Chapter 358

The night air whipped past me as I sped down the familiar roads, the soft glow of streetlights illuminating the darkness that surrounded me. I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I navigated the familiar streets, Mia's box of belongings riding shotgun beside me. The memories it held threatened to overwhelm me, but I pushed them aside.

With each passing mile, my mind raced with thoughts of what awaited me at Scarlett's home. The mere mention of Mia's wedding dress had ignited a spark of determination within me, a stubborn resolve to set things right, no matter the cost.

As I pulled up to Scarlett's house, my heart pounded in my chest, a symphony of anticipation and apprehension echoing in the recesses of my mind. But as I stepped out of the car, my gaze fell upon a scene that caught me off guard.

Boxes lined the curb, their contents spilling out onto the pavement in a chaotic jumble. Furniture was being hauled into a moving truck, the sound of voices mingling with the scrape of metal against concrete.

As I stepped out of the car, my gaze fell on Scarlett emerging from the front door, a box cradled in her arms. My heart skipped a beat, surprise mingling with curiosity as I watched her stride purposefully toward the movers stationed by the truck.

Scarlett handed the box to one of the movers, exchanging a few words with him before turning and freezing in her tracks as she caught sight of me. For a moment, we stood there, frozen in time, before Scarlett's lips curled into a small smile.

"Evie?" she called out, her voice carrying across the yard. "Is that you?"

I blinked, my mind struggling to process the sight before me. She was finally moving out of her place. I hadn’t realized it had taken her so long.

"Hey, Scarlett," I replied, my voice tinged with disbelief. "Is this a bad time?"

“Oh, no. ” Scarlett said, then motioned for the movers to continue without her before dusting off her clothes and making her way toward me.

"I came to return some things my mom left behind," I explained, my eyes searching hers for any sign of apprehension. "Well, technically it was Stella’s."

She swallowed hard as my words hung between us. "I see," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Come inside, we can talk."

I followed Scarlett into the house, the once-familiar surroundings now stripped bare of the memories that once filled its walls. The emptiness echoed with each step we took, though a few pieces of furniture remained, along with some scattered belongings.

"I wish I could offer you something to drink," Scarlett said, her voice tinged with regret as she gestured towards the kitchen. "But we had to toss out most of our food before the move."

I glanced around the kitchen, noticing the empty cabinets and bare shelves. Despite the pang of hunger gnawing at my stomach, I couldn't bring myself to voice my discomfort. Scarlett had enough on her plate without worrying about that.

"It's fine, really," I said, forcing a smile as I waved off her concerns. "I won't be long anyway."

Scarlett nodded, her eyes shifting slightly to the box in my hands. "So, what exactly did Mia have of Stella’s?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.

As I began to sort through Mia's belongings, Scarlett hovered nearby. Despite the circumstances, her presence brought a sense of comfort. I offered her a faint smile as I held out the clear bag containing the wedding dress.

"I... I brought this for you," I said, handing it to her.

Scarlett's eyes widened in disbelief as she peered inside, her fingers trembling as she touched the delicate fabric. "Is... is this what I think it is?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion as she looked up at me.

I nodded solemnly, the weight of the moment pressing down upon me like a suffocating weight. "It's Mia's wedding dress. Or rather, Stella's. I thought... well, I thought you might know what to do with it better than I would."

Tears welled in Scarlett's eyes as she reached out to touch the dress, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns with a reverence that bordered on reverence. "Thank you, Evie. Thank you for setting things right, even if Stella wasn't good to you."

As Scarlett embraced me in a tight hug, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. Scarlett's embrace lingered upon me as she walked me back to the doorstep of her home, the dress slung over one of her arms.

"I saw everything on the news," Scarlett said, breaking the silence. "I'm glad that woman finally got what was coming for her. But... but I'm sorry it had to be your own mother."

"I wish the same thing," I said, meeting Scarlett's gaze. "I just wish... I just wish it didn't have to be this way. "

Scarlett's expression softened at my words, a flicker of sympathy dancing in the depths of her eyes. "I know, Evie. I know. But sometimes, things have to fall apart so they can fall back together again."

As I watched her, I couldn't help but wonder why she was moving suddenly. But before I could voice my thoughts, Scarlett spoke again, as if she anticipated the question.

“I know it’s a little late.” Scarlett's expression softened, her gaze drifting towards the window as she considered her response. "After everything that happened with Stella, it didn't feel right to move forward with the move. But I knew that both Olive and I needed a change, so I decided to go through with it."

I nodded as I recalled the fallout between Scarlett and Stella. Their relationship wasn’t the strongest, but that was still her sister. It was a pain I knew all too well.

"I'm sorry things didn't work out with Stella," I said softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Scarlett's shoulder. "But I'm glad you're making this change. It takes courage to move forward, especially after everything you've been through."

Scarlett offered me a grateful smile, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you, Evie," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "I don't know what I would do without you."

A surge of hope flooded through me at her words, the realization dawning upon me. Scarlett and Olive, finally finding a place to call home. A place where they could build a new life together, free from the shadows of the past.

"I wish you luck," I said, my voice tinged with sincerity as I offered her a faint smile. "And if you ever need anything, just let me know. I'll be here for you."

Scarlett enveloped me in another tight hug. "Thank you, Evie. Thank you for everything. And... and I hope everything goes well with Timothy's hearing."

Before I could respond, a voice interrupted us, a small figure emerging from the house with a shy smile upon her face.

"Hi, Evie!" Olive said, her voice filled with genuine warmth as she approached me. "It’s so cool that you captured that bad lady. You’re like a superhero!"

Tears welled in my eyes at her words. "It was the right thing to do," I said, squeezing her in a tight hug. "I just hope you and your mommy can live in peace now."

Scarlett's eyes softened at my words, a tear trickling down her cheek as she hugged Olive close to her side. "Thank you, Evie. Thank you for everything. Please, stay well."

With a final wave, Scarlett disappeared into the depths of her home, Olive's hand clasped tightly in hers. And as I watched them go, a sense of peace settled upon me.