Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136 Rainy Departures

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Scarlett froze for a moment, her mind flashing back to the last time Vanessa had visited Theron

Manor.

She remembered that evening vividly. Diana had gone to the trouble of preparing dinner herself, but before Vanessa had even taken a single bite, she had started picking the food apart, her criticisms sharp and unwarranted.

Even now, after all this time, the memory sent a fresh, sharp pang of hurt through Scarlett’s heart. She had no desire to revisit that topic or answer Vanessa’s question. “Go to bed early, sweetheart,” she deflected, her voice soft but firm. “I’m tired.”

Vanessa, perhaps sensing Scarlett’s reluctance, didn’t push. She sat up, extricating herself from Scarlett’s embrace. “Goodnight, Mom,” she said simply.

“Goodnight.”

Once Vanessa was back in bed, she drifted off to sleep relatively quickly.

Scarlett, however, spent the night tossing and turning on the couch, sleep evading her. Each time she closed her eyes, the memories of that night replayed in her mind, and she couldn’t stop a few silent, bitter tears from escaping, tracing a cold path down her temples and into her hair.

She barely slept a wink. The restless night was further disturbed when a heavy, relentless rain began to pour down around midnight, the drumming sound on the roof and windows only amplifying her inner turmoil.

By seven in the morning, Scarlett gave up on any pretense of sleep and got up.

She threw on a coat and headed downstairs, surprised to find Vincent already there, seated in the living room.

The sight of him gave her a momentary start, but she quickly schooled her features into a mask of composure.

Vincent had been completely absorbed in a financial magazine, but the sound of her footsteps on the staircase drew his gaze upward. Recognizing her, he offered a rare, curt greeting. “Morning.”

“Morning,” Scarlett replied, her tone even and devoid of warmth.

She then moved towards the kitchen, intending to start breakfast, but Vincent’s voice stopped her. “No need to cook today. We’ll eat out.”

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Scarlett was somewhat taken aback by the suggestion. After a brief moment’s consideration, she nodded. “Alright.”

Once she had agreed, Vincent immediately returned his attention to the magazine, effectively ending the conversation.

Unbeknownst to Scarlett, the suggestion to eat out had actually come from Vanessa the previous night, just before she’d retreated to her room.

The girl had grown tired of constant home-cooked meals and was craving something from a

restaurant.

With no breakfast to prepare, Scarlett found herself at a loose end. The rain outside continued to fall in heavy, relentless sheets, showing no sign of letting up. The autumn rain, whipped by a gusty wind, carried a distinct, penetrating chill.

Yet, there was a silver lining. After such a thorough downpour, the air always felt cleaner, fresher, as if washed anew.

Scarlett tightened her coat around herself and carried a chair over to sit by the front door, watching the rain cascade down. The sky outside was a uniform, gloomy gray, and the steady drumming of raindrops against the windowpanes created a strangely rhythmic and soothing soundtrack.

As she watched the endless sheets of water, she felt the heavy weight on her mood gradually begin to lighten ever so slightly.

Just then, her phone’s ringtone sliced through the tranquil sound of the rain, jarring in the quiet room.

She pulled the device from her pocket and saw Violet’s name flashing on the screen.

But when she answered, it was Clara’s sweet, young voice that came through the speaker. “Auntie, are you coming back to Theron Manor tonight?”

Scarlett thought for a moment before responding, “Yes, but it will be quite late.”

“Yay!” Clara cheered, her excitement palpable even over the phone. Then she added, “Auntie, I learned how to make pancakes online! I got up super early today and made some for Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and Dad. They all said they were delicious! I saved one for you, too! Auntie, can you please pick me up after school tonight? Then we can go back to Theron Manor together, okay?”

Hearing Clara’s earnest, soft voice pleading with her, Scarlett’s heart melted instantly. Clara was being so thoughtful and enthusiastic-how could she possibly refuse?

So she agreed warmly, her voice softening. “Okay.”

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Clara grew even more excited. “Yay! Auntie’s picking me up after school! Yay!”

Scarlett couldn’t help but smile fondly. She said gently, “Alright, sweetheart. I need to hang up now, okay?”

“Auntie, I love you the most!” Clara declared before the call ended.

“I love you the most, too,” Scarlett replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

After ending the call, Scarlett stared at her phone for a long while, lost in thought. She couldn’t help but reflect that if Vanessa were still her sweet, affectionate self, she would probably be the one declaring her love so freely, just like Clara.

But now, her own daughter clearly didn’t hold the same depth of affection for her as her young niece did.

The rain outside continued its relentless downpour. Scarlett pulled her coat tighter and turned around, only to meet Vincent’s intense gaze from across the room.

She had no idea how long he had been watching her, but the displeasure in his eyes was unmistakable.

Even so, Scarlett didn’t back down or look away. She met his gaze directly and said, “Can you pick up Vanessa from school tonight? I need to go back to Theron Manor for something.”

She didn’t bother explaining the specifics; she saw no need to justify herself to him.

But an explanation was unnecessary-Vincent had overheard her entire conversation with Clara.

His eyes narrowed as he looked at Scarlett, something unreadable and dangerous flashing within them. When he spoke, his voice was deceptively flat, yet it carried a distinct undercurrent of disdain. “You’re going back just for your niece?”

Scarlett didn’t deny it. She admitted openly, her chin lifting a fraction. “Yes. She made something for me to eat.”

The look in Vincent’s eyes instantly darkened, the storm in them mirroring the one outside. He said in a low, firm voice that brooked no argument, “I have an important meeting tonight. I can’t pick up Vanessa.”

He rejected her request without a moment’s hesitation, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.

Scarlett, however, didn’t seem particularly bothered by his refusal. She simply offered an alternative, her tone pragmatic. “Then let Lily pick her up.”

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Vincent snapped his magazine shut with a sharp crack and stood up abruptly, his tall frame towering over her as he stared down, his presence intimidating. He held her gaze for a long, tense moment, making his profound displeasure crystal clear.

Scarlett didn’t back down an inch. She stared right back at him, her gaze steady, unyielding, and utterly resolute.

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Awakened Housewife: Ignore Betrayer’s Begs