Chapter 4
Chris's fist clenched, his knuckles turning white. He knew the Seymour family disliked Scarlett, but he never imagined they would go this far.
"Forget them," he said, taking a deep breath to keep his voice steady. "If things get worse, you can move in with me."
Scarlett turned to him with a smile that finally held some warmth. "Thank you, Chris, but I can't leave yet."
She still had unfinished business, questions that needed answers before she could leave the Seymour Villa.
Chris sighed heavily, feeling helpless. "The social circles are buzzing about Sebastian and Edith's engagement next month. George Howard has already started preparations. Don't fight them head-on."
Scarlett gazed at the dappled shadows outside the window. "Engagement? That's good."
"Good?" Chris raised an eyebrow. "I can see right through you. Sebastian isn't worth it. He's still entangled with you while planning to marry your stepsister. He's no good—why are you so fixated on him?"
"I know," Scarlett smiled resignedly. "I've been trying to end it. Their engagement has nothing to do with me."
Chris clearly didn't buy it. Over the years, Scarlett had claimed many times she would break things off with Sebastian, but five years later, she still hadn't managed to.
"Fine, but you should dump him sooner rather than later." Chris stopped pushing and rummaged through the glove compartment, pulling out a box of mint candies. "Have something sweet to cool your anger."
Scarlett popped a candy into her mouth, the cool mint flavor spreading and slightly calming her irritation. The car stopped near the Seymour estate. She opened the door. "I'm going."
"Call me if you need anything," Chris called after her.
Scarlett didn't look back, just waved as she disappeared into the shadows of the back alley.
When she returned to the Seymour Villa, the living room lights were still on. Brianna sat on the sofa cracking sunflower seeds.
Seeing Scarlett enter, she threw down the shells with a sneer. "So you decided to come back? I thought you'd eloped with Mr. Wright."
Scarlett ignored her and headed straight for the stairs.
"Stop right there!" Brianna barked. "From today on, you're not to leave this house without my permission! I barely managed to smooth things over with Mr. Campbell. If you cause any more trouble, you'll regret it!"
Scarlett paused, turning to give her a cold glance. "Is this house arrest? The Seymour family really does treat me like a prisoner."
"What else would you expect?" Brianna stood up, hands on her hips. "Better than letting you embarrass us in public! Stay put and don't cause any more trouble!"
Scarlett didn't bother arguing. She turned and went up to her attic room. She flopped onto the bed, staring at the peeling paint on the ceiling, her thoughts in disarray.
End it? She truly wanted to. Five years ago, she had seduced Sebastian simply to secure her position in the Seymour family, to show those who bullied her that she wasn't someone to be pushed around.
Moreover, she had thought that someday she might win Sebastian's heart.
But five years later, he still wouldn't even give her a proper place in his life. He was so clear-headed, so coldly rational it was frightening—five whole years together, and not a shred of extra affection.
She and Edith were officially half-sisters, sharing the same father but different mothers. The sister became the wife, while the stepsister became the mistress? What a ridiculous joke.
As she brooded, the attic door was flung open.
"Still alive?" Edith glanced at Scarlett on the bed, deliberately jingling the velvet jewelry box in her hand. "Look what I've got."
She tossed the box onto the desk. The lid popped open, revealing a sapphire necklace that glittered painfully bright in the dim light.
"From Seb," Edith folded her arms, chin raised high like a triumphant peacock. "Seb said this sapphire complements my skin tone. Look, doesn't it look good on me?"
Scarlett stared at the necklace, imagining Sebastian taking Edith shopping, the two of them intimate and affectionate.
While she was being mistreated, Sebastian was courting Edith like a devoted lover. The realization stung her heart, the irony almost too much to bear.
"I wouldn't know," she said, sitting up with a slight curl of her lips. "Though I suspect Sebastian might prefer someone more like me."
She leaned forward deliberately, her collar opening slightly to reveal a glimpse of smooth skin. Her tone carried a hint of challenge. "After all, sometimes men prefer roses with thorns over gilded vases. Don't you think, Edith?"
Edith's face froze, nearly dropping the jewelry box. What she hated most was how Scarlett, despite her lowly status, could attract everyone's attention with her face and figure—including Sebastian's.
"What nonsense!" Edith's voice darkened, her eyes filled with jealousy and anger. "Seb prefers proper, dignified girls, not someone like you..."
She trailed off, realizing even she didn't believe her own words. She dug her nails into her palm, forcing a proud, composed demeanor. "I know you're jealous of me, but it doesn't matter. Seb and I are getting married soon. Let's see how you keep dreaming then!"
She closed the jewelry box and turned to leave, her steps hurried, clearly rattled by Scarlett's words.
"Goodbye." Scarlett leaned against the headboard, watching Edith's retreating figure, her smile deepening.
At the doorway, Edith paused but didn't turn around. "Scarlett, know your place. Some things aren't yours to take, no matter how hard you try."
The door closed softly, shutting out the light from outside. The attic returned to darkness, and Scarlett's smile faded, leaving only coldness behind.
Take? When had she ever taken anything? She had been desperately trying to back away.
At eleven that night, her phone screen lit up with a message from Sebastian: [Meet at the usual place tomorrow night.]
The usual place was Sebastian's private penthouse in the city center, with panoramic views of the entire city's nightscape.
She suppressed her frustration, took a deep breath, and replied: [We're over.]
Within seconds, her phone vibrated again with Sebastian's response—brief, but carrying an undeniable authority: [I already told you, it's not your decision to make.]
Scarlett stared at those words and suddenly laughed. Not her decision? Sebastian was always like this—domineering, always trampling over her wishes. Who did he think he was? Did he really believe she couldn't live without him?
Yet Sebastian's power was overwhelming. In their unequal relationship, she had no right to say no.
She took a deep breath, closed the message, and tossed her phone aside without replying. She lay back down on her bed.
If he insisted on this entanglement, she would play along. And while she was at it, she wouldn't let Edith have it too easy either.