Chapter 2. ~. Final Goodbye!

Scarlett's POV

A week has passed since Ethan ripped my world apart, taking my son with him, and I'm left with a shattered heart and a crippling sense of powerlessness, a painful reminder of the rights I foolishly surrendered.

I feel empty, guilty, helpless and furious.

My heart? It felt like a thousand horses had raided down on it and I just couldn't breathe.

My 5 years of obsession had finally come to an end. I had loved and cherished one man, did everything in my heart to make him see me but somehow he only seemed to hate me more..

The ordeal has left me shattered and I don't think I can ever recover from it.

My daughter's tiny gentle hand wrapped against mine but it did nothing to erase the ache in my heart.

I had just one place to return to–My parents.

The notification of their text message beeped once more, shattering the silence.

[Come home, Scarlett. We have something to discuss with you]

I stared at the screen, the words blurring together.

Reaching the car, I fumbled with the keys before finally sliding into the driver's seat.

I swallowed the hard lump in my throat as my grip tightened on the steering wheels–A rush of emotions filled me, anxiety, fear, and guilt.

I gently cradled my week old baby, her fragile form swaddled safely in the sling.

Once I got to their mansion, my heels clicked against the pavement as I dragged my suitcase up the narrow rocky incline that led to the house that I grew up in.

As I stepped onto the porch, the creaking wooden boards beneath my feet echoed memories of childhood summers spent playing on these same steps, the familiar scent of fresh-cut grass and homemade cookies enveloping me like a warm hug.

But this time, the atmosphere was tense, and I knew just why.

They're aware of the news about my divorce and it's obvious they want to speak to me about it.

All I needed was their support at the moment.

“Scarlett!” My mother's voice was stern, the way it always got when she was about to deliver one of her lectures.

“Your father and I need to speak to you.” She said coldly as she settled on the sofa while I swallowed hard.

My dad walked in after a while, adjusting his pair of glasses.

Settling on the sofa, I began, “Mom. Dad–” My dad cut me off mid-sentence to my surprise, his raised hand a clear signal for me to stop talking.

“You're nothing but a disappointment to us. Because of you, Ethan pulled out his investments in your dad's company. Not just that, we've lost everything - the financial support, the social standing, the connections. If you hadn't...if you hadn't been unfaithful, he wouldn't have divorced you!!”. My mom yelled, her words sharp and accusatory as it directed at me with such ferocity..

I was momentarily taken aback. I never expected such harsh words to come from the person who was supposed to love and support me unconditionally

My gaze drifted towards my father, hoping to see any slight trace of concern and sympathy, but there were none.

“I never thought you'd end up bringing shame to our family!” He finally said, breaking eye contact with me.

I barely noticed the faint quiver in his voice as I sat frozen, memories flooding back of all the times I had been here, trying to make them proud and yet, it was never enough..

I opened my mouth to argue, to defend myself, but I couldn't find words.

“The Blackwood family is ending ties with us. The media is buzzing about your infidelity, Scarlett. If I knew you were going to end up ruining things for us, I wouldn't have let you marry Ethan. You got so accustomed to their wealth and ended up misbehaving! How shameless of you!!”

My dad bawled, and his words hurt even deeper than any physical wound, cutting through my heart and soul.

My heart crushed completely, and I felt all my hopes and sanity slipping away.

Shaking my head, I countered, “Dad. Do you think I can ever do such a thing? Do you not trust me enough?!”

“You failed in everything. You failed in your marriage with Ethan. How can we ever be happy with you? I should have known you weren't good enough for him from the onset. I should have made Charlotte marry him instead!”

My mom's words were like a dagger to my heart, twisting and turning with each cruel phrase, leaving me gasping for breath.

Her words echoed in my ears, leaving me speechless.

Charlotte is my younger sister, for Christ's sake! Does she really mean what she said? Would she have traded me for my own sister?

“You've not only ruined your reputation, but you've also cost me a multi-million dollar deal that would have secured our family's financial future. Your actions have consequences, and now I'm the one who has to deal with the fallout, trying to salvage what's left of our business and reputation.” My dad spoke coldly, his jaw clenched.

With a balled fist, I spat, “I deserve better than to be criticized and judged by the people who are supposed to love and support me!!”

“Stop it, Scarlett! Enough!” my mom yelled, anger flaring in her voice.

“Stop pretending like you belong here!”

What? What does she mean?

“Mom. I feel hurt. Why would you—”

“---You’re adopted. We thought it was time you knew.” Her words sliced through the air, and I felt my heart slammed in my rib.

My eyes went wide to twice their size as I struggled to process this newfound revelation.

“What?”

“Yes, Scarlett. You heard me clearly, you were adopted. After everything, it's clear you're not a part of this family.”

The room tilted. I felt colors draining from my face.

What? Adopted? My entire life I had felt like an outsider, the one who never fit in and I've always brushed it off as insecurities.

“We've had enough of your failures and we feel it's time you moved on.” My mom replied harshly, her words laced with venom.

I felt my entire world crumbling right in front of me.

I haven't even gotten from the shock of the divorce and betrayal and now, my own family has shattered my sense of identity and belonging.

“Leave, Scarlett. You're no longer needed. And thanks for ruining our lives. We'll definitely pick up our pieces.”

Hesitantly, I got on my feet, my expression filled with conflicting emotions.

I'm reeling from the revelation, trying to process what this means for my relationships, my past, and my future.

My stomach twisted. It was now it dawned on me.

They never loved me, nor did they care about my feelings.

They're only concerned about the benefits that are attached to being a part of the Blackwood's family.

I wasn't their daughter, and they didn't want me.

I clutched my baby, who was asleep on the sling, her soft breath comforting me for a moment, distracting me from the emotional turmoil.

Her tiny hands curled around my finger, holding on tight as if sensing my distress.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I whispered, “All my life, I've been living a lie and you're just telling me the truth?”

“Oh please. Just go. I don't want to see you ever again.” My mom snapped, her lips twitching as her face twisted in rage.

Charlotte walked down the stairs, her steps faltering.

“Mom. Please, don't let Scarlett go. She has nowhere to stay. Remember, we've been together for so many years.”

“She has to learn some lessons. Our reputation is in shambles because of her. We lost a great deal. Do you know what that means?”

“I understand that you're upset, but please –”

“No, Charlotte,” my mom countered, her voice resolute.

“But before she leaves, can you give me a moment to speak with her?” Charlotte implored, her eyes locked on mine.

“Fine.” My mom shot me a glare before turning around to leave.

Charlotte walked towards me, her lips curled into a sinister smile that sent a shiver down my spine, her eyes gleaming with a knowing look that made me wonder what she was thinking.

“Great riddance, sister!” She sneered triumphantly.

“How do you feel?”

“What are you saying, Charlotte?” I croaked out, trying to hide my distress as she stepped closer.

“Well. Well.” She mumbled, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

Confusion scrawled all over my face, my stomach feeling queasy.

“I'm sure you've always thought you were a part of this family. How amusing that you thought you belonged here!”

She paused and then continued.

“I can't believe you'd cheat on Ethan. Do you know how many ladies are dying to have him?” Her words sliced through the air, leaving an even darker cloud hanging over.

“I - never - cheated - on - him!” I snapped, my voice betraying me as it cracked at the edges.

“Oh, really?” She smirked, her lips twitching.

She crossed her arm, her demeanor so different from the woman I had always known.

“You've had quite the cushy life as a rich man's wife–no cooking, no cleaning, luxury, just leaching off him. Taking you into that family was the worst decision ever made!”

I froze as her words intensified the ache in my chest.

She twirled a strand of her own hair around her finger as she spoke, “Whoever made you cheat on Ethan did make my job easier. Watching you two live happily has always been a pain in the neck. You have always been stealing the spotlight, being the centre of attention,”

“You even had to bear Ethan's surname and get more fame being in the Blackwood's family. It's almost as if the universe revolves around you and everyone else is just a footnote in your perfect little life. I'm glad it's finally coming to an end!!”

Her words dripped with venom and malice as she circled me, her intense gaze holding me to a spot.

I never knew Charlotte had been envious of me. I mean, she had never shown any signs of it.

Lifting my chin with her finger, she whispered, “Now that you're finally out of Ethan's life, maybe he'll notice me for once.”

I yanked my face away, my heart pounding. “So, this is what you truly are.”

She smirked, “Yes. But trust me, I've only been silently praying for things to go sour between you and Ethan. And who knows, I might not even be the only one. It seems you've got so many enemies, darling sister.”

I watched as she threw her head backwards, a throaty laughter escaping her lips.

Shaking my head, I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat and gripped my luggages tightly.

I had to stay strong, and I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

“Congrats. Your prayers were finally answered, I guess. Good luck on getting Ethan all to yourself. I'm leaving and I won't be a bother to anyone.”

With that, I stepped out of the mansion, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions, but I tried hard to prevent a single tear from dropping.

A bitter ache spread through my chest as I opened the door of the car and slid onto the driver's seat. The door closes with a soft thud, sealing me away from the life I was leaving behind.

My daughter is all I have left. And I'll make sure to raise her far away from this toxic family.