\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 9 Let\u2019s Grab a Bite Together\u00a0<\/p>\n
M\u00a0<\/p>\n
46\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was holding Clara\u2019s hand, just steps from the hospital exit, when she collided with someone. It was Amanda-her face flushed with anger, still fuming over Vanessa\u2019s allergy scare and the ruined birthday dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda didn\u2019t even glance up before snapping, \u201cWatch where you\u2019re going! Are you in such a hurry you can\u2019t see straight?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
When she finally looked at who she\u2019d bumped into, her glare sharpened. It was Scarlett. Her temper flared even hotter, but before she could unleash another rant, Scarlett simply stepped around her, pulling Clara along. Violet followed, giving Amanda a polite, tight smile as she passed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda stood frozen for a second, then spun around, yelling after them. \u201cScarlett! You\u2019re just gonna leave your kid again? What kind of mother abandons her sick child?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett didn\u2019t stop. She\u2019d heard this before\u2014from Amanda, from Vincent, even from Vanessa. But this time, it didn\u2019t sting like it used to. She\u2019d spent five years feeding Vanessa, tucking her in, calming her nightmares, missing work to attend her doctor\u2019s appointments. If that made her a \u201cbad mom\u201d, then she didn\u2019t want to be a \u201cgood\u201d one anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda cursed under her breath, but by the time she\u2019d worked up another shout, Scarlett and the others were already out of earshot. She huffed, turning back to Vanessa\u2019s hospital room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside, Vincent was holding Vanessa, rocking her gently. Amanda stormed in, slamming a bag of takeout oatmeal on the nightstand. \u201cI thought you had work to finish at the office,\u201d she snapped. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you make Scarlett stay with her own daughter?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent set Vanessa down on the bed, tucking the blanket around her. \u201cVanessa comes first. Work can wait until tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda scooped the oatmeal into a bowl, her voice sharp. \u201cYou need to do something about Scarlett. She\u2019s ignoring Vanessa, skipping family dinners-she\u2019s practically asking for a divorce.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent took the bowl, stirring the oatmeal slowly. He didn\u2019t look up. \u201cShe\u2019ll get over it. She always does.\u201d He figured Scarlett was just upset about seeing him with Sabrina at Ravenshade Villa. A few days of silence, and she\u2019d be back to her usual self-quiet, compliant, ready to apologize for \u201coverreacting\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He fed Vanessa a few spoonfuls, then suddenly remembered-this week was probably Scarlett\u2019s ovulation window. If they could conceive their second child soon, he wouldn\u2019t have to keep making these monthly trips to Oakland Villa. He handed the bowl back to Amanda. \u201cMom, stay with Vanessa for a bit. I need to find Scarlett.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda thought he was going to scold her, so she nodded eagerly. \u201cGood. Tell her she can\u2019t\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0aa4\u0abe,\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 9 Let\u2019s Grab a Bite Together\u00a0<\/p>\n
keep acting like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
.0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the hospital entrance, Scarlett, Violet, and Clara stood by the curb, waiting for a taxi. Violet could see Amanda\u2019s words had hurt Scarlett-her shoulders were tight, her jaw clenched-but before she could say anything, Clara spoke up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAuntie, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Clara said, her voice small. She looked up at Scarlett, her eyes guilt. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have yelled at Vanessa. She\u2019s your daughter, and I made her cry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
wide with\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett knelt down, brushing a strand of hair from Clara\u2019s face. Her heart ached-not just for Clara\u2019s kindness, but for the contrast with Vanessa. \u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything wrong, Clara,\u201d she said softly. \u201cIf anyone\u2019s to blame, it\u2019s me. I spoiled Vanessa too much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clara threw her arms around Scarlett\u2019s neck. \u201cDon\u2019t be sad, Auntie. I\u2019ll always love you, no matter what.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s throat tightened. She hugged Clara back, then stood up as a taxi pulled over.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet smiled at her. \u201cYou\u2019ve really changed, Scarlett. For the better.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett let out a tired laugh. \u201cTook me long enough, though.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter late than never,\u201d Violet said, squeezing her arm. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett nodded, bending to help Clara into the taxi. But just as she was about to climb in herself, a cold, familiar voice called out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlett.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She froze. It was Vincent. She turned around, her expression neutral-no joy, no hurt, no longing. Just indifference. Like he was a stranger she\u2019d bumped into at the grocery store.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d she asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent walked closer, his hands in his pockets. \u201cLet\u2019s grab a bite together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett blinked. In five years of marriage, he\u2019d never once asked her to dinner. Not for their anniversary, not for her birthday, not even for a casual meal. She didn\u2019t delude herself into thinking this was a romantic gesture. He\u2019d probably found the divorce papers she\u2019d left in the study and wanted to negotiate. Or maybe he was just trying to guilt her into staying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Either way, she didn\u2019t mind. She needed to talk to him about the divorce anyway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She turned to Violet and Clara. \u201cViolet, take Clara home. I\u2019ll catch a ride later.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:28 Sat, Jan 3 \u2191\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 9 Let\u2019s Grab a Bite Together\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u5b98\u00a0<\/p>\n
46\u00a0<\/p>\n
Firushed\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet hesitated, then nodded. She knew Scarlett needed to handle this on her own. The taxi pulled away, and Scarlett climbed into Vincent\u2019s car.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The drive to Oakland Villa was silent. Scarlett stared out the window, watching the city lights blur\u00a0<\/p>\n
past. She didn\u2019t ask where they were going-she didn\u2019t care. When the car stopped in front of the Oakland Villa, she followed Vincent inside, still saying nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He led her upstairs to the master bedroom. Scarlett assumed he was going to talk about the divorce, but instead, he started unbuttoning his suit jacket.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She spun around, her face hot. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent paused, a smirk tugging at his lips. \u201cYou didn\u2019t think I brought you here for dinner, did you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s blood ran cold. She should have known. This room, this bed-they\u2019d never been about intimacy. Only about making a baby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we were here to sign the papers,\u201d she said, her voice steady.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s smirk faded. \u201cWhat papers?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett let out a bitter laugh. He hadn\u2019t even looked at the divorce agreement. \u201cThey\u2019re in the study. Go check for yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent stopped unbuttoning his shirt. For once, he didn\u2019t argue. He turned and left the room, heading for the study.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett let out a breath, running a hand through her hair. But just as she was about to sit down, her phone rang. It was her friend, Claire Wright.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She answered immediately, \u201cClaire? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Claire\u2019s voice was slurred, thick with tears. \u201cScarlett, I\u2019m so drunk\u2026 Can you come get me? I\u2019m at that bar. I\u2019m scared I\u2019ll pass out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s heart dropped. She didn\u2019t hesitate. \u201cI\u2019ll be there in ten minutes. Send me the exact address.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hung up, grabbed her bag, and rushed downstairs. Freya was walking out of the staff room, wearing a coat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Stewart?\u201d Freya asked, surprised to see her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to go,\u201d Scarlett said, hurrying toward the door. \u201cIf Vincent asks, tell him the divorce papers are in the study. If he has issues, he can call me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:28 Sat, Jan 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 9 Let\u2019s Grab a Bite Together\u00a0<\/p>\n
:..\u00a0<\/p>\n
Freya nodded, still confused, but Scarlett was already gone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
t\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
W\u00a0<\/p>\n
46\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f4f\u0fb2\u0f71\u0f724)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:28 Sat, Jan 3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 9 \u00a0 Chapter 9 Let\u2019s Grab a Bite Together\u00a0 M\u00a0 46\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 […]<\/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-27373","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\/27373","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=27373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27373\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}