Chapter 5 No More Secret Stalking\u00a0<\/p>\n
46\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Scarlett opened her eyes again, she was lying in a hospital room, the sterile smell of antiseptic hanging in the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melinda popped her head in a few minutes later, checking her vitals and reminding her to stay in the hospital for two more days of observation. Even after discharge, she\u2019d need to take it easy for a full month-no strenuous work, no stress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett nodded along to every word. She\u2019d already made up her mind-she was going to take that month seriously. Her body was hers, after all-not a tool for the Stewarts, not something to neglect. For the first time in years, she was putting herself first.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Melinda left, Scarlett picked up her phone, half-expecting to see a missed call or text from Vincent. Nothing. Not a single notification.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She shouldn\u2019t have been surprised-last night\u2019s fight, her leaving, the surgery-none of it mattered to him. To the Stewarts, she was just a blip on their radar, easily ignored.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But for Scarlett? It was a turning point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally seeing them for who they really were-selfish, cold, ungrateful-was a relief, not a heartbreak. No more late nights overthinking, no more clinging to false hope. Just clarity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Old habits tugged at her, though. She found herself opening the video app almost on autopilot. The first recommendation? A new post from Sabrina, tagged with \u201cSomeone you may know\u201d. The video showed Sabrina holding a small hand; even from the back, Scarlett recognized Vanessa\u2019s curly hair instantly. The caption read, \u201cThere\u2019s no feeling like being needed.\u201d And the background? The living room of Ravenshade Villa-Vincent\u2019s \u201csecret\u201d villa for Sabrina.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett let out a soft, tired smile. She\u2019d once cried over posts like this, stayed up all night replaying them in her head. Now? She long-pressed the screen and tapped \u201cNot Interested\u201d. The days of secretly stalking her husband\u2019s mistress were over.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After leaving the hospital, Scarlett hired a part-time caregiver to help with meals and chores, then spent the entire month resting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A month later, she paid the caregiver, slipped into a crisp white dress, applied a light layer of makeup, and drove back to Rivergate. It was the fifteenth-her and Vincent\u2019s \u201cscheduled\u201d night for trying to conceive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Truth be told, Scarlett had never enjoyed those nights. Vincent had always treated it like a chore, rushing through it so he could leave for Sabrina as soon as possible. But tonight, she wasn\u2019t there for a baby. She was there to hand him the divorce papers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She arrived at Oakland Villa at seven. Freya greeted her warmly and offered to make dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:27 Sat, Jan 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 5 No More Secret Stalking\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett ate a quiet meal alone, then headed upstairs to the study. The divorce agreement was still on the desk, exactly where she\u2019d left it a month earlier-untouched, unread. Vincent hadn\u2019t been home once in that time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She waited until nine, her patience wearing thin, when she heard footsteps in the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat-maybe he\u2019d finally show up. But when the door opened, it was only\u00a0<\/p>\n
Freya.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Stewart,\u201d Freya said, looking uncomfortable, \u201cMr. Stewart just called. He said he\u2019s tied up tonight and won\u2019t be coming home. He asked if you could come back next month instead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett let out a bitter laugh. Next month? She\u2019d shown up this month, but who knew if she\u2019d even be in Rivergate by then. She was tired of waiting-tired of being trapped in this gilded cage of a marriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a moment\u2019s pause, she stood up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he does come back,\u201d she told Freya, \u201ctell him I left something for him on the desk. It\u2019s important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Freya nodded. \u201cI will, Mrs. Stewart.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett grabbed her bag and walked out of Oakland Villa, the night air cool against her face. She got in her car and drove, no destination in mind-just needing to get away. Eventually, she found herself parked outside a building with bright lights-Rivergate Grand Hall. A crowd of well-dressed people was spilling out, laughing and chatting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then she saw them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent and Sabrina, flanking Vanessa, each holding one of her hands. The three of them were smiling, their heads tilted together like they were sharing a private joke. Vanessa was bouncing on her toes, talking a mile a minute.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSabrina, you were so pretty up there! Like a fairy!\u201d she gushed, swinging Sabrina\u2019s arm. \u201cYour piano playing was amazing-can you teach me when I\u2019m older? Please?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina was wearing a floor-length white gown, her hair pulled back in a sleek bun, looking like she\u2019d just stepped off a red carpet. She bent down and leaned forward, booping Vanessa\u2019s nose playfully. \u201cI\u2019d love to-anytime you want.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa cheered, then turned to Vincent. \u201cDaddy, isn\u2019t Sabrina the best?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s eyes softened-the kind of softness Scarlett had never seen directed at her. He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. \u201cYeah, she is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just one word, but it was enough to tell Scarlett everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa beamed. \u201cWhen I grow up, I wanna be just like her!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:27 Sat, Jan 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter & No More Secret Stalking\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u96f6\u56de\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett watched through the windshield, her chest tight. Vanessa had never looked at her that way-never admired her, never begged to be like her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She thought back to the years she\u2019d spent as a full-time mom-covered in spit-up, up at 3 a.m. with a fussy baby, giving up her career as a pediatric surgeon to stay home. She\u2019d stopped wearing makeup, stopped playing the piano, stopped being Scarlett-all to be \u201cMom\u201d and \u201cMrs. Stewart\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To Vanessa, she was just the woman who cooked her meals and folded her clothes. Sabrina was the exciting one-the one who played piano, wore pretty dresses, and made her dad smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the entrance of the hall, Vanessa held out her arms, whining. \u201cSabrina, carry me! Please?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent stepped in quickly. \u201cVanessa, Sabrina\u2019s wearing a gown-it\u2019s not easy. Wait till we get to the car, okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s lower lip stuck out, her eyes watering. Sabrina saw her pout and immediately knelt down, lifting her into her arms. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, sweetie-I don\u2019t mind.\u201d She smiled at Vincent, like they were a team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s face softened even more. He walked behind them, carefully lifting the hem of Sabrina\u2019s gown so she wouldn\u2019t trip on the steps. This was the man who ruled Rivergate\u2019s business world with an iron fist-who never apologized, never bent, never showed weakness. And here he was, fussing over a woman\u2019s dress like a doting husband.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They climbed into Vincent\u2019s Rolls-Royce and drove away, laughing. So this was his \u201cbusy night\u201d-a concert with Sabrina and Vanessa, playing happy family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett laughed too, a cold, hollow sound. She sat in her car for a long time, watching the empty parking spot where they\u2019d been, until her phone rang. It was Spencer Jenkins, her supervisor at the hospital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlett?\u201d his voice came through the line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She composed herself. \u201cHi, Spencer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett majored in pediatric surgery. After being a full-time mom for four years, she returned to the workforce and was working as a junior doctor at the hospital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGood news-your training can end early. You can come back to work next week, if you want.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to stay in Rivergate, where every street corner reminded her of the Stewarts. \u201cSpencer, what about that volunteer program? The one doing health checks for kids in the countryside?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was a pause. \u201cYou mean the rural clinic gig? It\u2019s tough-long hours, basic facilities, and it won\u2019t do much for your resume. We have spots, but no one\u2019s pushing you to take it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:27 Sat, Jan 31\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 5 No More Secret Stalking\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
46\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to take it,\u201d Scarlett said firmly. \u201cThink of it as a break. I need some time away from the city.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Spencer could hear the resolve in her voice. \u201cAlright. You can go for two months. I\u2019ll send you the details tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
*****\u00a0<\/p>\n
A month passed in a blur. Vanessa had started kindergarten, and without Scarlett around to \u201ctry\u201d for a second baby, Vincent was getting pressure from Amanda and the Stewart elders. On the fifteenth, he showed up at Oakland Villa earlier than usual-before six.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Freya was shocked to see him. \u201cMr. Stewart, you\u2019re home early!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent didn\u2019t explain. He just headed upstairs, pausing to tell her, \u201cIf Mrs. Stewart comes back, send her to the bedroom.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Freya nodded, watching him go. He walked right past the study-didn\u2019t even glance at the desk where the divorce papers sat\u2014and went straight to the master bedroom. He was only here for one thing-to make sure Scarlett got pregnant. Nothing more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a shower, he put on a pair of sweatpants and waited on the bed, scrolling through work emails. Seven o\u2019clock came and went. Eight. Nine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Three hours later, he was starting to get annoyed. Just as he was about to call Scarlett, he heard footsteps in the hallway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
C\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0394\u0399\u0391\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:27 Sat, Jan 3 \u2191\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 5 Chapter 5 No More Secret Stalking\u00a0 46\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 When Scarlett opened […]<\/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":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27369","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=27369"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27369\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}