Chapter 3

The next day, Scarlet was nursing the wounds she had sustained the night before when she heard footsteps approaching. Loud chaotic noises accompanied the footsteps.

“The Bloody idiot, where the hell is she? I know you are in there, you evil witch.”

Scarlet recognized her mother-in-law's voice. She struggled to get up in a bit to lock her door but she was not so fast. Her mother-in-law was in her room already.

Turning to face her, she watched as Rachel strode over to her, glaring at her, in a deadly way.

“You are so evil. What has the poor child done to you.”

“I did nothing to her. She started the trouble after I saw her in Lucas' bed.” Scarlet said weakly.

“She can't stoop so low to fight you, Scarlet. Maria is not a lowlife like you. You are just jealous of her because Lucas loves and prefers her to a scumbag like you.” 

Scarlet knew no amount of explanation was going to exonerate her. She stood there, dejected and overwhelmed with nothing to prove her innocence.

The door flung open to reveal Lucas. His eyes were filled with fury. He looked very upset. Scarlet held his hand, hoping he would be on her side this time.

“Lucas, please believe me. She started all these. I didn't hurt her.” Lucas shoved her aside. She cowered as he did that. The images of Maria's hands on his waist from the previous night flooded her mind. She felt used, like a fool. She felt she had gone far asking him to believe her since Maria was involved. He was never going to be on her side.

He finally spoke, his voice grumpy, he looked at her coldly devoid of any emotions. He felt spiteful towards her.

“Enough Scarlet. You talk too much. Your wrongdoings can not and will not be tolerated anymore in this house. Maria is hurt. And I don't want to see her sad.”

“Exactly, you need to rectify your wrongdoings this minute.”

Scarlet gave Lucas a puzzled look, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. 

Was Lucas trying to hurt her feelings the more?

“You need to apologize to her now.”

Scarlet tried explaining the situation to Lucas but no words came out. She stood in his front as if in a trance.

“Take her to my room now.” 

Scarlet tried pushing the bodyguards but she was already overpowered.

“You'll pay for this Lucas.” She shouted as the bodyguards dragged her to Lucas' room.

She wished the floor could rise up and swallow her or vanish into thin air, as she stood face to face with Maria, who was seated on the bed, grinning.

“On your knees.” Rachel shouted as she kicked her and forced her to kneel.

Scarlet was hopeless. She looked at Lucas and shook her head. Tears had welled up in her eyes. Hey eyelids twitched furiously as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. She was not willing to cry in the presence of all of them.

All the feelings, respect and love she had for Lucas died on the spot. She looked at him with disdain. She had been so blind, living in her utopia thinking Lucas will one day love her and discard Maria but she was wrong. He never loved her and he will never love her.

A surge of energy rushed through her. She stood up immediately.

“You want me to apologize to her right?” She shouted. “You want me to apologize to your mistress Lucas?” She asked, then suddenly ran out of the room.

“Follow her.” Lucas thundered.

The bodyguards charged after her. She ran straight to her room and grabbed her cell phone. She had just remembered she was trying to make a video on that night before Maria came into her room. Her phone captured everything.

The bodyguards came into her room trying to grab her.

“Don't you dare touch me.” She said, adjusting her pajamas. She went back to Lucas' room, her heart racing.

“You want an apology right? Here, see this and tell me who needs an apology.” She handed the phone over to Lucas.

Maria and Rachel looked at each other.

“Go on, play it.” Scarlet said.

Lucas pressed the play button. He looked at Maria and back to Scarlet.

“Lucas, get this lady out of here. She might hurt me again…...” Maria blubbered, drawing the bed sheet over her body.

“Hurt you? I thought you wanted an apology.” Scarlet rushed at her and dragged the bedsheet off her body. 

Lucas was not ready for any fight, he held scarlet's hand.

“Enough Scarlet. Let it go.” He growled.

“Enough, you said. Now that you've known the truth you still want to be on her side? You can't tell her she is wrong now? I do not deserve an apology from her or you or even your mother?” 

Scarlet was furious. She pulled her hand away and dashed towards Maria who cringed in fear. She gave her a slap and dragged her, making her sit on the floor.

Thud! 

She fell, banging her head on the side of the bedpost.

Lucas had never seen Scarlet so angry before. He knew Maria wanted her out and would do anything to make him throw her out of the house. 

Maria tried fighting back. Lucas was mad at her for lying to him. She wouldn't have been able to fight back if she was really weak like she had claimed. 

“The truth is obvious now, Scarlet. You should let this go already.” 

“You amaze me Lucas. You know the truth yet you are still fighting for your cheap side chick. Lucas, I'm your wife for God sake.” Scarlet cried out.

“I will compensate you. What do you want? A trip to Miami, shopping f*e, dollars, just name it. That should do.”

Scarlet pinched the bridge of her nose, smiling painfully. She looked at the man standing before her, the man she had given up everything for and loved sincerely. She felt nothing this time as she looked at him.

She didn't need his compensation as it meant nothing to her. Not after all the troubles she had gone through all for his sake. 

“I'll send the divorce papers. Sign them. I'm leaving.”

Lucas was too stunned to speak. He thought she was only trying to play a prank on him just to see his reaction. He gazed at her as she strode out of the room.

At this point, he wished he had the power to read people's minds.

Scarlet packed just a few of her clothes and took a long look at the room. Tears welled up in her eyes. 

She picked her phone and dialed a number. She went out of the room, dragging her bag behind her. Lucas, Maria and Claire all stood on the staircase watching her leave.

She walked with all the strength left in her. She was drained after the event that transpired between her and Maria. 

“You'll come back crawling. Begging us to take you back.” Claire shouted after her.

As soon as she stepped out, a breath of fresh air hit her face. She swallowed hard and took a deep breathe in. A luxurious car soon pulled up in front of her. 

“Grandpa……” she muttered, falling into his arms.