Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 181

hapter 181

Scarlett’s POV

Waking up from that horrible nightmare, feeling Clay’s steady presence beside me, brought me a rate moment of peace in the nightmare, I’d been overtakey by something dark, something cruel and vengeful, and it had destroyed everything and everyone I cared about. I hadte: heen myself it was as of a twisted force had taken control, leaving me helpless as Lucian, Maxwell, and Clay tried to reasf me, tried to save me.

That darkness consumed everything, a terrifying reminder of what unchecked anger and Bitterness could grow into. But how had that vision come to me he as I was beginning to let go of some of the pain? After Lucian’s words, after his release, I had fei: fighter, almost ready to tell Maxwell I wasn’t leaving, kund then the vision swept over me.

It left me wondering if fate was warning me to let go of all my grudges. But I wasn’t sure I could. There were names etched into my memory, a list of people who’d hurt me, people who deserved justice.

I knew Maxwell had dealt with Bianca, that she was locked up and stripped of her power, but she was only the first. David, the bearded man, Stasia, Tasha, and Timothy… each of them had played a part in my suffering, and I wanted them to pay.

If Martha hadn’t helped me out, if Ebenezer hadn’t stumbled upon me that night, if Keith hadn’t shown me kindness and given me shelter, I might not even be here now. When Lucian and the others found me, they claimed they’d come back for me, but by then, I could’ve been dead, frozen solid in the snow. If I had somehow survived, I would have been scarred, frostbitten, maybe with lost fingers, hands, or worse.

So how could I let all that go? How could I simply forgive those who had thrown me away, who had cast me aside so easily? I knew I’d begun to heal, to allow some of my bitterness to fade, but that didn’t mean I’d release the rest of them from accountability. Those people had wronged me, and I still held their names close, a vow that justice would be served.

As I lay there, feeling the comfort of Clay’s steady breath beside me, I resolved that while I might not let the darkness rule me, I would see this through. It wouldn’t consume me, but it wouldn’t be forgotten, either. For now, I would savor the warmth of this moment, the safety of waking up surrounded by those who cared for me. But the list remained, a quiet promise to myself.

Waking up in Clay’s arms, I felt his grip tighten around me, as if he was holding onto a memory. The warmth was there, comforting and strong, but beneath it, I sensed a certain finality in his touch.

They were truly serious about letting me go, about setting me free. They’d even told me I could return to Keith if that was what I wanted-a gesture that showed just how much they’d changed.

It was Lucian who surprised me the most. For someone so possessive and jealous, his willingness to step back was unexpected. He hadn’t said the word

“love,” but I could feel it in his actions; he’d come to understand what it meant.

But the irony was, this bird they were setting free wasn’t planning on flying away-not anymore. Of course, they didn’t know that yet.

I eased myself out of Clay’s arms, careful not to wake him, and stood up, realizing I was wearing an oversized T-shirt. It carried the scent of all three of them, confirming what I’d suspected: they must have taken turns keeping me warm. The thought made me smile, a faint warmth lingering in my chest. I needed a shower, a chance to rinse away the remnants of the nightmare and the exhaustion it had left in its wake.

As I turned to leave, Clay stirred, his eyes opening to find me.

“Scarlett?” he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

“I need to freshen up,” I replied gently, and he nodded, though I saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes, a trace of something unspoken.

10

31 am

Chapter 181

M

The test, 1 striped out into the apartment, surprised to fit empty, Lucian and Marvell must have ben already, probably making their meand The quiet was almost comforting as I made the way back to my from, where I coute finally pull myself together.

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