Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Guest Room Tensions

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Finished

Xavier let out one heavy sigh after another as he spoke, his voice thick with feigned weariness.

Seeing him like that, Scarlett’s heart twisted-sharp and uncomfortable. She instantly regretted her earlier words, wishing she could take them back. “Grandpa, I’m not leaving,” she said, giving in. Scarlett had always been soft-hearted, and she’d never been able to resist Xavier’s gentle guilt. “I’ll stay. We can have breakfast together tomorrow.”

With Vincent supporting his elbow, Xavier turned toward his bedroom. He didn’t glance back at Scarlett, but Vincent caught the faint, sly smile tugging at Xavier lips. Vincent knew him too well-Xavier was a master at playing the sympathy card, and none of them had ever been able to outlast him at it. It was a trick he’d used for years, and it still worked every time.

Now, only Scarlett and Vanessa remained in the living room. The silence hung thick in the air, so quiet that one could’ve heard a pin drop. Scarlett could hear Vanessa shuffling her cards behind her-soft, repetitive sounds. Once upon a time, she would’ve crossed the room in a heartbeat, hugged her daughter tight, and asked all about her day at kindergarten-what games she’d played, which friends she’d sat with, if she’d eaten all her lunch. But now? She felt nothing but a dull indifference. She didn’t have the energy to reach out, not anymore.

After standing there for a minute, she turned and headed straight upstairs. Staying overnight at Stewart Manor wasn’t new-she knew where everything was, knew she could just grab her things and get ready for bed. There was no need to linger.

Vanessa kept playing her cards, but her eyes kept darting to Scarlett. When she saw Scarlett pause by the dining table, she smiled to herself, assuming Scarlett was working up the nerve to come over and apologize. When Scarlett finally lifted her foot, Vanessa’s heart raced-she’d already planned to hug her, to melt into her mom’s arms like she used to. It had been so long since they’d hugged, so long since Scarlett had held her. She’d even daydreamed about asking to sleep in her mom’s bed that night, just like when she was little and scared of thunderstorms.

But Scarlett didn’t walk toward her. She just turned and went up the stairs, her back straight, like Vanessa

wasn’t even there.

Vanessa’s smile faded instantly. Anger bubbled up inside her, hot and fast. She grabbed her deck of cards and threw them across the floor-cards scattered everywhere, landing on the rug, under the couch, across the table. “Hmph! Stupid mom! Bad mom!” she yelled, her voice wobbly with fury. “I’m never talking to you again!”

While Vanessa threw her little tantrum in the living room, Vincent stepped out of Xavier’s bedroom. He spotted the cards strewn across the floor first, then glanced around-no sign of Scarlett. Confused, he knelt down to pick up a few cards and asked Vanessa, “Where’s your mom?”

Vanessa jabbed a finger toward the stairs, her face still rel with anger. “She went up. She didn’t even say goodbye!”

Vincent paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. That woman-she’d once treated Vanessa like she was her whole world, like nothing else mattered. Now? She couldn’t even be bothered to say goodnight to their daughter. He didn’t understand what had changed.

After a second, he stood up and took Vanessa’s hand. “Come on. Let’s get you washed up for bed.”

Vanessa pulled her hand away. “Dad, I don’t want to sleep with Mom!”

Vincent looked at her, his expression blank-no warmth no sympathy. “Great-Grandpa only set up one

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Chapter 26 Guest Room Tensions

guest room. If you don’t want to sleep with her, go talk to him yourself.”

ར ཱཿ861

Finished

Vanessa pouted, her lower lip sticking out. Annoyance and defiance flashed in her eyes, but she knew arguing was useless. Vincent wasn’t taking her side this time-throwing a fit wouldn’t change anything. Reluctantly, she nodded. If mom’s gonna ignore me, I’ll ignore her right back.

When they reached the guest room, Scarlett wasn’t there. bustling around like she usually did-laying out pajamas, grabbing toothbrushes and towels, making sure everything was ready for Vanessa. Instead, the bathroom light was on, and Scarlett’s soft movements could be heard inside-she was getting cleaned up, taking her time, like she didn’t have a care in the world.

Vincent stared at the closed bathroom door, confused. He had no idea what had gotten into Scarlett lately. He took off his watch and jacket, draping the jacket over the arm of the couch, then sat down, his phone in his hand.

Vanessa looked around the room, her lip trembling. She was used to her mom fawning over her-fixing her hair, tucking her in, singing her a lullaby. Now, there was nothing. The silence made her angrier, but she bit her lip and held back her tears. She wasn’t gonna cry in front of Dad.

Soon, Scarlett came out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy white bathrobe, her hair still damp. She saw Vincent and Vanessa sitting on the couch, their eyes fixed on her-like they were waiting for her to jump up and take care of them, like she always had. A bitter laugh almost escaped her, but she bit it back. She said nothing, didn’t even meet their eyes, just grabbed her hair dryer and went to the vanity to dry her hair.

Once her hair was dry, she walked over to the couch. Vincent was holding his phone, a video call going— Sabrina’s face was visible on the screen. Vanessa was snuggled up against his side, grinning at Sabrina like she was the most important person in the room.

“Sabrina, are you gonna go to bed soon?” Vanessa asked, her voice sweet.

On the other end, Sabrina’s voice was warm and cheerful. “I was just about to, but if you want to chat a little longer, I’ll stay up for you, Vanessa. I miss talking to my favorite girl!”

Vanessa saw Scarlett out of the corner of her eye, but she didn’t move. She just leaned closer to Vincent, as if to say, “See? I don’t need you.”

Once upon a time, seeing them this close to Sabrina would’ve hurt-sharp, like a knife. Scarlett would’ve felt a twist of jealousy, would’ve hurried over to ask if they were ready for bed, if they needed anything, just to remind them she was there. But now? She didn’t care. The video call, Vanessa’s smile, Vincent’s quiet laughter-none of it touched her. “I’ll sleep on the couch tonight,” she said, her voice flat. “You two can take the bed. Keep chatting, if you want.”

Both Vincent and Vanessa looked up at her, stunned-their mouths slightly open, eyes wide. They couldn’t believe what they’d heard.

But Scarlett didn’t flinch under their stares. She repeated, calm and firm, “I’m sleeping on the couch. You guys take the bed.”

Vanessa glared at her, fury sparking in her eyes. She opened her mouth to yell, but Vincent spoke first, his voice sharp, “Vanessa, aren’t you going to take a bath?”

Scarlett ran a hand through her dry hair, her tone casual like she was talking about the weather. “Let the maid do it.”

She used to do everything for Vanessa-bathe her, dress her, read to her. She’d thought her effort would matter, would make Vanessa love her back. But it never had. Now, she didn’t want to bother anymore.

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Chapter 26 Guest Room Tensions

Vincent’s jaw tightened. “You always did it before.”

Finished

Scarlett didn’t back down. “When I wasn’t here, she was fine, wasn’t she?” she said, her eyes finally meeting his. “Wasn’t it always Lily who bathed her when I was at work? She’ll be fine.”

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Awakened Housewife: Ignore Betrayer’s Begs