Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161 Midnight Intruder

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Scarlett snapped back to reality with a soft murmur, “Thank you,” followed by a more hesitant, “I’m sorry.”

Seeing the genuine guilt written across her face, Nolan offered a warm, reassuring smile. “Really, it’s no trouble at all. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

His kindness sent a sharp pang of regret through her-not only for the inconvenience she’d caused him, but for her own poor judgment in the past. How could she have been so blind before?

Nolan stayed close, shielding her from the lingering drizzle until they reached her car. Once she was safely inside the driver’s seat, he leaned in slightly and said, “Drive carefully, alright? Let me know when you get home.”

Scarlett lifted her gaze to meet his. Under the warm glow of the streetlights, the misty rain cast a soft haze around them, blurring her vision just enough to match the fog in her thoughts.

“Here,” she said suddenly, “let me take your coat. I’ll have it cleaned and return it to you.”

Nolan shook his head gently. “Don’t worry about it-it’s just a coat.”

But Scarlett felt the weight of the gesture heavily. “You’ve helped me so much already. Please, let me do this for you.”

What she didn’t say—but what hung clearly between them—was that she didn’t want the debt between them to grow any larger.

Nolan caught her meaning instantly, sensing the deliberate distance she was placing between them. His smile faltered for just a second before he recovered gracefully. “Alright then,” he conceded, “if it makes you feel better.”

He slipped off the coat and handed it to her.

Scarlett placed it carefully on the passenger seat before turning back to him. “You should head back soon too-don’t stay out in this weather.”

Nolan nodded. “I will. By the way… are you free for a meal this weekend?”

After a brief pause, Scarlett replied, “I should be, unless something comes up.”

She started the engine and drove off, leaving Nolan standing under the lamppost. He watched her taillights disappear into the night before finally getting into his own car and driving away.

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It was half past nine when Scarlett finally arrived home.

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Clara was still awake, bent over a colorful drawing at the living room table. Hearing the door, she looked up, her face brightening. “Auntie!”

Scarlett set down the bag containing Nolan’s coat and walked over. “Clara, sweetie, why are you still up so late?”

“I was waiting for you,” Clara said cheerfully. “I have something to tell you.”

Scarlett sat beside her, admiring the vibrant spring scene Clara had drawn. “This is beautiful, honey. You’re so talented.”

Clara beamed, wrapping her arms around Scarlett’s. “Auntie, Vanessa didn’t go to school today.”

Scarlett froze for a moment. She thought back to that morning-how she’d gone to Ravenshade Villa to make breakfast for Vanessa, hoping to take her to school personally. It had all been for nothing.

Vanessa must have stayed out late at the bar again, slept in, and simply skipped school.

A bitter smile touched Scarlett’s lips. She gently brushed Clara’s cheek. “Well, you’re a good girl, Clara. Always listen to your mom and never skip school, okay?”

Clara nodded earnestly. “I will! I always listen to Mom-and to you too, Auntie.”

Looking at Clara’s innocent obedience, Scarlett couldn’t help but think of Vanessa again. Her own daughter used to be just as sweet and well-behaved… but that felt like a lifetime ago.

By ten o’clock, Scarlett had tucked Clara into bed and finally retreated to her own room.

As she opened the door, she saw a tall figure standing in the middle of the room. In the dim light, her mind jumped to Nathan. “Nathan?” she called out instinctively.

Thinking he must have come for a reason, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

But when the man turned around, the faint light from the hallway fell across his face-and her blood ran cold. It was Damian.

“Damian?” Her voice came out thin and shaky. “What are you doing here?”

A slow, amused smile spread across his face. He didn’t move toward her. Instead, he lay back casually on her light-blue duvet, propping his head up with one hand as he watched her with a teasing glint in his eyes. “What else, baby? I missed you. So I came to see you.”

Scarlett’s heart hammered in her chest as she struggled to steady her breathing. “How did

you

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Chapter 161 Midnight Intruder

get in?” she demanded, her voice firmer now.

:

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Theron Manor was staffed, and Henry and Diana were both home. There was no way he’d come through the front door.

But Damian seemed in no hurry to answer. He lowered his head and inhaled deeply against her pillow, taking in the scent of her sheets with deliberate slowness.

When he looked up again, his expression was one of pure hunger. “You smell incredible, baby,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “Absolutely intoxicating.”

He ran his tongue over his lips as though savoring the taste of the air.

Scarlett stared back, panic simmering beneath her skin. “Damian-answer me!”

He kicked off his shoes and settled more comfortably into her bed, stretching out like he owned the place. “If you won’t leave the door open for me,” he said with a lazy smirk, “I’ll just have to find another way. It’s only been a few days, but I couldn’t sleep-all I could think about was you. If you won’t come to me…” He shrugged. “Then I’ll come to you.”

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Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer’s Begs