\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shaun\u2019s sister-in-law, Priscilla Moore, was sitting at the side with her newborn, surrounded by a group of women cooing over the baby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet made her rounds, greeting Justine and the other ladies. She was just about to slip away for some fresh air when\u00a0<\/p>\n
Priscilla called out to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlet, do you want to hold him?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The baby was dressed in a soft cotton onesie with a little bunny print, tucked snugly into a white fleece blanket. He blinked his large, deep-set eyes at her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before Scarlet could decline, Priscilla had already eased the infant into her arms. \u201cGo on, hold him. Look at how much he likes you. He can\u2019t take his eyes off you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Left with no choice, Scarlet sat down, finding herself in a silent staring contest with the baby. To her surprise, he seemed to genuinely like her. He started blowing tiny bubbles and let out a gurgling laugh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet couldn\u2019t help but smile back. It was a strange, wonderful feeling to be liked by a child.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHi there,\u201d she whispered to him. \u201cMy name is Scarlet. What\u2019s yours?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Priscilla laughed. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t know who he is yet. Even if he did, he couldn\u2019t tell you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The baby\u2019s gold locket slipped out from under his blanket, and Priscilla tucked it back in. As she did, she caught sight of\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet\u2019s neckline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlet, you\u2019re wearing a lucky charm too!\u201d Priscilla exclaimed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The conversation shifted, and everyone\u2019s eyes landed on Scarlet\u2019s neck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was wearing a necklace with an emerald pendant-a rare stone with a vibrant green color. It was expertly carved into the shape of a locket, smooth and polished to a mirror shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet instinctively reached up to touch the necklace. She had worn it for so long that the emerald felt like a part of her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere did you get it? I\u2019d love to find a piece like that,\u201d Priscilla said with admiration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet shook her head. \u201cI\u2019m not sure. It was a gift.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Priscilla smiled knowingly. \u201cWilliam must have picked it out for you, then. In that case, I doubt I\u2019ll be able to find another.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet offered a faint smile in return. Sitting under the brilliant glow of the crystal chandeliers, she was suddenly transported back to a snowy New Year\u2019s Eve years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was midnight, and William was waiting for her downstairs in the cold. They had a frantic, heated embrace and a kiss in the middle of a blizzard. Then, he booked a private, massive display of fireworks just for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was a time when William had truly loved her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the older women who specialized in jewelry chimed in, \u201cYou don\u2019t see many young women wearing fine emeralds like that anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe color is incredible,\u201d Shaun\u2019s mother, Andrea Leslie, added with a kind smile. Then, she turned to Justine and said, \u201cYou really are lucky, Justine. William married such a wonderful wife.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Justine gave a polite, thin smile. \u201cI\u2019m not as lucky as you. You already have a grandson!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a casual remark, meant to deflect the praise, but it steered the conversation right back to the one topic Scarlet wanted\u00a0<\/p>\n
X CLOSE\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
to avoid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Andrea turned to Scarlet. \u201cSo, when are you and William going to have one of your own?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet fell silent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thankfully, Justine wasn\u2019t in the mood to discuss their family planning either and skillfully changed the subject. Scarlet handed the baby back to Priscilla and seized the chance to slip out through the side doors for some fresh air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outside, the pool area was quiet. Despite the cold, the pool was still filled with water, the surface shimmering under the\u00a0<\/p>\n
moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet had forgotten her coat, and the night air bit through her thin dress. She thought about going back inside to grab it, but through the glass doors, she could see the glowing lights and hear the echoes of laughter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That atmosphere of family bliss felt so foreign. She didn\u2019t want to go back inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet sat by the pool for a while until a housekeeper hurried over and draped a blanket over her shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Cooper, it\u2019s a bit chilly out here. Please, be careful not to catch a cold.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet accepted it gratefully. \u201cThank you. I\u2019ll just be a few more minutes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housekeeper left, leaving her alone in the courtyard. It was surprisingly peaceful out here, away from the forced socializing of the party.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the peace didn\u2019t last long. A sudden chill hit her back. She turned to find a seven or eight-year-old boy standing there, clutching a large water gun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet didn\u2019t recognize him, but she assumed he was a child of one of the guests. She figured it was just an accident and turned back around, only for another jet of water to hit her square in the shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked back. The boy, Niall Luther, was holding the gun up with a mischievous smirk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet frowned. \u201cDo I know you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNope.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why are you pointing that water gun at me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I feel like it!\u201d Niall chirped, firing another shot. \u201cWho told you that you could sit here?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Half of Scarlet\u2019s back was now soaked. In the cold fall air, the damp blanket felt like ice against her skin. She didn\u2019t take the blanket off, though. She knew the kid wasn\u2019t done.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stood up to leave, but Niall wouldn\u2019t let it go. He chased after her, aiming the gun at her legs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Most of the time, Scarlet had been a pushover. Having lost her parents and her home at a young age, she\u2019d learned the hard way how to blend into the shadows. She\u2019d been fostered, bullied, and eventually adopted into the Cooper family, where life as an outsider was never easy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had spent her life being cautious, reading the room, and never making a scene. She never asked for help because she knew there was no one to stand up for her. So, her first instinct was to run away from trouble.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But even a weak target had a breaking point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. \u201cYou should probably start running.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Niall didn\u2019t catch her drift. He kept pumping the handle of the water gun. \u201cWhy should I?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet stood there in her damp blanket, her voice steady and calm. \u201cBecause the water in that pool is freezing. You should warm up now so you don\u2019t cramp up when you fall in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
X CLOSE\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not gonna fall in!\u201d Niall started dancing around her, making shooting noises as he continued to fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet glanced toward the house. Unfortunately, there were people nearby. William was standing under the terrace with his hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly relaxed as his gaze drifted toward the pool.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlet\u2019s brow furrowed, and she slowly pulled her hand back, deciding against pushing the kid in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Next to William stood Brett Luther, who was eagerly lighting William\u2019s cigarette. \u201cI\u2019ve had experts look at the numbers. The ROI on this project is at least 200%. It\u2019s a guaranteed win.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The man went on and on, hyping up his company\u2019s latest venture as William listened uninterestedly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHeritage Bank\u2019s commercial loans aren\u2019t my department, Brett. You\u2019re talking to the wrong person,\u201d William said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, come now, you and Julian are family. It\u2019s all the same. Besides, you own half the bank. One word from you is all it takes, \u201cBrett replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
William didn\u2019t answer. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the poolside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brett followed his gaze and chuckled. \u201cAh, look at that kid. He always did have a thing for pretty women.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
William\u2019s gaze shifted to Brett, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. \u201cThat\u2019s your son?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe takes after his mother in looks, but he\u2019s got my brains. His teachers say he\u2019s a genius,\u201d Brett said, clearly proud. William reprimanded coldly, \u201cAren\u2019t you going to teach your child any manners? Do I have to do it for you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brett froze, startled by the sudden hostility. Before he could react, William crushed his cigarette in an ashtray and strode toward the pool.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing that Scarlet wasn\u2019t fighting back, Niall got bolder. He aimed the water gun directly at her face. \u201cLet\u2019s see what you look like without all that makeup!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before he could pull the trigger, a hand clamped down on his wrist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife\u2019s makeup looks perfect. Why would you want to ruin it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
William stood in front of Scarlet, his grip on Niall\u2019s wrist firm and unyielding. His dark eyes were devoid of any warmth. \u201d How dare you mess with my wife?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0 Chapter 10\u00a0 1\/3\u00a0 Chapter 10\u00a0 Shaun\u2019s sister-in-law, Priscilla Moore, was sitting at the side with her newborn, surrounded by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-end-of-the-contractstart-of-his-obsession"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}