2

Scarlett’s eyelids fluttered open to the soft beep of machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic. The bright hospital lights made her wince. A dull ache pulsed at her temples.

An unfamiliar voice broke through the haze. “Mrs. Carter?”

She turned her head slightly, eyes landing on a doctor in a white coat. His expression was calm, measured.

“You had a fainting episode,” he continued.

“Thankfully, Ms Elena was there just at the right time to help you. You’re dehydrated, and your blood pressure was low, but there’s something else more important we need to discuss.”

Scarlett swallowed, her throat dry. “What?” What could possibly be more important than the fact that her world had been shattered cruelly that night.

The doctor glanced at his clipboard, and stated matter of factly.“You’re pregnant.”

The words hit her like a shockwave.

Scarlett sat up too quickly, dizziness rushing in. “No,” she whispered. “That… that can’t be right.”

He nodded. “You’re about six weeks along.”

Six weeks.

Her hands trembled against the bedsheets. Six weeks ago, Daniel was still coming home to her. Still kissing her goodbye in the mornings. Still hers.

Daniel.

Her heart pounded. Maybe this changes everything. Maybe when he finds out, he’ll realize what he’s throwing away. Maybe…

The door burst open, and Elena rushed inside, looking all worried. “Oh, thank God, you’re awake,” she gasped, holding Scarlett’s hand tightly. “Are you alright?”

Scarlett barely registered her concern. “Elena,” she whispered, her voice unsteady. “I’m pregnant.”

Elena’s lips parted, eyes flickering with shock. Then, just as quickly clouded over.

Scarlett clutched her wrist. “This changes things, right? He, he wouldn’t leave now. Not when I’m carrying his child and possibly his heir. He won’t leave me for her.” She spoke wildly, like a mad woman.

Elena’s face softened, but she didn’t speak.

Scarlett’s throat tightened. “He has to know. I have to tell him.”

Elena hesitated. “Scarlett… are you sure he’ll care? He is so absorbed with Valeria at this point, I doubt he’ll care about you.”

Scarlett’s breath caught, but she shook her head. “He has to.”

She truly knew that Elena was right. Elena had been a mother figure to her since she got married, and her discernment was always on point. She just wished this one time that this old woman was wrong.

Scarlett gripped her phone with both hands, pressing it tightly to her ear. She knew who to call. The steady beeping of the heart monitor in the hospital room felt deafening in the silence. Amelia would know what to say. Amelia had always known what to say.

The call connected.

“Scarlett?” Amelia’s voice was smooth and casual, like nothing had happened. Like Scarlett’s world hadn’t imploded.

A lump formed in Scarlett’s throat. “I need you. Daniel just served me divorce papers, he’s back with Valeria and now I am pregnant.”

There was a slight pause, like Amelia was considering the right thing to say to her best friend. “What do you need me for?” Amelia answered coldly instead, in a tone that was unlike hers.

Scarlett blinked, her grip tightening against the phone on her ears. “What?”

Amelia sighed, the sound was light, almost dismissive. “I mean, what do you want, Scarlett? Comfort? Sympathy? Validation?”

Scarlett’s stomach twisted. “You’re my best friend.”

There was another longer pause this time. “Was.”

The word sliced through Scarlett like ice.

Scarlett’s voice wavered. “Amelia… what are you saying?”

She could hear it in Amelia’s voice when she finally spoke again. She was calm, indifferent, and unapologetic.“I knew.”

Scarlett’s pulse roared in her ears. “For how long?”

A lazy chuckle. “Long enough to know how much of a fool you are.”

Scarlett’s free hand curled into a fist. “You let me talk to you about him. About us. About everything.” Her voice broke. “And you never said a word?”

“Scarlett,” Amelia drawled, almost bored. “Would you have listened?”

Scarlett’s throat tightened, she wanted to cry. “Why are you doing this?”

Amelia sighed. “Because, sweetheart, you were always so certain he was yours. It was exhausting.”

Scarlett felt her heart shatter all over again. “You’re a monster.”

Amelia laughed. Her laugh was light, airy and carefree. Like she had absolutely no problems in the world.

“Oh, darling,” Amelia purred. “I’m just honest.”

Then she cut the call. Scarlett was certain she was going to run mad at that moment, yanking the IV out of her arm, she looked at the bedside table and noticed her car keys, probably thanks to Elena’s thoughtfulness. She ran as fast as she could out of the hospital building.

Scarlett barely remembered the drive. One moment, she was staring at her phone in stunned silence, Amelia’s words still ringing in her ears. The next, she was standing in front of Amelia’s downtown loft, pounding on the door so hard her palm ached.

The door swung open.

Amelia leaned against the frame, a silk robe was lazily tied around her waist,her hair in effortless waves. She didn’t look surprised. If anything, she looked amused.

Scarlett shoved past her, storming into the apartment. “You knew.” Her voice trembled, fury barely contained.

Amelia shut the door with a slow, measured click. “We’ve been over this.”

Scarlett spun around. “What other crazy thing do you have to say? That you not only knew but was a part of it? Huh! Tell me!”

Amelia arched her brow. “And?”

Scarlett’s breath hitched. “And? That’s all you have to say?”

Amelia sighed, crossing her arms. “What do you want, Scarlett? A confession? An apology? Fine. Yes, I knew. Yes, I let it happen. And yes,” she smirked “I benefited from it.”

Scarlett’s stomach twisted. “What does that mean?”

Amelia chuckled, tilting her head. “Oh, sweetheart, you really are slow, aren’t you?” She took a step closer, voice dropping into something almost gleeful. “Daniel made me a deal. If the divorce goes through, I get half of your company shares.”

Scarlett’s chest tightened. “You’re lying.”

Amelia smirked. “Why would I? You always had everything handed to you, Scarlett. The perfect husband, the perfect house, the perfect life. Meanwhile, I worked my ass off just to stand in your shadow.” She scoffed. “Well, not anymore.”

Scarlett’s fingers curled into fists. “You were my best friend.”

“Best friend?” Amelia let out a laugh. “Scarlett, you were a stepping stone.”

Scarlett’s vision blurred with rage. Before she could stop herself, her hand swung. The crack of the slap echoed through the apartment.

Amelia’s head snapped to the side, her cheek was flaming red from the slap. For a moment, she was stunned. Then, slowly, she turned back, a wicked grin spreading across her lips.

“Feel better?” she taunted.

Scarlett’s hand shook at her side. No. She didn’t. Nothing could erase this. Nothing could make up for the fact that she had lost everything.

Her husband.

Her best friend.

And worst of all, the horrifying truth about the divorce.