Chapter 17: Chapter 17

SCARLETT's POV

I know that now is also the time for my cousins to find out what happened and why I disappeared so that they can understand what Sophia and I are fighting about.

They’re all aware of how close Sophia and I were back then. Sophia’s behavior changed when we were older.

I let it go because maybe she just had a problem, but I didn’t expect her to betray me and destroy me in front of our entire family.

I also know they all believe what Sophia said, which isn’t surprising that it’s one reason I left saying nothing and forgotten my responsibility for the family.

All of my decisions in life were wrong, and the only one that was right was how I raised my children.

I looked at my cousins, who were waiting for me to say something. I don’t know what happened to Rios, who seemed to know what was happening.

“I’m sorry, Scarlett. I admit I believed Sophia a bit because I also don’t know why you left without telling us.” said Lux as she bowed, and she apologized if she did something wrong, and smiled at her.

“No, it’s my fault,” I said, smiling. “I hid from you all for five years and returned as if nothing had happened. But… not because I'm not concerned about this family, but because it’s difficult for me to tell you the truth that I know will cause a big mess,” I rubbed her hand.

“I can’t blame you if that's what you believe, but it's not true; it’s not true that I went with the man and that’s why I left,” I shook my head. “That’s not true; I had a reason for running or hiding.” I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair.

“When I left, I was pregnant…” I said, as I laughed, seeing how surprised they were by what I said.

“What the hell…?”

I smiled and nodded at them. “Surprising, isn’t it? For a long time, I will admit that I had a boyfriend, or should I say, a husband, and I violated my forbidden laws.”

Their eyes widened.

Who wouldn’t be surprised? A miracle baby in the family had a husband. They forbid it to me because I wasn’t of the right age.

“Do you have a husband? Is he the father of your children?” I nodded when Lux asked.

“Sophia was the only one in the family who knew that he was my boyfriend before we got married.” I came to a halt when Ara raised her hand.

“Wait, Sophia knows you’re married and didn’t tell us?”

I shook my head. “I was the one who told her not to tell everyone because I didn’t want any trouble. I didn’t want chairperson to lose his trust in me, so we kept it a secret that I got married,” I grinned as I looked up at the ceiling.

“Who is this man? I’m going to kill him!” said Arthur, and I turned to face him as he prepared to kill whatever that man was. I shook my head and laughed at them.

“He’s not just who he is, Arthur, and he’s not just a random guy; he comes from an influential business family,” I said, grinning.

They frowned, as if they didn’t know who that person was. Don’t they have any idea who it is? They know who I’m referring to.

I sighed as I raised my eyebrows because they couldn’t figure out who it was. “His name is Dominic Austin Stone, and he’s my ex-husband.”

Ha… I’m crying all over again. Every time I mention his name, I feel pain. I haven’t seen him visit the mansion since the night we fought over what happened. My children, too, wonder when they will see their father again.

“What? No way!” Lux’s eyes widening in surprise.

“What the f-ck?! I’m going to kill that asshole!”

Our cousins nodded in approval.

There was also a commotion here because of what they found. I’m uncertain whether to laugh because their reactions will annoy me.

“That jerk!”

“Damn! I would like to kill him right now. He made Scarlett cry!”

“Damn you, you know about this, Erin!”

I shook my head. Isn’t it amazing that we could be together?

“I knew it!” said Hill as he looked at me.

Eron and Aaron gave each other a nod. “Yes, Dominic was different the night he beat Young because he was Scarlett’s husband.” Eron smirked, and Ara and Lux both looked at him, irritated.

“You already had a suspicion, but you’re not even saying anything!”

Ara slapped Eron. I laughed and wiped my tears away.

“You used to be like cats and dogs; there wasn’t a day when you didn’t fight him,” said Aiden. I smiled because it was true, and I mentioned it in previous chapters of my story.

When I remembered how much we loved each other and how we never argued with other women, it stunned me, but now I’m uncertain if I can go back to the way things were.

“Agustin looks like Dominic because he is the father.”

When they saw me, they all turned to face me and fell silent.

“Oh my gosh, Scarlett! I’m sorry! We’re still forcing you to go to the bridal shower! I’m sorry!”

They embraced me. I just smiled and patted them on the shoulder.

“What’s the matter with you and Sophia?”

It took aback, me and looked at Sander, who had been quiet. I averted my gaze from them.

“I was happy when Dominic and I married because there isn’t a day that he doesn’t court me even though we’re married, and Sophia always visits us to catch up with us,” I smiled as I cried.

“I didn’t even suspect Sophia because she was my sister, even though I knew she had a crush on Dominic because I thought she supported everything we had.” I said as I took a deep breath and bowed, almost shaking.

“When the Knights had a party, Dominic seems to have changed. I’m not feeling well, so I didn't go.” I looked at them.

“Ah, I know. Sophia and Dominic are there. I’m already noticing something, but I’m not paying attention for fear of making a mistake. Damn, that bitch.” said Ara. I smiled at her.

“I notice Dominic appears stunned, and he almost always tells me I should not leave him no matter what, which surprises me because I am confused about what is happening to him.” I took a deep breath and shook my head. “I also realize that he could have a problem at work because he won’t speak, but I also notice that when Sophia is at our house, I get a strange feeling, and Dominic disappears every night by my side.”

They panicked when they saw me crying.

“I didn’t suspect because I had faith in him, he wouldn’t cheat on me, that he wouldn’t betray me, but if I hadn’t caught them in our bed, I wouldn’t have thought anything was going on.” I said, as I bowed.

When I started crying, making them panic.

“I didn’t know how I would feel, and I didn’t know what to do because I was exhausted.” I smiled. “That was also the day I was going to announce that I was pregnant with our kids, but something else happened,” I said as I cried, covering my face.

“That’s why I left and run away from the problem so that my children wouldn’t be involved, but I didn’t expect everything to become much more messed up when I returned.”

“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault, and I’m sorry, if it hadn’t been for me, my parents wouldn’t be fighting, and I’m sorry if I was so selfish!” I apologized. They hugged me instead of being mad.

“Oh, my god! Don’t cry! Gosh!” Ara panicked as I cried in front of them. “I didn't know you were going through it. I’m going to kill that person!”

While smiling at them, I wiped my tears away. “Anyway, I'm feeling better,”

I smiled as I saw my cousins teasing each other. I felt like a family in their hugs. They had doubts about me before, but now I trust them. Family is the best.

“I know everything, Scarlett,” said Rios. It surprised me, but he nodded. “I know where you’re hiding and what you've been through.”

My eyes widened. When did he find out? Rios caught their attention.

“What? I knew she had a reason for hiding, so even though I found her for a long time, I didn't tell you where she was.” He grinned and sat in the chair.

“I was there when you gave birth, and I was there every day you raised our niece and nephew, and I bought the land for the business you want to start in the province,”

Did he find me a long time ago?

“Why didn’t you show up?” I asked. He sighed and smirked as he approached my seat.

“Since I know your reason, and I also know you would rather not show up, that’s why I didn’t tell them I found you.” he messed up my hair, but I just stared at him. “I didn’t come because I see you’re happy with your children, so I don’t see why I should send you home or stop you from making your decisions,” he said as he patted my shoulder.

“I’m here to support you in everything you do because I know you’re strong.” He turned to leave, but I hugged him.

“Thank you so much, Rios!” I said. He kissed my forehead and smiled at me.

“You’re still the Scarlett I know,” he said as he turned to leave, but he turned around again. “We have a big enemy. He’s just around here,” he said as he was walking away.

We all looked at each other, but they just shrugged.

“There’s something different about Rios,”

I nodded because Claire was right that Rios was different.

Is Rios aware of anything else?

We just talked because they said they missed me after I had been gone for five years, so I just told them about our life on the island.

They expressed a desire to visit Claire’s rest house and see the entire island, including the people because it was them for taking care of me while I was in province.

“There’s nothing wrong with visiting the island when you have spare time; the people there will be more than happy to have a visitor.” I said. They nodded and began shouting because they wanted to go on vacation, but the chairperson refused.

It took aback me when I remembered the clan meeting and the replacement of the throne. Except for my cousin, who was upset by Grandpa’s decisions, I didn’t even file an appeal.

I sighed and looked around because it seemed like I knew where I was.

“Is Young also here?” I asked. I smiled at my cousins.

“We don’t know what else Carter did to him. We taught him a lesson.”

I nodded because I couldn’t talk to Young.

“As far as we know, Young is in the hospital now because of the severe bruises and wounds he received from Brother Carter; Young is comatose!” said Lux as she rubbed her arms. “He’s insane!”

I winced because Lux is right, as well as Brother Carter are now here.

“Are you all right, Scarlett? Did Young do anything else to you?” asked Sandro. I shook my head because it was true. I’d be the one to beat him if they’re not interrupted me.

Damn! It turns out I won’t get anything from Young because I can’t talk to him because he’s unconscious. I stood up and checked my watch; maybe my children are looking for me.

“I’m going back to the mansion; perhaps my children are looking for me; I’ll just make it up to you next time,” I said, smiling. They are sad, but they understood I have children and work.

Claire and I exited their hideout, and she jumped on her motorcycle and drove home.

“See you tomorrow!”

She drove away on her motorcycle, and I waved at her.

I just smiled and returned to the mansion, but it surprised me when I saw Sophia waiting for me. She grabbed my arm and pulled me back as I passed by.

“What did you say to them?” she asked. I turned to face her and took my arm back.

“You don’t care what I say to them,” I said to her as I passed her, but she didn’t stop.

Every time she sees me, she makes a scene and demands the spot. I just shook my head and returned my gaze to her.

“You want a scene? You’re afraid of what I’ll say to them.” I approached her and asked. “Are you afraid of losing their trust?” I grinned as she paused.

“N-no! Shut up!” she said, pointing at me. “You have no power in this house, Scarlett! You are just a knight who is part of the family. Everything you will become mine, including our cousins and even our parents, so you'll leave this house!”

I clenched my fists and sighed. “Oh, yes! It’s all yours! Didn’t you take it? What else do you need from me?” I looked at her. “To ruin my life and the lives of my children once again?”

I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes, knowing that we were going back to the beginning.

“You can’t get me out of here, Sophia, because no matter what you do, I’m still a knight.” I said, and it stunned her. I could tell she was becoming more and more annoyed. “Are you upset with me because Dominic will not marry you, or because I am still here?”

Her eyes widened. “Dominic is going to marry me because he idolizes me!”

I nodded at what she was saying.

“Dominic loves you? My husband loves you, Sophia?” I asked, laughing at her, but I felt sorry for her. She was too eager to get everything.

“You are not his wife anymore!”

I agreed by nodding. “We are no longer married because of you,” I said, pointing at her. “Don’t act like you’re the one who robbed the husband because, foremost, I was his first wife,” I approached her.

“Even if you two marry, you’ll still be my husband’s mistress, Sophia; weren’t you the one who signed our divorce papers?” I grinned at her when she couldn’t speak.

“Before you speak, think first, because no matter what you do, you will never surpass me,” I said as I pushed her aside.

They will never hurt me again.

“Mommy.”

I smiled when I saw my children, but it faded away when I saw Dominic standing in front of them.

When he turned to face me, I noticed his eyes were puffy.

He seems to know the whole truth. As well, since Agustin and Carrie are his children.

I’m uncertain whether this will make me happy or make everyone more confused. There will be an enormous mess between the three of us here.