Chapter 4

Was it Lavinia who saved Thaddeus from the fire back then?

Scarlett had always believed that fire was just an accident—that Thaddeus, like herself, was merely a victim.

She never knew there had been a heroic rescue in that incident.

And that the selfless hero was actually Lavinia?

Scarlett's gaze shifted blankly toward Thaddeus.

He held Lavinia with his back to her, offering no denial.

In that moment, everything that hadn't made sense over the past three years suddenly clicked into place.

So that was it.

In his eyes and those of the entire Getty family, Lavinia was a lifesaver, a hero.

And what about Scarlett?

What was she—the woman who "took advantage" after the fire and stole the "Mrs. Getty" title that rightfully belonged to the hero?

A despicable thief who had stolen someone else's life?

Her heart felt hollowed out, aching so badly that Scarlett could barely breathe.

The chaos in the dining room continued, with everyone surrounding Lavinia. No one noticed Scarlett in the corner, her face paper-white, barely able to stand.

She felt isolated from the entire world.

All sounds gradually faded away, leaving only the increasingly clear sound of her own heart breaking.

"Thaddeus, I'm fine," Lavinia's voice came out tearfully. "Scarlett probably didn't mean to. Don't blame her."

The more she spoke like this, the hotter Thaddeus's anger burned.

He turned to look at Scarlett, his unfathomable eyes filled with undisguised fury.

"Scarlett."

He began, "Just how cruel can your heart be?"

Cruel?

Scarlett's body swayed violently, almost unable to remain standing.

She stared at this man who, without distinguishing right from wrong, had already labeled her as malicious.

A tremendous feeling of injustice and resentment made her unable to hold back her defense.

"I didn't!" She trembled. "I didn't trip her! She ran into me while carrying the soup!"

That was the truth.

But Thaddeus didn't believe it.

To him, Scarlett was just a malicious woman making the weakest of excuses.

Thaddeus's lips curled into a coldly mocking smile.

"She ran into you?" He acted as if he'd heard a joke. "Scarlett, I used to think you were just fake, but I never realized you were this despicable."

"Doing something terrible and not even having the courage to admit it!"

His voice suddenly rose.

"Three years ago, you forced me to marry you, and now you're using these underhanded tactics against Lavinia? After doing something terrible, you don't even dare to admit it! How long will you keep making excuses?"

"Enough!"

Owen struck the floor heavily with his cane, his authoritative voice instantly drowning out all the commotion.

"Thaddeus! Is this how you speak to your wife?" Owen's chest heaved with anger. "I know Scarlett better than you do! She would never do something like this!"

"Grandfather!" Thaddeus's voice carried a hint of impatience. "You've been fooled by her innocent act!"

He carefully cradled Lavinia's scalded arm. "Lavinia is the one who's hurt! If she didn't do it, who did?"

"Look what you've done!" Amara rushed forward, pointing at Scarlett's nose and screaming, "You vicious woman! Not only are you trying to harm Lavinia, but you want to anger your grandfather to death? The Getty family is truly cursed to have you!"

"Silence!" Owen shouted again, but his anger triggered a violent coughing fit.

"Dad!" Amara immediately went to rub his back, but continued twisting the facts. "Calm down, don't get upset over someone so unworthy. Thaddeus, quick, take Lavinia to the hospital, don't waste any more time!"

Thaddeus gave Scarlett a penetrating look.

Scarlett opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

All explanations seemed laughable and indefensible in the face of his prejudiced contempt.

Of course—one was a lifesaving benefactor, the other a "criminal" who forced him into marriage.

Who would he believe? The answer was obvious.

Seeing Scarlett speechless, the disgust in Thaddeus's eyes deepened.

He didn't want to waste another word on this woman.

He bent down and picked up Lavinia.

"Thaddeus," Lavinia nestled her head against his chest.

"Don't worry, I'm taking you to the hospital."

With that, he walked toward the door without looking back.

As he was about to step out of the dining room, Thaddeus paused briefly, but didn't turn around.

"This is what you owe Lavinia."

"Scarlett, stay away from her from now on."

Scarlett felt her world completely collapse in that moment.

"You harbinger of bad luck!"

Amara's curses rained down on her.

"If it weren't for my father's sake, I'd have you thrown out today! Go back to your room! Don't come out without my permission!"

Scarlett's vision blurred, her ears buzzing as she allowed those venomous words to engulf her.

She dragged her feet, which felt like they weighed a thousand pounds, toward the living room.

Blood from the wound on her ankle left a trail of inconspicuous spots on the carpet.

No one cared.

No one even noticed.

She stood numbly in the center of the vast living room. The crystal chandelier's light hurt her eyes, but her world had become pitch black.

When your heart broke completely, you couldn't even feel the pain.

Only bone-deep coldness.

Suddenly, a small warm hand slipped into her ice-cold palm.

Scarlett stiffly looked down.

A five or six-year-old boy was looking up at her with an exquisite, pretty little face, his grape-like, clear, and innocent eyes gazing at her with concern.

It was her son in name, Quincy Getty.

He must have been awakened by the arguing downstairs. Still wearing cute cartoon pajamas, his hair slightly messy from sleep, his little face full of worry.

"Mommy."

Quincy's voice carried a soft nasal tone.

Seeing the tear tracks on Scarlett's face, he raised his other small hand, clumsily trying to wipe them away.

"Mommy, don't cry."

Those simple words instantly opened the floodgates of Scarlett's emotions.

The resentment she had been suppressing deep in her heart could no longer be contained.

Scarlett crouched down and tightly embraced the small, warm body before her.

"Quincy."

Scarlett's voice was completely broken.

All these years, she had lived in this house like a shadow.

She never expected that when the whole world abandoned her, the only one who would come to comfort her would be this child, who, like her, was never truly accepted by the Getty family.