\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75 Empty Rooms\u00a0<\/p>\n
A rare smile softened Vincent\u2019s typically stern features as he looked at Sabrina. \u201cYes,\u201d he agreed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett watched as the two of them walked out of the main hall side by side, their forms receding into the distance. It was only when she finally averted her gaze that she became aware of the telltale wetness brimming in her own eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After Vanessa finished her breakfast, she suddenly glanced at the clock and realized how late it was getting. She dashed upstairs, calling over her shoulder, \u201cMom, I\u2019m just going to grab my backpack!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett watched Vanessa\u2019s retreating back, feeling a fresh, sharp sting behind her eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once she was seated again, Scarlett turned to Lily, who was hovering nearby, and asked in a carefully controlled voice, \u201cDid Sabrina stay here overnight?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily kept her head bowed, too nervous to meet Scarlett\u2019s gaze. \u201cI\u2026 I couldn\u2019t say, Mrs. Stewart.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A bitter, knowing smile touched Scarlett\u2019s lips. \u201cI thought as much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily looked profoundly uncomfortable. \u201cMrs. Stewart, you must understand\u2026 I\u2019m just a member of the staff. It\u2019s not my place\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s reply was calm, devoid of accusation. \u201cI\u2019m not blaming you, Lily.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, Vanessa came clattering back down the stairs, her small backpack slung over her shoulders. She eagerly grabbed Scarlett\u2019s hand. \u201cMom, can we go now? I don\u2019t want to be late!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking down into Vanessa\u2019s bright, upturned face-eyes that were a mirror of her own-Scarlett felt a piercing ache deep within her chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Perhaps Vanessa still needed a mother, but it was painfully clear that in Vanessa\u2019s world, Scarlett would always occupy a distant second place to Sabrina.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That evening, Scarlett went directly to Ravenshade Villa after finishing her hospital shift.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She knew Vincent\u2019s dismissive words that morning had been a deliberate power play, a way to make things difficult for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As long as Nathan and Violet were facing professional repercussions because of her, she would know no\u00a0<\/p>\n
peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had to resolve this situation, and quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily was visibly startled to see Scarlett return, though she dared not question her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Stewart, what would you like for dinner this evening? I can prepare anything you wish,\u201d Lily offered, maintaining her respectful demeanor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett shook her head. \u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary. I\u2019ll wait for Vincent to return.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily didn\u2019t press the matter and left her to her vigil.\u00a0<\/p>\n
THU\u00a0<\/p>\n
8\u00a0<\/p>\n
C\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u30ef\u00a0<\/p>\n
m\u00a0<\/p>\n
=\u00a0<\/p>\n
O\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0413\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thu, Jan 8\u00a0<\/p>\n
G\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75 Empty Rooms\u00a0<\/p>\n
53\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett waited in the quiet, spacious living room until eight o\u2019clock, but there was no sign of Vincent or the others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No Vincent, and no Vanessa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By nine o\u2019clock, a restless irritation had begun to set in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily had been keeping her a silent company, but she suddenly remembered something. \u201cMrs. Stewart, I\u2019ve just realized\u2026 it\u2019s the weekend. Ms. Stewart doesn\u2019t have school.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was confused. She turned to Lily. \u201cWhat are you implying?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily couldn\u2019t bring herself to meet Scarlett\u2019s gaze, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026 Mr. Stewart and Ms. Stewart\u2026 they might not return home tonight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Understanding dawned on Scarlett, and she frowned. \u201cIs it common for them not to come home on weekends?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily shifted uncomfortably. \u201cSometimes they do, sometimes they don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when they don\u2019t return,\u201d Scarlett pressed, her voice tight, \u201cwhere do they typically go?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lily was clearly nervous but felt compelled to answer. \u201cThey\u2026 they might go away for a short trip, or sometimes they stay at Ms. Monroe\u2019s residence. Their plans\u2026 They seem to vary from week to week\u2026\u201d The more she spoke, the quieter her voice became, until it was almost inaudible.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett understood completely now. \u201cI see,\u201d she said softly, the words heavy with resignation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to retire for the evening, Mrs. Stewart?\u201d Lily asked, seeking to be helpful. \u201cI can draw a bath for you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett stood up from the sofa, her movements decisive. \u201cNo, thank you. I\u2019ll be leaving now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She collected her bag and walked toward the door without a backward glance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing her determined exit, Lily called out anxiously, \u201cMrs. Stewart\u2026 does this mean you won\u2019t be\u2026 staying here anymore?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett paused at the threshold, considering the question for a long moment before replying in a quiet, hollow voice, \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After leaving Ravenshade Villa, Scarlett tried calling Vincent from her car. The call connected and rang, but no one picked up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Frustrated, she sent him a brief text message. \u201cWe need to talk. It\u2019s urgent.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stared at her phone screen, willing a response to appear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But after a long, agonizing wait, the screen remained stubbornly blank, offering no notification.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was finally forced to accept the obvious truth-Vincent was deliberately ignoring her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She drove back to Theron Manor. Once upstairs, she waited until Violet had finished putting Clara to bed,\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:07 Thu, Jan 8 G.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75 Empty Rooms\u00a0<\/p>\n
then quietly called Violet out into the hallway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet came to her room, and Scarlett asked anxiously, \u201cViolet, please be honest with me. Is everything alright at work?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet offered a reassuring smile that didn\u2019t quite reach her eyes. \u201cEverything is perfectly fine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
No matter how Scarlett phrased her concern, Violet parried with the same calm, evasive answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was painfully clear she didn\u2019t want to burden Scarlett with her troubles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing she would get no straight answers, Scarlett finally stopped pressing. After Violet returned to her own room, Scarlett made her way to Nathan\u2019s study.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was just about to knock when Nathan\u2019s voice, firm and resolute, carried through the door. \u201cI refuse to believe Vincent can control every facet of this city. Let him throw everything he\u2019s got at me-I will not be intimidated into submission.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing his defiant words, a wave of guilt and sorrow washed over Scarlett, making her feel even worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ever since her marriage, it seemed she had brought nothing but complications to her family. Now, just as she had finally found the resolve to break free, her family was being dragged into another predicament\u00a0<\/p>\n
because of her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After Nathan finished his call, Scarlett gently knocked on the study door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d Nathan called out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett pushed the door open and entered, forcing a cheerful smile onto her face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nathan was standing by the window. The ashtray on his desk was overflowing with cigarette butts, a testament to his prolonged agitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The entire room was thick with the lingering, acrid scent of smoke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett walked over and pushed the window open wider, allowing the cool night air to circulate. \u201cNathan,\u201d she began, her voice gentle with concern, \u201cit\u2019s very late. Shouldn\u2019t you be getting some rest?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u3002\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:07 Thu, Jan 8 JG.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 75 \u00a0 Chapter 75 Empty Rooms\u00a0 A rare smile softened Vincent\u2019s typically […]<\/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-27439","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\/27439","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=27439"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27439\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}