Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 581

With nearly every sentence, Scarlett found another way to thank Nolan.

But the more she thanked him, the more a wall seemed to build between them.

Nolan's mood curdled. He stopped responding altogether.

Damian caught the shift in his expression and understood exactly why. But matters of the heart didn't leave room for sympathy—if Nolan wanted to win, he'd have to step aside. Damian couldn't bring himself to feel guilty about that.

He tucked the blanket more securely around Scarlett, then turned to Nolan and Sean with the easy confidence of a man in his own home. "I appreciate you both coming. Her surgery—we're still counting on you."

Nolan stood frozen at the foot of the bed, his face shadowed and unreadable.

His silence grated on Sean.

Sean opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, Nolan grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door.

"Nolan, what are you doing? Why are we leaving? She's our friend—that guy's just some peacock showing off—"

Nolan didn't stop.

"Nolan, let go of me. If you won't say anything, I will—"

The door clicked shut, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Scarlett stared at the closed door, her brow furrowed with worry.

Damian noticed and shifted slightly, blocking her view without making it obvious.

She turned her face away without a word.

He wanted to say something, but the words sat heavy in his throat. Nolan wasn't like Vincent. Nolan was a good man—so good that even Damian couldn't bring himself to be cruel.

But love didn't leave room for fair play. He wouldn't give her up. So after a long moment, he decided that kindness, in this case, meant being harsh.

In the stairwell, Nolan finally released Sean's arm.

Sean was fuming. "What the hell was that? I can't stand that smug bastard acting like he owns the place. And you—what's wrong with you? You're one of the best surgeons in the country. You've got patents, money, reputation. You could give her everything. What are you so afraid of? So what if he's rich? That doesn't make him better for her than you."

Nolan stood by the window, letting the cold air cut through him. His thoughts were tangled. He couldn't breathe right. And every time he closed his eyes, he saw Damian leaning down to kiss her.

A long moment passed before he let out a slow, heavy breath. "It's not his fault," he said quietly. "It's mine."

Sean grabbed his shoulders. "What are you talking about?"

Nolan's gaze drifted, unfocused. His eyes looked almost wet. "I don't know how to fight for someone the way he does. I can't be pushy. I can't be... aggressive."

Sean's voice tightened. "Then why—"

After they left, Scarlett turned her back to Damian and stayed silent.

He could feel the shift in her mood. He knew it was because Nolan had seen them in the elevator. But he didn't regret it. If anything, he was grateful to his past self for not hesitating.

More than ten minutes passed in silence. Damian couldn't take it anymore.

He softened his voice, tentative. "Sweetheart, you awake?"

He knew she wasn't sleeping.

She didn't answer right away. Then, quietly, she said, "I know you were trying to get to Nolan."

Damian didn't bother denying it. "I wasn't trying to get to anyone."

She finally turned to face him, her eyes steady. "Damian. Nolan is a good man."

"I know that." His voice was calm, unapologetic. "But when it comes to you, he's a threat. Someone who could take you from me."

Scarlett let out a long breath. "Even if you'd done nothing, Nolan would never do the things you do."

To her, Nolan had always been gentle. Polished. Well-mannered. The kind of man who'd never push, never fight dirty, never raise his voice.