Chapter 6: Hereditary illness

Scarlett’s Point of View

From that day onward, I couldn't comprehend the sudden change in Storm's behavior. It was a perplexing enigma to me. However, after two years of absence, he finally began to spend his nights under our roof once again.

Perhaps it was his grandfather's influence, but I could finally view our union as a true marriage. From now on, I would be able to live life on my own terms without any interference. In fact, I had already planned to have a discussion with him about our future together, free from the watchful eye of his grandfather and other people around us, including the media.

But first and foremost, I must express my sincerest apologies for my previous behavior. 

I busied myself with preparing dinner while anxiously awaiting his arrival. He usually came home by 9 pm, but it was now past 10 pm and he still had not returned.

“Won’t he come home today?” I asked myself. 

10:30 pm

11:00 pm

12:00 am

12:31 am

My shoulders drooped as I came to the realization that he wouldn't be returning home tonight. Plus the fact that my eyelids grew heavy, begging for rest.

‘I guess I'll just tell him directly once he comes home.’

As I stood up, my hands instinctively went to smooth out the wrinkles on the tablecloth. But suddenly, I froze as the sound of his car pulling into the driveway reached my ears. 

My nerves raced with anticipation and I couldn't resist running to the door to greet him. Standing in front of it, I could feel my palms sweating and my heart pounding against my chest with nervousness.

As the door creaked open, I summoned a sweet and sincere smile and flashed it at him. But my smile quickly faded when I saw him carrying a woman in his arms, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he nibbled on her neck with fervor. The sight made my heart sink and my stomach turn.

The woman's back was turned to me, oblivious to my presence. But as soon as Storm saw me, he froze and his icy gaze locked onto mine. Then, his eyes flickered to the dining table beside them before returning to lock onto me. Without a word, he resumed his passionate kiss with the woman, dismissing me entirely.

The sight made my stomach turn and I could taste the bitterness of betrayal in my mouth.

"Ugh! Stop it, you're being too rough!" the woman giggled. "Relax, you'll get your chance to taste me later and devour me all night long."

“Yeah?” Storm replied huskily as his eyes pierced mine, looking so deeply at me. “I can’t wait to stick my dick inside you.”

My breath caught in my throat, as if his words were directed specifically at me. But I quickly pushed those thoughts away and avoided his intense stare. Silently, I made my way out of the scene and took refuge in the kitchen, hoping to avoid being noticed by the woman.

My hand instinctively flew to my chest, unable to calm the rapid beating of my heart. The memories of his piercing gray eyes flooded my mind, overwhelming me with their intensity. It was as if he was trying to seduce me, to consume me whole.

I couldn't bring myself to interrupt him, after all, I was the one who declared I didn't care if he met someone else. Nonetheless, why was I suddenly feeling so low? It was irrational, but the emotions were impossible to ignore.

'You can't be in love with someone after just sleeping with them for the first time, Scarlett!' I tried to convince myself, repeating the words over and over again.

But my heart was stubbornly refusing to listen. 'But he was the one who took my... virginity. So it's normal to feel disappointed, right?!'

Despite my better judgment, I couldn't deny the intense feelings stirring within me.

Lost in my thoughts, my phone abruptly rang. In a frenzy, I fished it out of my pocket, and my heart went from beating nervously to pounding with fear as I saw the caller's name.

Doctor Hernandez is calling...

As soon as I tapped the green button, a calm yet worried voice spoke without giving me a chance to speak. "Miss Scott, I apologize for contacting you at such a late hour, but it's imperative that you come to the hospital immediately. It's difficult to explain over the phone, but your mother..."

An intense fear seized my heart, and without waiting for him to speak further, I bolted towards the door. The driver was nowhere in sight, so I quickly left the villa and flagged down a passing taxi, despite it being the dead of night. My mind couldn't even fathom the potential dangers that awaited me outside.

Fortunately, there was a cab that stopped in front of me.

"Go to the Sun City Hospital, please!"

My heart raced as I clutched my phone, unable to shake the harrowing thoughts of what could happen to my mother...

My mother suffered from a severe heart condition. There was a hole in her heart that weakened it with each passing day. The only hope for extending her life was a heart transplant. We searched tirelessly for a donor match, but unfortunately, none could be found. We were left with no choice but to rely on her medication to keep her alive.

Hastily, I made my way to the hospital and rushed to my mother's room. I was greeted by the all too familiar scene of doctors frantically trying to revive her. This was a monthly occurrence and it tore at my heart each time, but there was nothing I could do. Despite my deep desire to ease her pain, some things were beyond my control...

I observed intently as she regained her breath, and a sense of relief washed over me. Two doctors and four nurses worked diligently to save her life, ensuring that she received thorough care and examination. This was reflected in the hefty medical bills that came afterwards - it was no laughing matter.

"Doctor..." I called Doctor Hernandez.

As soon as the doctor noticed me, he approached and pulled me out of the room, his expression grave. He didn't want my mother to hear what he had to say. "Miss Scott, I won't sugarcoat it. You're aware of your mother's condition and I'm afraid that if this happens again, we won't be able to save her anymore."

Trembling, I nodded my head frantically at the doctor's word.

"I promise to find a donor as soon as possible," I managed to choke out between sobs. 

As I looked down at my bare feet, I realized in daze that I had forgotten to put on my slippers before rushing here. Then, tears continued to stream down my face, falling onto my grimy toes.

The doctor let out a heavy sigh. "As I've mentioned countless times before, even if she were to undergo a transplant, her weakened body wouldn't be able to handle the operation. And quite frankly, you should be more concerned about your own well-being."

I nervously nibbled on my bottom lip and stared blankly at my dirt-stained feet, desperately avoiding the truth that was about to be spoken. But as much as I wanted to run away from it, I knew deep down that it was the harsh reality I couldn't escape.

"Miss Scott," he called with sincerity and added, "you know you have the same condition as your mother. I'm afraid that if you don't take it seriously, you will face the same fate as her. You are still young and have your whole life ahead of you. Consider your future and whether or not you will have children of your own depends on this hereditary illness."