Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 530

Chapter 530 A Gentle Care

Claire nodded, no hesitation. “Yes.”

Scarlett blinked. “Is it really that obvious?”

Claire nodded again, even more emphatic this time. “Yeah. Really obvious.”

Scarlett let out a breath. “Claire, it’s nothing serious.”

Claire still looked like she wanted to push, but Scarlett got there first-turning the focus back on her.

“Anyway. How have you been lately? You and Zachary…”

At the mention of his name, Claire’s gaze flickered over to where Zachary was standing. He was lit up in the late afternoon sun, kind of glowing in that warm orange light. He was a good guy. Gentle. Attentive.

He hadn’t been through what she had.

He was still whole.

Standing there in the sunlight, he looked like someone who’d never had to carry anything ugly.

Claire dropped her eyes. “The past is the past. I just want to focus on now-on the people who matter. Zachary’s great. He really is. But I’m not the right person for him. So I’ve never let myself think it could be something more.”

Scarlett looked at her, something soft and sad flickering across her face.

Claire smiled, then added, “Anyway, Scarlett. From what I’ve seen? Damian? He’s a really, genuinely good guy. Don’t push him away so much.”

Scarlett didn’t answer right away.

Then she gave a small smile. “But Claire… the person all that kindness was meant for? That’s not

me.”

Claire frowned. “Wait. What?”

Scarlett hesitated. Then she shook her head. “Nothing. Doesn’t matter anyway. It’s not mine to keep. So I should probably give it back.”

Claire looked confused but didn’t press.

On the other side of the patio, Damian was helping Zachary and Felix with the gear. But his attention kept slipping-drifting over to Scarlett. She didn’t look happy. Whatever she and Claire were talking about, it seemed to be making it worse.

Zachary and Felix finished with the tents and caught Damian staring into space.

They walked over, and Zachary clapped him on the shoulder. “Alright, man. Let’s fire up the grill.”

Damian blinked, his mood flattening. “Yeah. Okay.”

They got the charcoal going. Felix took charge of the grill. Zachary handled the sauces and rubs. Scarlett and Claire shuttled skewers from the grate to the little table. Damian rinsed fruit under the hose.

Damian didn’t let go of her hand. Kept it right there under the water.

He watched her profile, voice low. “If I didn’t, how would you know to worry know to worry about me?”

Scarlett turned, exasperated. “You-”

He gave her that crooked smile. “Just admit it. You care.”

She looked away. “I don’t.”

Damian winced suddenly. “Ah-shit.”

His hand went to his chest. Face pinched.

Scarlett spun back, gripping his arm. “What? What’s wrong?”

He looked at her, eyes bright. Grinned. Took her hand again. “See? You say you don’t care.”

One eyebrow raised. That familiar hint of mischief creeping back in.

Scarlett looked away and pulled her hand free. Quietly. Slowly. And said nothing.