Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Vanessa’s Cold Shoulder

Finished

But after a moment’s thought, Vincent softened a little-he could at least understand how eager grandparents were to see their grandkids. He turned to carlett, his tone still cold but less sharp. “I don’t care either way, but Vanessa…” He trailed off, not needing to finish the sentence.

Scarlett knew exactly what he meant. Vanessa still held a grudge against her-still mad about the fight with Sabrina, still upset she hadn’t apologized. There was no way her daughter would agree to go to Theron Manor with her willingly. She didn’t beat around the bush, her voice straightforward. “That’s why I came to you. She listens to you more than she listens to me.”

Sabrina stood quietly beside Vincent, her hands folded in front of her, just listening to their back-and-forth without saying a word-like she was an observer, not someone who’d inserted herself into their family.

Vincent shrugged, his expression neutral. “Even if I talk to her, it might not work.” He wasn’t being difficult; he was just being honest. Vanessa had a mind of her own these days. She didn’t always do what he told her- she just feared him a little more than she feared anyone else.

Then he paused, glancing at Sabrina before adding, “How about this? I’ll have Sabrina talk to her. We were on our way to pick her up from kindergarten anyway. You can come with us.” His tone was casual, like it was no big deal-but Scarlett caught the underlying message. “You need Sabrina’s help, not mine.”

She turned to look at Sabrina. The woman stood tall, graceful, with a quiet confidence that seemed to radiate from her-like she had a magnetic pull that made Scarlett feel small, like she didn’t belong. A sharp wave of hurt washed over her, her nose stinging, tears picking at the corners of her eyes. But she blinked hard, forcing them back. She wasn’t going to cry in front of them.

“No need,” she said, turning away, her voice tight as she lung to the last bit of dignity she had. The thought hit her then, almost laughable-she’d carried Vanessa for nine months, given birth to her, stayed up with her through every fever and nightmare-and now she needed another woman to convince her own daughter to visit her grandparents. A kid who held that much resentment… maybe Scarlett didn’t even want her anymore.

But then she remembered her parents’ voices, soft and hopeful over the phone, begging to see their granddaughter. She stopped, her hands curling into fists so tight her nails dug into her palms, leaving half- moon marks.

After a few seconds, she turned back to Vincent, her voice steadier. “I mean… I drove here myself. I’ll just follow your car.”

Vincent noticed her eyes were a little red, like she’d been holding back tears, but he didn’t comment on it. He just nodded. “Okay.”

Sabrina finally spoke, her voice gentle, like she was trying to be reassuring. “Don’t worry, Ms. Theron. When we get to the kindergarten, I’ll do my best to talk to Vanssa. She’s a really sweet kid-she just needs a little nudge.”

Scarlett knew Sabrina was hinting at something-hinting that Scarlett wasn’t doing enough, that she didn’t understand her own daughter. But she couldn’t snap at abrina, not right now. She just swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded.

Scarlett climbed into her car and watched as Vincent walked around to Sabrina’s side, opening the door for her and leaning in to buckle her seatbelt. He’d always semed so untouchable-cold, distant, like nothing could soften him. But now he was bending over backward for someone else. The only person he’d ever done that for, she realized, was probably Sabrina.

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09:23 Wed, Jan

Chapter 30 Vanessa’s Cold Shoulder

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Finished

She sat there for a minute, not starting the engine. Sheaned back against the seat, staring out the window at the street-everything outside looked blurry, like her eyes were fogged over. Her heart hurt so bad it felt like it was being torn to shreds. It hurt to see how kind Vincent was to Sabrina, and it hurt even more to know her daughter would listen to Sabrina before she’d listen to her. She’d never done anything to hurt them, never been anything but a good mom and wife. So why were they treating her like this?

She sat there, numb, until her phone rang, jolting her out of her trance. She glanced down-Vincent’s name flashed on the screen. She answered, her voice hoarse. “What’s up?”

Vincent’s voice came through, casual. “Aren’t you following us yet? We’re about to pull out.” For once, he sounded like he cared-like he’d noticed she was lagging behind. But then she realized it wasn’t concern for her. It was just impatience, like she was holding them up

“I’m coming now,” she said, and hung up.

When she pulled into the kindergarten parking lot, the teachers were already standing at the gate, herding the kids into a line. Vanessa was at the front of her class, her little backpack slung over one shoulder. When she saw Sabrina, her face lit up-eyes wide, a big smile spreading across her face. But then the smile faded, and her shoulders drooped, her face turning sad again.

Scarlett could tell right away something was wrong. Her mom’s instincts kicked in-she worried Vanessa had been bullied, or forgotten her lunch, or gotten in trouble with the teacher. Without thinking, she called out, “Vanessa!”

Vanessa turned at the sound of her voice. For a split second, her face lit up like she was about to wave- happy to see her mom. But then she remembered Scarlett hadn’t taken her to school that morning. She’d been late, missed the morning circle time, and didn’t get the little sticker she’d worked so hard for. The happiness vanished, replaced by anger. She turned away ignoring Scarlett completely.

The smile froze on Scarlett’s face, then faded. She’d never really tried to fix things with Vanessa-not in the past few weeks. She’d let Vanessa pull away, let her get closer to Sabrina, because she didn’t want to fight. She figured Vanessa would come around eventually. But now, even when she reached out, she was ignored. How could she not feel heartbroken?

Ever since Vanessa was born, Scarlett had dreamed of being there for every moment-her first step, her first word, her first day of school. But now Vanessa was in kindergarten, and this was the first time Scarlett had ever come to pick her up. She’d missed so much.

One of the teachers spotted Sabrina and walked over, smiling warmly. “Vanessa’s mom! Good to see you.”

Sabrina didn’t correct her. She just smiled back, her voice friendly. “Hi there. How was her day?” Then she turned to Vanessa and waved. “Vanessa, come here!”

Vanessa grabbed her backpack and ran straight into Sabrina’s arms, burying her face in Sabrina’s shirt. And then, right there in the middle of the parking lot, she started crying-quiet, sniffling sobs,

“Sabrina,” she mumbled, her voice muffled by Sabrina’s ress. “Can you take me to school tomorrow? I don’t ever want to go to Great-Grandpa’s house again. It’s all Mom’s fault-I was late, and I didn’t get my sticker.”

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Awakened Housewife. Ignore Betrayer’s Begs