He didn’t take the bait. “Grandfather wants to see you. He said he has something to discuss.”
Scarlett didn’t bother with a reply this time. She simply ended the call.
Just as she put her phone away, a soft, weary call came from the bedroom. “Scarlett?”
She went straight in. Seeing Claire’s pale face, her heart clenched with a familiar ache.
She sat on the edge of the bed. Claire reached for her hand, eyes red–rimmed, and pleaded in a
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Chapter 398 A Request
fragile voice, “Could you… buy me a box of the morning–after pill?”
Finished
The request felt like a needle piercing straight through Scarlett’s heart. Looking at her friend in this state, her own tears threatened to fall.
Without a second thought, she squeezed Claire’s hand. “Okay,” she said, her voice thick. “I’ll go get it. Right now.”
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