Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Scarlett’s POV

Lucian’s words left me stunned, rooted to the spot. I didn’t need anyone to confirm his sincerity-1 could feel it in every resigned word, see it in his hollowed eyes. He was serious about letting me go, even going as far as urging me to return to Yeith.

For Lucian, someone who had always been possessive and fiercely jealous, to say that aloud… it told me just how heavily all of this weighed on him. He looked worse than he had the day they came to bring me back from the West, a shadow of himself. And yet, even knowing this, anger and confusion tansted inside me.

How was I supposed to stay angry at him, knowing the toll it had taken on him? How could I hate him when i could see that he was already punishing himself? And the worst part-the truth that I couldn’t admit to myself, let alone to him-was that I didn’t truly love Keith. What I felt for him was gratitude. a deep bond of friendship, a kindness that came when I needed it most. Returning to him, knowing that Lucian, Clay, and Maxwell still held my heart in their grip, would be dishonest. Keith deserved more than to be second in someone’s heart.

But no matter how I searched for forgiveness, I couldn’t move past the betrayal. I wasn’t sure if I ever would.

“So… are we really going to leave?” Midnight’s voice echoed in my mind, soft but aware of the heartache not only within me but also within Lucian Maxwell, and Clay. She could feel it all, as I could, though I tried to shut her out.

“Why must I be the one to cross this bridge, Midnight? Why must I be the one to forgive and let it all go?” I choked out, feeling tears sliding down my cheeks. “Why didn’t they do the same for me? Why didn’t they come through when I needed them most?”

Midnight’s response came gently, a quiet truth that stung more than comforted.

“You didn’t have me back then, Scarlett. They were blind to your pain, unable to feel it the way you can feel theirs now. They couldn’t sense the depths of your truth as clearly as you can feel theirs now. They were walking in the dark,just like you, guided only by emotions, by their understanding of love. I say have come to you recently, Scarlett, but in a way, I understand them.”

Her words sliced through me, stripping away the layers of anger, leaving me feeling raw and exposed. I couldn’t bear it any longer. Frustrated, I stormed nat of the room, my mind racing with hurt, confusion, and a flicker of something close to regret.

As I exited the building, I nearly collided with Maxwell. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of loose shorts, probably fresh from a hunt with Neo met mine, lingering uncertainly.

I could see the hesitation there, the uncertainty about whether to speak or let me pass. It wasn’t fear of me that held him back- ksew that it was the same cautious restraint I saw in all of them, the wariness of saying anything that might add to the wounds they’d alrea cured.

For a moment, I wanted to say something, to break the silence, to demand answers or apologies, but my were would wane te te word den, & the

pain hanging thick in the air, a fragile silence neither of us dared to shatter.

“Are you alright?” Maxwell’s Voice was soft, Isil of genuine concern for a moment, I considered throwing hack soos starp real wing to da reasons I wasn’t alright. But honestly, I was exhausted angry, yes, but tured of holding on to it a tightly

“Walk with me, if you have the time,” I managed, watching as bus eyes lit up a flicker of huge gagge it neuty bruke dagh the could feel Hist surge of hope radiate off hum, and though I didn’t expect it to last, I did ( want to on it h

Maxwell fell into stop beside me, quiet and cautious, keeping his haul to homself of Fled us toward the poles got the cared The silence betwesen un felt heavy but not uncomfortable, and I acid people salude as we walked. Mustall related seirl respectful, his gaze downcast as if to show in publot puch as band cavselt pietyful for that jazbat

9:26 am P p pp

Chapter 172.

When we reached the path’s-turn, he finally broke the silence. “Clay mentioned that you might be returning to Keith soon.” His voice was careful, holding back more than he was saying. They’d probably linked him, sharing what had been said between us.

“Knowing that you’re alive, safe, and happy… that’s all we could ask for now. Asking you to forgive us, to let go of what we’ve done, would be selfish.” He swallowed, his expression steady, though 1 could sense his inner turmoil.

“We think it’s best we stop troubling you. But I would ask, if I may, that you allow Elsa to return so she can sever the bond properly. I want you to live a full life, unburdened by us.”

The gentleness in his words took me by surprise. For so long, they’d been the force holding me here, the gravity I couldn’t escape. Now, he was offering a way out, a chance to breathe free. His willingness to let go struck me, and I realised how much he, too, had been hurting.

I took a breath, steeling myself before I asked, “And what about Garland?”

His face hardened, shadows settling in his eyes.

“We’ll deal with Garland ourselves,” he replied, the strength in his voice reassuring yet solemn. “We won’t involve you in it. You’ve been through enough because of us, and we don’t want you to face any more pain on our behalf. It’s our responsibility.”

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