\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 51 A Mother\u2019s Distance\u00a0<\/p>\n
80%\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett knew with chilling certainty that Vincent would never reconsider his decision, yet she remained rooted to the spot, her stubborn pride refusing to let he retreat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stood there until a pins-and-needles sensation crep up her legs, the physical numbness mirroring the emotional void spreading through her chest. Only when she could no longer feel her feet did she finally surrender, turning away with slumped shoulders to walk out of the hall in utter defeat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment she disappeared from view, Vincent lowered himself into his chair and confronted the dinner spread before him. The table groaned under the weight of numerous dishes, yet he merely picked at his food, his appetite gone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He recognized immediately that none of these dishes bore Scarlett\u2019s touch-the flavors, the presentation, everything screamed of Freya\u2019s competent but impersonal cooking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If he was completely honest with himself, Nolan meant nothing to him. What grated on his nerves, what stirred that simmering irritation within him, was the unwavering certainty with which Scarlett always defended the man, that self-righteous conviction in her voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Well, if she had already cast him as the villain in this drama, he might as well embrace the role fully and see this through to the final act.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outside, Scarlett remained sitting in her car for what fel like an eternity, the engine off and silence pressing in on her from all sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A wave of frustration washed over her, followed by creeping doubt. Had she been too rash? Had her confrontation only poured gasoline on the fire?\u00a0<\/p>\n
There might have been other ways to handle the situation, avenues left unexplored that could have salvaged something for Nolan. Now, she feared, she had only succeeded in digging his hole deeper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet, a small, rational voice whispered in her mind that even if she had held her tongue, Nolan\u2019s circumstances would likely have improved very little. Vincent\u2019s mind, once set, was like granite.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, Scarlett\u2019s phone started ringing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She glanced down at the screen-it was Vanessa calling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hesitated for a second before picking up. \u201cVanessa, what\u2019s up?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her voice had a sharp coolness to it now, a distance that hadn\u2019t been there before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa caught on right away. \u201cMom, are you at Theron Manor right now?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ever since she\u2019d told Scarlett to leave Theron Manor, a weird unease had been nagging at Vanessa-this constant fear that Scarlett didn\u2019t love her anymore,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett answered flatly, \u201cNo, I\u2019m not.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s voice drooped with disappointment. \u201cOh? You\u2019re still at work? I was thinking\u2026 maybe I could go see Grandma at Theron Manor.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t actually want to visit her grandma-this was just a test, to see if Scarlett still cared about what she\u00a0<\/p>\n
wanted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:28 Wed, Jan 7\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 51 A Mother\u2019s Distance\u00a0<\/p>\n
80%\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019d tried the same trick a few days earlier with the kindergarten event, and Scarlett had turned her down then, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett had said she was busy. Vanessa had told herselfver and over that if Scarlett hadn\u2019t been busy, she would\u2019ve definitely gone with her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett shot down the idea. \u201cThat\u2019s not necessary. Your randma needs her rest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After Vanessa\u2019s last visit, Diana had fallen ill.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett knew precisely why-Vanessa\u2019s words and behavior had upset her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t a serious physical ailment, but emotionally, Diana just couldn\u2019t seem to move past it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Feeling her options dwindling, Vanessa lowered her voice and asked tentatively, \u201cMom\u2026 are you still mad at me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s demeanor remained frosty. \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
When disappointment accumulated enough, expectations finally ceased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And when there were no more expectations, there was nothing left to be angry about.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa tried again, her voice cautious and pleading, \u201cMom, can you pick me up from school tomorrow?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa kind of liked it when Sabrina picked her up-her classmates always commented on how beautiful Sabrina was, and it made her feel proud.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But ever since she\u2019d told Scarlett to leave, a guilty little feeling had been niggling at her. She wanted to make things right with Scarlett.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If they could patch things up, she could finally relax-le Sabrina pick her up every day without that heavy weight on her chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Otherwise, that worry would just keep eating away at her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett had no clue what Vanessa was thinking, but she really didn\u2019t have time tomorrow-so she turned her down again. \u201cVanessa, I\u2019ve got to work tomorrow. Ask your dad to pick you up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa had no choice but to sigh in defeat. \u201cOkay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett didn\u2019t even seem like she wanted to talk more. \u201c\u2018m gonna hang up now. Go get some rest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before Vanessa could even say anything back, Scarlett ended the call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She drove back to Theron Manor, getting there a little after 8 PM.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she parked her car and walked toward the entrance, he ran into Henry-he was on his way out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDad, what\u2019s going on? Where are you headed?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Henry replied, \u201cClara\u2019s been out playing for quite a while. I\u2019m going to find her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDad, let me go. You should stay and rest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Henry nodded in agreement. \u201cAlright. I\u2019ll have the staff eep dinner warm for you. You can eat when you get\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:28 Wed, Jan 7\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 51 A Mother\u2019s Distance\u00a0<\/p>\n
back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f66 \u0f5f\u0fad 80%E\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett stepped through the gates of Theron Manor one again, the evening air cool against her skin. Parked directly across the street sat a sleek black luxury sedan, its engine idling quietly in the growing darkness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside the vehicle, Vanessa\u2019s eyes widened the moment he spotted her mother emerging from the estate. \u201cMr. Reed, please open the door!\u201d she urged the driver, Her voice tight with urgency. \u201cI can see Mom!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sam Reed, the family driver, had already noticed Scarlet\u2019s approach. With practiced efficiency, he exited the vehicle and moved to open the passenger door for the eager young girl.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At that same moment, Scarlett\u2019s voice cut through the twilight, warm and carrying. \u201cClara! Dinner time, sweetheart!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The immediate response came from the direction of the nearby plaza. \u201cAuntie, I\u2019m coming!\u201d Clara\u2019s cheerful voice rang out before she even came into view.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Less than a minute later, the little girl came sprinting across the pavement, her small shoes pattering against the pavement. Without breaking stride, she launched herself directly into Scarlett\u2019s waiting embrace, trusting completely that her aunt would catch her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re home!\u201d Clara gasped, slightly breathless from her run as she nestled comfortably in Scarlett\u2019s arms. \u201cWas your day very tiring? Grandma told the kitchen staff to prepare all your favorite dishes specially for you!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A genuine smile finally touched Scarlett\u2019s lips as she adjusted her hold on the child. She lifted Clara effortlessly, bringing them eye to eye before leaning in to gently press her forehead against the little girl\u2019s in a tender gesture. \u201cThe moment I see your smiling face, all my weariness just melts away,\u201d she murmured, her voice softening. \u201cHow could I possibly feel tired when I have the world\u2019s sweetest niece to welcome me home?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clara giggled delightedly and cupped Scarlett\u2019s face with her small hands. \u201cAuntie, you look so pretty today!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for the sweet compliment, Clara. You\u2019re absolutely adorable, too!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut everyone says I\u2019m chubby.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are not chubby at all! As you grow up, you\u2019ll change. All girls transform beautifully as they get older.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Send Gifts\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u3002\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 51 \u00a0 Chapter 51 A Mother\u2019s Distance\u00a0 80%\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 Scarlett knew with […]<\/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-27415","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\/27415","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=27415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27415\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}