Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 301

Chapter 301 The Garden Confrontation

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From Lily’s expression, Scarlett could tell she had something to say, but Scarlett wasn’t in the mood to hear it. Before Lily could begin, she cut in, “Lily, why don’t you go ahead with what you need to do? Claire and I are going to take a walk around.”

With that, she took Claire’s hand and stood up, stepping out of the pavilion.

Lily opened her mouth a few times, trying to speak, but each time Scarlett gently brushed her off. Seeing there was no opening, Lily had no choice but to turn away and call Vincent.

The hospital gardens were quite expansive. Even in early winter, the faint, sweet scent of late- blooming jasmine hung in the cool air.

After strolling for a while, Claire nudged Scarlett subtly and glanced behind them. Scarlett turned to see Vincent making his way slowly toward them through the grounds.

Shrouded in the hazy morning mist, he wore a black overcoat left open over his clothes. His thick hair was slightly damp from the moisture in the air. As he emerged from the fog, the edges of his coat fluttered lightly in the breeze.

The moment she recognized Vincent, Scarlett instinctively turned to leave.

But he was quicker. “Ms. Wright,” he said, addressing Claire, “would you mind giving my wife and me a moment alone?”

Claire didn’t respond to Vincent. Instead, she looked at Scarlett, waiting for her cue. If Scarlett wanted to leave, she’d walk away with her right then.

After a brief pause, Scarlett patted Claire’s hand. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “Go on ahead, I’ll catch up in a bit.”

Claire still seemed concerned, but Scarlett offered a small, reassuring smile and a nod. Only then did Claire reluctantly head off toward the path.

Noticing Scarlett was only dressed in thin fleece pajamas, Vincent frowned deeply. “It’s cold out here. Why didn’t you put on something warmer?”

Scarlett turned slowly to face him. As she looked up, Vincent was already shrugging off his long overcoat. He moved behind her and draped it over her shoulders, his hands resting on the fabric for a moment to secure it.

Just as the weight of the coat settled, Scarlett shifted aside. “Vincent, don’t,” she said, her voice even. “I don’t need it.”

Vincent, taller and standing close, easily kept her within his reach. She had little room to step

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Chapter 301 The Garden Confrontation

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He gently but firmly settled the coat back onto her shoulders. Afraid she might remove it again, he kept his hands lightly on her shoulders through the thick wool and looked down at her. “Keep it on. There’s something I need to say.”

The coat was overwhelmingly long on her, nearly swallowing her whole. She looked almost comical wrapped in it, like a child lost in an adult’s

garment.

Ignoring his previous statement, she said instead, “The air is fresh out here. Since Vanessa’s fever broke, she’s been cooped up in that room. You should bring her out more often. The change would do her good.”

Seeing she wasn’t rejecting the coat anymore, Vincent slowly let his hands drop from her shoulders.

“Alright,” he replied.

Scarlett met his gaze. “What did you want to talk about?”

Vincent studied her face. “Are you feeling better now?”

Scarlett didn’t want to dwell on it. “Get to the point, Vincent.”

He hesitated, then said, “I was too harsh the other day. I’m sorry. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Scarlett wasn’t even sure which day he was referring to, and she didn’t care to ask. To her, it didn’t matter anymore. None of it did.

She

gave a slight, indifferent shrug. “It’s fine. Really. I’m used to it.”

Her detached tone made his chest tighten. He pressed on, wanting to explain. “I didn’t know you were running a fever that day. If I had-”

She cut him off. “Yeah, I got it.”

Her nonchalance was a dull ache. He heard himself say, “Move into Vanessa’s room. It’ll be easier for me to look after both of you.”

The suggestion took her by surprise, but only for a second. Her refusal was firm and immediate. “Thank you, but no.”

Vincent started to speak again, but Scarlett didn’t give him the chance. She held his continued, “Vincent, in less than twenty days, we should finalize things at the courthouse.”

gaze

and

Her words were both a reminder and a quiet boundary.

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Seeing the cool distance in her eyes, he simply said, “I know.”

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A faint, polite smile touched her lips. At the same time, she slipped off his coat and held it out to him. “If that’s all, I should be going.”

Vincent didn’t take it. “It’s winter. Keep it on. I don’t want you catching another chill.”

“No, thank you,” she said, the smile still there but not reaching her eyes.

She insisted, holding the coat out until he finally reached for it.

Once the coat was back in his hands, Scarlett turned without another word and walked away.

Watching her retreating figure, Vincent was suddenly struck by a memory of her–the Scarlett from before. The one who used to meet him at the door, taking his briefcase and hanging up his coat. The one who’d straighten his tie before he left for work, bring him a fresh cup of coffee when he was working late, or run a bath for him when he was tired.

Even though they hadn’t shared a home for long, in those moments they did, she had attended to every detail of his comfort.

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