Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143 A Mother’s Rejection

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There had even been several instances where she and Nolan had crossed paths unexpectedly at those late-night events.

Vanessa’s swollen lymph nodes-even if not entirely Sabrina’s fault-certainly weren’t unrelated to her influence and the lifestyle she encouraged.

Yet Vincent never once acknowledged Sabrina’s role in the situation, always deflecting or changing the subject when her name came up.

If that wasn’t taking sides, then what was? The favoritism was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Vincent still deliberately avoided mentioning Sabrina directly. Instead, he countered sharply, “If you’re truly concerned about Vanessa’s wellbeing, shouldn’t her biological mother be the one staying home to care for her? That seems like the most logical solution.”

Scarlett was furious at his implication. She met Vincent’s gaze directly and stated with unwavering firmness, “Vincent, no matter what you say or how you try to manipulate me, I’m not quitting my job.”

Her career was the last thing she had to hold onto, and now Vincent wanted to strip even that away from her, leaving her with nothing.

Vincent retorted with equal intensity, “Scarlett, Vanessa isn’t just my daughter-she’s yours too. Don’t you think you should take some responsibility for her care instead of always pointing fingers?”

“I’ve been her primary caregiver for four solid years, Vincent. I’m done. I simply can’t do it anymore, not like this,” she shot back, the exhaustion of those years evident in her voice.

“So you believe you still deserve to be called her mother when you’re refusing to care for her?” he challenged, his words deliberately cutting.

“You said it yourself—I’m not as good as Sabrina in Vanessa’s eyes. So why don’t you just let Vanessa call her ‘Mom’ instead?” The bitter words escaped before she could stop them.

“Scarlett, don’t push this conversation where it doesn’t need to go,” Vincent warned, his voice dropping dangerously.

“Vincent, you’ve said everything you wanted to say over the years. Are you determined to leave me with nothing? We’ve been married five years, and not once has this house ever felt like a real home to me. I-”

Their heated argument was abruptly interrupted when Lily appeared at the top of the stairs,

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her voice urgent and filled with alarm. “Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, something’s wrong! Ms. Stewart is complaining of stomach pain again! She’s crying quite badly!”

The moment Lily finished speaking, both Scarlett and Vincent immediately abandoned their argument and bolted upstairs simultaneously.

They rushed into the bedroom, their faces etched with identical concern as they hurried to the bedside where their daughter lay suffering.

Vanessa was curled into a tight ball on the bed, her small frame trembling with visible pain, looking utterly pitiful and vulnerable.

Scarlett’s heart clenched painfully at the sight. She reached out instinctively and gathered Vanessa into her arms. “Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I’m here,” she murmured soothingly.

She gently stroked Vanessa’s hair as she spoke, trying to provide some comfort through the touch.

But the pain was too intense for Vanessa to bear. She continued sobbing uncontrollably.

Scarlett extended her hand tenderly toward Vanessa’s abdomen. “Vanessa, let me rub your tummy, okay? It will help you feel better, I promise,” she offered softly.

Just as her hand made contact with Vanessa’s abdomen, Vanessa suddenly shoved her away with surprising force. “No! I want Sabrina! Daddy, I want Sabrina!” she cried out, rejecting Scarlett’s comfort completely.

Scarlett froze in place, completely stunned by the rejection. Her mind went blank, all thoughts momentarily wiped away by the shock of Vanessa’s words.

Already weakened by fever and dizziness from her own illness, Vanessa’s forceful push sent her stumbling sideways, forcing her to grab the bedside table for support.

Vanessa kept crying desperately, her pleas now directed solely at her father. “Daddy… Daddy…”

Vincent immediately stepped forward and scooped her into his arms, holding her close against his chest and comforting her softly. “I’m, sweetheart. Be a good girl now, I’ve got you.”

Vanessa clung tightly to Vincent’s shirt, her tear-streaked face pressed against his chest as she sought comfort in his embrace. She sobbed brokenly, “Daddy, where’s Sabrina? I want Sabrina.”

Vincent pressed his face against Vanessa’s, his heart aching. He said softly, “I will take you to see her this weekend, okay?”

Vanessa cried, “I want to hear her play the piano for me. I want her to tell me those special stories she knows. Daddy, I need Sabrina here with me right now.”

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Vincent’s heart ached at Vanessa’s desperate pleas. Whatever she asked for in this state of suffering, he could only agree to provide comfort. “Alright, darling, Daddy will call Sabrina and have her come stay with you, okay? I’ll make sure she comes right away.”

Vanessa’s crying ceased almost instantly at his promise. “Okay,” she whispered, finally calming

down.

Scarlett sat at the edge of the bed, listening to the heartbreaking exchange between Vanessa and Vincent. Silent tears streamed down her face unchecked, each word feeling like a physical blow.

She bit her lip hard, drawing blood, refusing to let any sound escape and betray the depth of her pain.

Lily stood beside her, quietly patting her shoulder in a gesture of comfort, her own expression filled with sympathy.

Scarlett didn’t register anything else said between Vincent and Vanessa after that moment. She felt like a complete fool just sitting there, an unwanted spectator in her own family’s drama.

Forcing herself to stand on trembling legs, she slowly walked out of the bedroom without another word.

Downstairs, she noticed through the window that the rain outside was falling even more heavily than before.

Staring at the pouring rain, Scarlett felt the weight in her heart grow heavier.

After some time had passed, Vincent came downstairs, his footsteps measured on the staircase.

Seeing Scarlett still standing by the door like a statue, Vincent approached her cautiously. “I’ve called the school and informed them Vanessa won’t be attending today due to her illness.”

With her back still turned to him, Scarlett replied flatly, “Okay.”

Then she added in the same emotionless tone, “I’m going to work now.”

But simultaneously, Vincent said, “You should stay home today and take care of Vanessa since she’s not feeling well.”

Scarlett refused immediately, her voice gaining strength. “I can’t take time off on such short notice. If you’re unwilling to care for her yourself, then find someone else to do it,” she stated bluntly.

Her meaning was unmistakable-she wanted Sabrina to be the one to care for Vanessa since that was who their daughter clearly preferred.

Vincent grew angry at her outright refusal. “Scarlett, when did you become like this? So cold

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and detached?” he demanded, genuine confusion in his voice.

In the past, she would always personally care for Vanessa whenever she fell ill.

So why couldn’t she do it now? What had changed so fundamentally?

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Scarlett listened to Vincent’s accusations without showing any visible emotion, her face a carefully constructed mask. “Vincent, I haven’t changed, not really. I’ve simply finally seen things clearly for what they are rather than what I wished they were.”

With those final words, she opened her umbrella with a sharp snap and stepped out into the pouring rain.

Vincent watched her determined departure with growing frustration, when suddenly his phone rang, breaking the tense silence.

He glanced down at the screen with irritation-it was a call from Abbott.

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Awakened Housewife. Ignore Betrayer’s Begs

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