Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51 A Mother’s Distance

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Scarlett knew with chilling certainty that Vincent would never reconsider his decision, yet she remained rooted to the spot, her stubborn pride refusing to let he retreat.

She stood there until a pins-and-needles sensation crep up her legs, the physical numbness mirroring the emotional void spreading through her chest. Only when she could no longer feel her feet did she finally surrender, turning away with slumped shoulders to walk out of the hall in utter defeat.

The moment she disappeared from view, Vincent lowered himself into his chair and confronted the dinner spread before him. The table groaned under the weight of numerous dishes, yet he merely picked at his food, his appetite gone.

He recognized immediately that none of these dishes bore Scarlett’s touch-the flavors, the presentation, everything screamed of Freya’s competent but impersonal cooking.

If he was completely honest with himself, Nolan meant nothing to him. What grated on his nerves, what stirred that simmering irritation within him, was the unwavering certainty with which Scarlett always defended the man, that self-righteous conviction in her voice.

Well, if she had already cast him as the villain in this drama, he might as well embrace the role fully and see this through to the final act.

Outside, Scarlett remained sitting in her car for what fel like an eternity, the engine off and silence pressing in on her from all sides.

A wave of frustration washed over her, followed by creeping doubt. Had she been too rash? Had her confrontation only poured gasoline on the fire?

There might have been other ways to handle the situation, avenues left unexplored that could have salvaged something for Nolan. Now, she feared, she had only succeeded in digging his hole deeper.

Yet, a small, rational voice whispered in her mind that even if she had held her tongue, Nolan’s circumstances would likely have improved very little. Vincent’s mind, once set, was like granite.

Just then, Scarlett’s phone started ringing.

She glanced down at the screen-it was Vanessa calling.

She hesitated for a second before picking up. “Vanessa, what’s up?”

Her voice had a sharp coolness to it now, a distance that hadn’t been there before.

Vanessa caught on right away. “Mom, are you at Theron Manor right now?”

Ever since she’d told Scarlett to leave Theron Manor, a weird unease had been nagging at Vanessa-this constant fear that Scarlett didn’t love her anymore,

Scarlett answered flatly, “No, I’m not.”

Vanessa’s voice drooped with disappointment. “Oh? You’re still at work? I was thinking… maybe I could go see Grandma at Theron Manor.”

She didn’t actually want to visit her grandma-this was just a test, to see if Scarlett still cared about what she

wanted.

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Chapter 51 A Mother’s Distance

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She’d tried the same trick a few days earlier with the kindergarten event, and Scarlett had turned her down then, too.

Scarlett had said she was busy. Vanessa had told herselfver and over that if Scarlett hadn’t been busy, she would’ve definitely gone with her.

Scarlett shot down the idea. “That’s not necessary. Your randma needs her rest.”

After Vanessa’s last visit, Diana had fallen ill.

Scarlett knew precisely why-Vanessa’s words and behavior had upset her.

It wasn’t a serious physical ailment, but emotionally, Diana just couldn’t seem to move past it.

Feeling her options dwindling, Vanessa lowered her voice and asked tentatively, “Mom… are you still mad at me?”

Scarlett’s demeanor remained frosty. “No.”

When disappointment accumulated enough, expectations finally ceased.

And when there were no more expectations, there was nothing left to be angry about.

Vanessa tried again, her voice cautious and pleading, “Mom, can you pick me up from school tomorrow?”

Vanessa kind of liked it when Sabrina picked her up-her classmates always commented on how beautiful Sabrina was, and it made her feel proud.

But ever since she’d told Scarlett to leave, a guilty little feeling had been niggling at her. She wanted to make things right with Scarlett.

If they could patch things up, she could finally relax-le Sabrina pick her up every day without that heavy weight on her chest.

Otherwise, that worry would just keep eating away at her.

Scarlett had no clue what Vanessa was thinking, but she really didn’t have time tomorrow-so she turned her down again. “Vanessa, I’ve got to work tomorrow. Ask your dad to pick you up.”

Vanessa had no choice but to sigh in defeat. “Okay.”

Scarlett didn’t even seem like she wanted to talk more. “‘m gonna hang up now. Go get some rest.”

Before Vanessa could even say anything back, Scarlett ended the call.

She drove back to Theron Manor, getting there a little after 8 PM.

As she parked her car and walked toward the entrance, he ran into Henry-he was on his way out.

“Dad, what’s going on? Where are you headed?”

Henry replied, “Clara’s been out playing for quite a while. I’m going to find her.”

“Dad, let me go. You should stay and rest.”

Henry nodded in agreement. “Alright. I’ll have the staff eep dinner warm for you. You can eat when you get

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Chapter 51 A Mother’s Distance

back.”

“Okay.”

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Scarlett stepped through the gates of Theron Manor one again, the evening air cool against her skin. Parked directly across the street sat a sleek black luxury sedan, its engine idling quietly in the growing darkness.

Inside the vehicle, Vanessa’s eyes widened the moment he spotted her mother emerging from the estate. “Mr. Reed, please open the door!” she urged the driver, Her voice tight with urgency. “I can see Mom!”

Sam Reed, the family driver, had already noticed Scarlet’s approach. With practiced efficiency, he exited the vehicle and moved to open the passenger door for the eager young girl.

At that same moment, Scarlett’s voice cut through the twilight, warm and carrying. “Clara! Dinner time, sweetheart!”

The immediate response came from the direction of the nearby plaza. “Auntie, I’m coming!” Clara’s cheerful voice rang out before she even came into view.

Less than a minute later, the little girl came sprinting across the pavement, her small shoes pattering against the pavement. Without breaking stride, she launched herself directly into Scarlett’s waiting embrace, trusting completely that her aunt would catch her.

“You’re home!” Clara gasped, slightly breathless from her run as she nestled comfortably in Scarlett’s arms. “Was your day very tiring? Grandma told the kitchen staff to prepare all your favorite dishes specially for you!”

A genuine smile finally touched Scarlett’s lips as she adjusted her hold on the child. She lifted Clara effortlessly, bringing them eye to eye before leaning in to gently press her forehead against the little girl’s in a tender gesture. “The moment I see your smiling face, all my weariness just melts away,” she murmured, her voice softening. “How could I possibly feel tired when I have the world’s sweetest niece to welcome me home?”

Clara giggled delightedly and cupped Scarlett’s face with her small hands. “Auntie, you look so pretty today!”

“Thank you for the sweet compliment, Clara. You’re absolutely adorable, too!”

“But everyone says I’m chubby.”

“You are not chubby at all! As you grow up, you’ll change. All girls transform beautifully as they get older.”

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