Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85 The Gown and the Invitation

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But the moment he stepped across the threshold, Vincent nearly collided with Lily, who was approaching the kitchen.

Vincent instructed her tersely, “Scarlett has injured her hand. Go inside and assist her with the wound.”

Inside the kitchen, Scarlett overheard the muffled voices at the door. She frowned, utterly perplexed by Vincent’s sudden, uncharacteristic concern.

There was no logical answer to be found, so Scarlett simply dismissed the thought from her mind.

A moment later, Lily entered and efficiently cleaned and dressed the small burn on her finger.

By the time the ministrations were complete, the oatmeal was perfectly cooked.

As Scarlett turned off the stove, she could hear the distinct, easy cadence of Vincent and Sabrina’s conversation drifting in from the hallway. She couldn’t make out the words, but the tone was unmistakably relaxed and familiar, a comfortable back-and-forth that spoke of deep intimacy.

Yes, the difference between being loved and not being loved is a chasm as wide as the ocean.

Throughout their five years of marriage, Scarlett had never felt she could simply be her authentic self around Vincent. She was in a constant state of high alert, second-guessing her every action, perpetually anxious about whether she was behaving correctly or if she might inadvertently provoke his displeasure.

Consequently, she had lived those years in a state of perpetual tension and profound exhaustion.

But no matter how hard she tried, the fundamental truth remained unchanged-Vincent simply did not love her.

Just then, Vincent abruptly walked back into the kitchen. Seeing Scarlett standing motionless by the stove, seemingly lost in thought, he grasped her arm to get her attention. “An urgent matter has come up at the office. I need to leave immediately. Once Vanessa is awake, can you take her to school?”

Scarlett didn’t even turn to look at him. She simply nodded, her voice flat. “Okay.”

Vincent’s gaze lingered on her profile. Her expression was placid, so utterly calm and devoid of its usual nervous energy that he found it completely unreadable.

Ultimately, he chose not to question her further.

He departed with Sabrina.

*****

The next afternoon, Scarlett had a rare day off from the hospital.

She was just preparing to leave for the library, the book Nolan had given her tucked securely under her arm, when her phone suddenly vibrated.

She glanced at the screen-it was a call from Damian.

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Chapter 85 The Gown and the Invitation

Remembering the significant favor he had done for her recently, she felt obligated to answer.

Standing by the window, hugging the textbook to her chest, she asked quietly, “What is it, Damian?”

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It was unusually quiet on Damian’s end. He adopted his characteristic, teasing drawl. “Hey there, beautiful. Been missing me?”

Scarlett’s brow furrowed slightly. “Damian, if you have a specific reason for calling, please just state it.”

She didn’t think Damian was a bad person, but his relentless, flirtatious banter was something she simply didn’t know how to handle.

“Aww, sweetheart, if you don’t miss me, my poor heart is going to shatter into a million pieces,” he sighed with theatrical despair, feigning profound sadness.

Scarlett, at a loss for how to respond to such antics, remained silent.

When it became clear she wouldn’t play along, Damian finally dropped the act. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing. I need you to accompany me to a banquet tonight.”

Recalling the promise she had made him, Scarlett agreed without argument. “Okay.”

Damian added, “I’ll have an appropriate outfit delivered to you. I’ll pick you up promptly at six. Someone will also contact you to handle hair and makeup.”

He had clearly arranged every detail, leaving Scarlett with nothing to worry about.

“Alright,” Scarlett affirmed, holding the phone.

Damian instantly switched back to his playful persona. “Okay, gorgeous, I’m hanging up now. Don’t forget to think of me!”

After the call ended, Scarlett hailed a taxi and returned to Theron Manor.

She hadn’t been home long before the promised stylists made contact.

The process of hair and makeup took nearly three hours. Scarlett’s limbs grew stiff, and her backside felt numb from sitting for so long.

Finally, the makeup artist stepped back and announced, “Ms. Theron, we are all finished. You can open your eyes.”

Scarlett did so and looked into the proffered mirror. Her eyes, enhanced by skillful makeup, appeared brighter and more luminous. Her teeth seemed whiter against the subtle blush that colored her cheeks, her brows were perfectly sculpted, and her lashes were curled to dramatic effect. The overall makeup was delicate and refined, making her skin appear flawlessly fair and giving her eyes a captivating depth and sparkle.

Staring at the reflection of the stunning woman gazing back, Scarlett felt a wave of disorientation.

It had been years-an eternity, it felt like-since she had taken the time to be professionally groomed like this. During her university days, she had been widely considered one of the most beautiful girls on campus, with no shortage of male admirers. But after meeting Vincent, all of that had gradually faded into irrelevance.

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The memory brought a sudden, unexpected sting to her eyes.

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The makeup artist, noticing the sheen of unshed tears, asked nervously, “Ms. Theron, is there something unsatisfactory about the final look?”

Scarlett forced a light laugh, quickly composing herself. “No, not at all. It’s just… I look so different. It’s a pleasant surprise, that’s all.”

The makeup artist visibly relaxed, discreetly wiping a bead of sweat from her temple. Before arriving, Damian had made it abundantly clear that if Scarlett was not completely satisfied, there would be severe consequences.

Once the makeup was confirmed, the artist helped Scarlett into the evening gown.

Damian had selected a brilliant, fiery red dress-bold, striking, and utterly daring. It was a style Scarlett would never have chosen for herself, convinced she couldn’t carry it off. But the moment the fabric settled on her frame, the makeup artist’s eyes widened with genuine admiration and a touch of envy. “Ms. Theron, this

gown was made for you. It fits you as if it were tailored precisely to your form.”

Scarlett did, indeed, possess an excellent figure-generous curves in all the right places, balanced by a slender waist and graceful limbs. Standing before the full-length mirror, even she was taken aback by the vision she presented.

Ever since Vanessa’s birth, she had not attended any formal social gatherings or events.

But beneath the surface, she was still a woman. The desire to stand confidently in the spotlight, to be seen and appreciated, had never truly died.

At six o’clock precisely, Damian’s car pulled up at Theron Manor, right on schedule.

With a final adjustment from the makeup artist, Scarlett took a deep breath and walked out of the manor to meet him.

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Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer’s Begs