Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 296

Chapter 296 Cold Shoulder

Just moments before, Scarlett had genuinely been moved by Damian’s kindness.

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She had even allowed herself to wonder–what if his care was real? What if, by pushing him

she was turning her back on someone who might truly cherish her?

away,

But now, looking down from above, it seemed nothing had changed after all.

Whether it was Vincent or Damian, they were all the same–men she couldn’t afford to trust with her heart.

Even as the thought formed, tears escaped her eyes.

She stayed by the window, letting the night air chill the wet tracks on her cheeks.

In an instant, the fragile warmth inside her vanished, replaced by a familiar, hollow coldness.

Perhaps it was for the best–she hadn’t fallen too deeply yet. There was still time to pull back.

Scarlett didn’t watch any longer. Slowly, she made her way back to her room.

She had just settled into bed when Damian returned.

He entered quietly, careful not to make noise, thinking she was asleep. But when he reached the bedside, he found her eyes open, gazing into the dimness.

“Still awake?” he asked softly, a trace of surprise in his voice.

Scarlett glanced at him. “Yes.”

Something in her tone felt distant. Gently, Damian probed, “Would it help if I held you?”

Instead of answering, she asked a question of her own, “You were gone a while. What were you doing?”

She was giving him a chance–if he told her the truth, she thought she might still listen.

But Damian didn’t mention Sabrina. “Just took a work call,” he explained.

At that, the last bit of warmth in Scarlett’s chest dissolved. She offered a faint, empty smile. “I see.”

Seeing her smile, Damian tried again. “Can I… hold you while you sleep?”

He began to move onto the bed, but Scarlett didn’t shift to make room. She simply looked at

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Chapter 296 Cold Shoulder

him, her voice cool and detached. “No. I’d prefer to sleep alone.”

Then she turned onto her side, her back to him.

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Damian stood frozen, suddenly at a loss. Everything had seemed fine just a short while ago…

A restless unease settled in his chest. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you feeling worse? Is it the fever?”

Scarlett didn’t turn. “No. I’m just tired.”

Her tone was closed off again, guarded–exactly as it had been in the beginning.

Damian fell silent, but his eyes remained fixed on her, unwilling to look away.

He stared at the curve of her shoulder, the back of her head, as if he could see through her–but

he couldn’t.

Was she upset over Vincent again?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Scarlett suddenly turned back.

The small bedside lamp cast soft, shifting shadows, leaving her expression hard to read.

She studied him for a moment, then said quietly, “You smell like perfume.”

There was no actual scent–she said it deliberately, testing whether he would admit to seeing Sabrina.

Hearing her speak again, Damian’s thoughts scattered briefly. He lifted his collar and pretended to smell it, then flashed her a playful, rogue’s smile. “It’s your scent, I think.”

Scarlett’s lips pressed into a thin, humorless smile. “Let’s just sleep, Damian. I’m tired.”

With that, she turned away once more.

Damian had hoped she might shift over, even a little–if she had, he would have curled beside her. But she left him no space at all.

Not wanting to disturb her rest, he didn’t push.

He sank into the chair beside the bed, leaned forward, and lowered his head to text Zachary, “Come to the hospital tomorrow. Keep Scarlett company.”

He thought Scarlett might be in low spirits. Having someone else around could help.

Lying on her side, Scarlett couldn’t sleep.

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Before, she’d always believed Damian wanted something from her–she just couldn’t figure out

what.

Tonight, she thought she might finally understand.

What Damian wanted was likely Sabrina.

And since Sabrina was fixated on Vincent, he was starting by getting close to her.

*****

The next morning, just as dawn tinged the sky, Vincent’s phone buzzed with a message from Lily.

“Mr. Stewart, I’ve prepared breakfast and am leaving Ravenshade Villa now. If Ms. Stewart is still asleep, could you meet me outside to get it?”

Vincent replied, “Okay.”

Vanessa had been moved to a regular room overnight.

About half an hour later, Lily arrived outside the door.

Vanessa was still sleeping, so Vincent rose quietly and stepped into the hallway.

When Lily handed him the insulated bag, he didn’t take it immediately.

After a brief pause, he said, “Lily… give Scarlett a call.”

Lily looked startled. “Pardon?”

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