Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174 Birthday Wounds and Sunflowers

Vanessa’s heart was clearly no longer with her mother.

So, Scarlett gently intervened. She said to Abbott, “Abbott, they’re waiting for you inside. You should take Vanessa in now.”

Then, turning to Nolan, she added, “Let’s go eat. I’m getting a little hungry.”

Nolan understood her unspoken meaning and didn’t press further. He left the scene with her.

In the end, the two of them ended up at a casual grill and bar, ordering a spread of loaded fries, wings, and burgers.

Perhaps because her mood was low, Scarlett also ordered a whole case of local craft beer.

Nolan wanted to comfort her but didn’t quite know how. He could only offer his silent, supportive company.

When the food arrived, Scarlett opened the beers, drinking one after another.

After several drinks, she could no longer hold back her tears.

Fortunately, they were in a secluded booth, so she could let her emotions out relatively freely.

But Scarlett was never one for dramatic outbursts; even in her grief, she cried quietly, her shoulders shaking slightly.

“Nolan, I’m getting a divorce,” she confessed, her voice thick with emotion.

“But this was the marriage I fought so hard for. Now it feels like chains holding me down. The daughter I risked everything to bring into this world… She feels like a punishment sent from above. But what did I do wrong? I loved them with everything I had. How could they treat me like this?”

Scarlett was clearly intoxicated, voicing thoughts that were usually too painful to articulate.

She cried and questioned, but there were no answers to be found.

Even Nolan could only gently pat her head and reassure her, “Scarlett, it’s not your fault. You did the best you could.”

Scarlett cried until her eyes were swollen and red, eventually falling asleep, her head leaning against Nolan’s shoulder.

When she opened her eyes again, she realized she seemed to be in a car.

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Chapter 174 Birthday Wounds and Sunflowers

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Finished

Her head throbbed painfully. As she reached up to massage her temples, Nolan’s gentle, concerned voice came from beside her. “Scarlett, you’re awake?”

Scarlett lowered her hand and looked around, realizing her head had been resting on Nolan’s lap.

She hurriedly tried to sit up. Nolan slowly assisted her. “Take it easy; you’ll feel dizzy if you move too fast.”

Once Scarlett was sitting upright, she leaned back against the headrest. She turned to look at Nolan. “Nolan, what time is it?”

Nolan glanced at his watch. “Two in the morning.”

Scarlett was stunned, then quickly said, embarrassed, “I’m so sorry for causing you so much trouble.”

She knew she had gotten drunk and had said many things she normally kept buried.

Nolan looked at her. His gentle features were handsome and pleasing. When he offered a faint smile, his eyes were particularly captivating.

He didn’t acknowledge her apology. Instead, he said to her, “Scarlett, happy birthday.”

A wave of sorrow washed over Scarlett’s heart. She turned her face away, momentarily speechless.

Nolan leaned over to the passenger seat and retrieved a bouquet of flowers and a gift bag.

He handed the flowers to Scarlett, simultaneously saying a bit sheepishly, “I should be giving these to you today, but I bought them yesterday. I wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday. But they’ve been in the car all night; they’re looking a little wilted now.”

Scarlett looked down. Nolan had given her a bouquet of sunflowers.

She took the flowers, her eyes reddening as she thanked him. “Thank you, Nolan.”

Seeing her accept them, Nolan’s smile widened. “About the divorce, let me help you find a lawyer.”

Scarlett shook her head. “I’ll talk to Vincent face-to-face when he’s back from his business trip. If we can’t reach an agreement, then I’ll seek legal counsel.”

Nolan didn’t insist, simply telling her, “Don’t ever settle for less than you deserve. You always deserve the best.”

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Chapter 174 Birthday Wounds and Sunflowers

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The next day was Scarlett’s 27th birthday.

In the morning, Diana made her a special birthday breakfast of pancakes with a candle on top.

After eating, Violet gave her the gift she had prepared in advance-a cashmere scarf from a high-end designer.

Nolan’s gift was still sitting on the table, unopened. The flowers, after a night in the car, had wilted considerably.

She carefully arranged the sunflowers in a vase and placed it on her nightstand.

Clara had the day off. After getting up, she came to Scarlett’s room, gave her a handful of carefully folded origami cranes and boats, and pestered her to let her braid her hair.

Cherishing this rare warmth, Scarlett naturally didn’t refuse.

She spent the whole day quietly with Clara.

In the evening, Nathan had reserved a table at a popular downtown restaurant and took the whole family out for dinner.

Although Nathan didn’t explicitly state the reason, everyone knew he wanted to celebrate his sister’s birthday.

At the restaurant, the whole family was present; no one was missing.

Nathan had chosen a vibrant Italian bistro, full of lively chatter and clinking glasses.

He handed the menu to Scarlett, his expression calm but not unkind. “Order whatever you like.”

Taking the menu, Scarlett couldn’t help but feel a pang of poignant sadness.

It had been several years since she had celebrated her birthday surrounded by her family.

After marrying Vincent, she had almost lost herself, spending day and night caring for Vanessa, and had let her own birthday pass by unnoticed, year after year.

Thinking about it now, she realized just how much she had neglected herself.

After they ordered, the family enjoyed a rare, relaxed evening together, simply chatting and catching up a simple, ordinary happiness that felt more precious than anything.

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Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer’s Begs