Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 31

Scarlett’s POV

Three days had passed since Maxwell and Clay arranged for me to have my own room. On the surface, it seemed like a small, kind gesture, but in my world, kindness was a fleeting thing, like magic–a trick that dazzles for a moment and vanishes without a trace. It didn’t take long for Maxwell to piece together that I was a virgin, and I could only hope that knowledge would put an end to the degrading names. For three days, I stayed in that small, quiet space, trying to savor the peace while it lasted. The omegas brought my meals, but I saw the way they looked at me distant, almost disdainful. They had little respect, but for once, I didn’t care.

I learned that Maxwell and Clay had traveled, which explained the eerie silence surrounding me. The absence of their protective presence meant I was left alone with Lucian, and that thought haunted me.

I knew Lucian resented me more than either of them, a cold, calculated hate that made the air feel heavier whenever he was nearby,

Yet, despite my anxiety, he had done nothing. His restraint felt unnatural, as if he were waiting for the perfect moment to shatter

whatever fragile peace I had found.

Sitting alone on the edge of the bed, a wave of emotion overcame me, I wasn’t sure if it was relief or sadness–maybe both. For

once. I allowed myself to cry, feeling the weight of everything settle over me. There was a flicker of hope in my heart that maybe

things could change, that maybe, just maybe, I would be seen as more than an object, a tool.

Lucian’s absence brought a quiet calm I hadn’t felt in so long, and I allowed myself to think, just for a moment, that things could

stay this way. But a bitter voice inside me whispered a reminder: nothing good lasts forever.

And there it was–the strange, painful truth of it all. Despite the coldness, the distance, and all the reasons I should hate them, I

was still drawn to Maxwell, Clay, and, yes, even Lucian.

It was a connection I didn’t want, a bond I fought to sever within myself, yet they held some unspoken power over me, a hold I couldn’t shake, no matter how I tried. I wished Lucian would simply reject me, grant me the freedom I so desperately craved, but his

refusal left me tangled trapped.

power esperave mother to

In the quiet, I allowed myself to mourn my father. Yes, he was a monster in many ways, but he was still my father. My mother had tried to convince me once that he wasn’t as cruel as people believed, that he had moments of kindness, but I found that hard to accept, especially after what Beta David had done to me under his watch.

I hugged my knees on the floor, unable to bring myself to relax fully on the bed. It was better not to get comfortable–if everything returned to the way it was, the disappointment would be easier to bear.

Then, a voice rang through my mind, sharp and demanding. Lucian’s voice.

“Join me for dinner,” he ordered, his tone deep and unyielding, pressing on me like a weight. My first impulse was to refuse, to stay hidden in my room. But I knew better than to defy him. I’d already seen what my defiance could cost, and the last thing I wanted was more trouble. Swallowing down my reluctance, I stood, smoothing down my clothes and preparing myself for whatever awaited.

I splashed cool water on my face, trying to wash away the emotions tangled within me. Once I felt composed enough, I made my

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Chapter 31

way down the hall to their apartment. A lingering unease tugged at me, but the sound of voices inside softened my anxiety. Lucian wasn’t alone. The presence of another person who I soon realized was Stasia–brought a wave of strange relief. As painful as it was to see them together, it was better than being vulnerable and alone with him.

When I stepped into the dining area, my stomach twisted. Lucian was sitting there, relaxed, with Stasia close beside him. Seeing them together, so casual and at ease, sent a spark of quiet rage flickering in my chest. It was barely a flicker, but I felt it simmering, hot and uncomfortable. He wouldn’t reject me, yet he wouldn’t stop flaunting his relationship with Stasia either. I knew about the mate bond’s pull–it was growing stronger within me each day, creating a dull, constant ache. His behaviour wasn’t just indifferent; it was cruel.

In my mind, I cursed the goddess for binding me to him, tying my soul to someone who saw fit to torment me. What had I done to deserve this? I didn’t choose to be born into my family, nor did I choose Lucian as a mate. He was keeping this twisted promise to a

relative I never met, and yet I was the one who had to suffer for it. How was that fair?

“I’m not hungry, Alpha Lucian,” I said, forcing a steady tone, determined not to let them see the pain I felt. All I wanted was to turn

and leave, to escape the scene of his affection with another.

Stasia shot me a smug, contemptuous look, her eyes mocking, and I held her gaze. I was done cowering under her scorn. Lucian’s

gaze darkened as he took in my stance, and his voice turned harsh.

“Do not disrespect my woman, Scarlett.” His words hit me like a slap, his cold warning cutting deep. A sharp pang tightened in my chest, a bitterness rising that I could barely contain. This was my mate, the person fate had supposedly chosen for me, and yet he

ely contain. This was m

stood here, defending another woman, making it clear how little I mattered to him.

I met his glare, the words forming on my tongue–words I wouldn’t say aloud, but thoughts I held fiercely in my mind. I didn’t want him, not after the way he’d treated me, the way he showed me every day that I was nothing more than a means to settle an old vendetta. If he thought his actions would make me grovel for his affection, he was wrong.

Comments

R

Visitor

Scarlet can reject them!!! why does she not go forward with rejecting them?

7 days ago

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