Chapter 58: Chapter 58

SCARLETT’s POV

I’m uncertain if anything will change or if I will change.

They have been very protective of me since I was a child. Particularly, my mother. They don’t let me play with other kids, and they also don’t let me be alone in the mansion.

It started when I woke in the hospital. I felt nothing else, and I thought it was stupid that my family was always worried about me.

I couldn’t talk for a few days, and I saw my cousins practicing for something I don’t understand. They invited me several times, but I declined each time. All I know is that I need to be alone. I don’t want to talk to anyone, and I don’t want to hear anything.

They stated I had changed. I am no longer Scarlett, the cheerful and dumb child who didn't understand what they were up to.

I also feel like I forgot something, and I’d like to know why I was in the hospital and what I was doing there. So, I tried to talk to mom about it, but she always avoids the topic, as if she’s hiding something.

That situation played out for months inside the mansion. I still see my cousins training with Grandpa, and whenever I hear a shot, I hide under the bed wrapped in a blanket, my body trembling. I’m not certain why, but when I hear a gunshot, I feel different.

As a result, they have prohibited fireworks in our village since that time.

I was confused by what was going on, so I tried to talk to my family because someone seemed to have gone missing in the mansion.

“I haven’t seen my grandmother in months, and what is going on with me?”

They didn’t respond, but I felt that something was wrong with their looks. I also heard that mom and dad used to fight all the time.

“How long will we keep Venice from seeing the truth, Sharlene? Our daughter is growing up; she can’t go through life unaware of what’s going on!”

“Stop it, Vernon; I’ll decide for the sake of my daughter.”

“F-ck, you think this is good for Venice? I agree with your intentions to erase her memory! But this is not what I want! Can’t you see she’s struggling as well? Our daughter, Sharlene, is struggling! Don’t be selfish!”

“F-ck you, Vernon! I’m not being selfish. I’m just doing this because I don’t want her trauma to return. Why don’t you get it?”

I was just staring at nothing while covering my two ears, so I wouldn’t hear their shouting, but no matter how hard I tried, their voices only got louder.

Why were my parents fighting?

I asked them several times, but they remained silent. They, too, refuse to admit it. I remember going to my grandfather one day and saying, “Grandfather, I want you to teach me how to protect myself and our family.”

Grandpa was glad when he heard that from me, but he was also worried because I might not be ready yet. I remember being determined to do it because I was jealous of my cousins and felt it was unfair to them because they were making training difficult. Whereas, I am like a fool who doesn’t know what is going on around me.

I trained with my cousins as if I were slowly regaining my personality until I heard my parents fighting again and again and discovered what had happened to my grandmother.

“See? Scarlett will recover, and I know my daughter will start recovering.”

“How many times do I have to remind you, Sharlene, that we should tell our daughter what really happened to mom?”

“No, she won’t be able to handle it.”

“Sharlene, how many times has Scarlett approached me and asked where her grandmother is? I can’t answer because, like you, I’m afraid that once she learns that Lady Josephine is dead, she won’t be able to go back to the way she was before. But I can’t hide everything from her either. I feel sorry for our daughter.”

“We’ll take it step by step, Vernon.”

I don’t know, but it seemed like my head was being squeezed, and I was almost deaf when I heard it. My grandmother, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, turned out to be dead.

I couldn’t help but wonder, “Why they keep Grandma’s death from me?” They didn’t respond because I knew they were hiding something else. I stopped wondering about them and accepted that Grandma would never return.

I continued with my responsibility for the family because I remember grandma’s words to me, and I intend to keep my promise to her.

“Scarlett.”

I blinked and turned to face the person who had called me.

“You haven’t eaten yet, and they’re waiting for your signal to fulfill our plan,” said Rios. I turned away from him.

I would rather not talk to him or any of them. They seem to have betrayed me as well.

“Scarlett, we’ve arrived at this point; are you going to give up?”

I clenched my fist, but I still didn’t respond to him.

“How many days have you been like this? We’ve been arguing about what else to do for a few days, and we won’t be able to save brother Erin if you keep acting like this.”

I laughed as I wiped my tears, and asked, “What are we doing? Do we even have a plan?”

My question surprised him. They must answer more than just those questions.

“Scarlett?”

I looked at Rios. “You’re still making me look naïve,” I smirked. He frowned because I could tell he was annoyed by what I was saying.

“What’s wrong with you? I’m worried!” he yelled at me, and, making me grin even wider.

“You’re keeping something from me, Rios; why don’t you tell me everything?”

“What’s the matter with you? I don’t understand you—”

“You can’t understand me because you’re still keeping it from me!” I yelled. He came to a halt, and I turned to face him. “How many years have passed, Rios? How many more years do you intend to keep everything hidden? What’s going on in our family?”

It surprised me when I noticed his eyes were emotionless. As in empty.

“We’re not hiding anything from you; fix yourself because we’re about to make plans,” he said, turning his back on me, but…

“Grandma’s death…”

He came to a halt but did not look at me.

“She didn’t die from the disease, right? You just let it out, so my memory wouldn’t come back!” I shook my head. “Solen Madrid! She’s Sophia’s mother, am I right?” I asked, standing up to approach him.

“This is not what I wanted for our family. I endured grandfather’s rage and insults just to stand by all my decisions. But I have children, Rios, and I don’t want them to grow up in a troubled family!”

I was too mad to comb my hair. They’re still caressing me, so I’m just more confused.

“Enough, Scarlett. Take a break. I apologize for not informing you of our plan,” he just said, and he was about to come out when I ran up to punch him, but he dodged my punch and grabbed my fist.

“Please, Scarlett, don’t be so stubborn.”

I ignored him and kicked his leg again, but he dodged it. F-ck. Who am I to be surprised? They are better compared to me.

“Stop!” he yelled, so I punched the wall.

“Damn you. That’s not what I want to hear from you. Don’t make me a fool! It’s difficult for me to understand you!” I exclaimed, and letting my blood flow from my fist.

The tension between us is increasing. I never imagined Rios and I would argue.

“What is going on with you? Stop it! Everything you’ve worked for will be ruined if you keep being stubborn!”

I chuckled and stood up straight.

“There are things Solen told me that maybe she's right, possibly the surrounding people are involved because of me." I exclaimed. “Do you know what happened to me? My surroundings almost went dark, and my mind almost went blank when I heard that; I don’t know what I’m going to feel, and you’re still making me look like a fool until now.”

I glared at him, my eyes welling up with tears.

“All I want to know is the truth about Grandma's death—” he cut me off.

“And then what?”

I came to a halt and looked at him.

“What are you going to do if I tell you the truth?”

I took a step back and shook my head at him.

“Is this what you want, Scarlett? Then fine!”

When I saw him grin, my eyes widened.

“Your suspicion is right: Lady Josephine did not die of illness; the truth is he was murdered.”

When I heard him, I came to a halt and my mouth dropped open.

“Then what? What are you going to do? Attack them alone and endanger yourself?”

I couldn’t speak anymore and just stared into the air as my tears flowed.

“Get out,” I said, trembling. He sighed and moved in closer, but I backed away.

“At least we never made a fool of you, Scarlett. We are concerned about you since you are our youngest. It is your parents’ decision, so don’t blame us.” He sighed as I avoided him.

“Because we know you’ll do something against our family law if you remember everything. Let us finish everything together—”

I put my hands over my ears, so I wouldn’t hear what he was saying.

“Get out! Leave me alone!” I yelled, closing my eyes tightly.

“Do you want to hear the truth?”

“Shut the f–ck up! Leave me alone! I want to be alone!” I yelled, throwing a pillow at him. “I don’t need all of you! Get out!”

I sat on the floor panting, feeling weak from not eating for several days.

“But we need you. Don’t waste your hard work for nothing. We’re not your enemies; we’re your family. Please, eat.”

I heard his footsteps leaving the room and the door closing. I hid my face behind my hands. “What should I do?”

***

THIRD POV

Rios sighed, and it surprised him when someone slapped him.

“What have you done, Rios?!? You’re only making things worse.” Ara yelled.

He didn’t say anything and just stared at their cousins, who were also staring at him.

He grinned, and his jaw tightened.

“We can’t hide everything from Scarlett; the day will come when she remembers everything, and that will be a disaster,” he held his cheek and looked at his cousins seriously. “You know her. Her personality changed before she joined the training,” he said, shaking his head.

“But not this way, Rios. Scarlett is still sick, but you told her the truth, and you know everything will be complicated.”

Rios shook his head, knowing what he did was wrong, but he didn’t do it to make things worse because it was better for Scarlett to know what to do next.

“I know what I did was wrong, but I feel sorry for Scarlett; she’s too clueless about what’s going on, especially since she has no idea what we’re fighting for,” he rubbed his cheek. “Let’s stop arguing because this is probably what they want, and I’m just going to rest,” he said as he went into his room to think.

The Knights remained silent because they believed Rios was only worried about Scarlett. They carried on with their plans.

Meanwhile, there was a dinner, and Jaguar went because the old man called up him. He bowed to the old man before taking a seat across from Solen.

“We just had dinner again; it’s better to enhance our side,” said the old man with a smile, and Solen and Sophia grinned.

Jaguar remained silent as he observed the people in front of him.

“I heard you’re close to Scarlett Knights? Hmm, sounds like you’ve got a good plan.”

Jaguar smirked and looked at the old man. “Of course. That’s our plan, right? Don’t worry, I won’t lose focus on the plan,” he said with a smirk as he raised his glass to join them in celebrating.

He looked at Sophia, who was staring at him.

“Don’t let me down, son; the Knights’ fall is near, and we will win the battle.”

“When have I failed you, father?” Jaguar laughed.

The older man laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

“Don’t lie to us.”

When Sophia spoke, the three of them came to a halt.

“That’s not true. You’re the reason Erin Knight that almost escaped,” said Sophia, turning to face the old man. “Sorry, master, but that’s the truth.”

Jaguar raised his eyebrows but laughed because Sophia was desperate to take his place.

“We shouldn’t trust Jaguar anymore; I know he’s planning something as well,” she said, adding that Solen had agreed to punish Jaguar for his violation.

“Hmm…” Jaguar leaned back on the table, smiling at Solen and Sophia. “Why don’t we involve Dominic Stone?” Jaguar smirked as he looked at Sophia, whose eyes widened.

“Dominic Stone?”

He gave a nod.

“Scarlett Knights’ ex-husband. Then Scarlett can choose who she will save: her dear cousin or her ex-husband?” Jaguar grinned at Sophia, who was panicking because she knew how Jaguar acted.

Her hands shook as she stood up and pointed at Jaguar. “Don’t bring him up! We’re getting married, and he’s my fiancé!” exclaimed Sophia. “Jaguar, don’t even think about touching him!”

He smirked because he was happy to see Sophia annoyed.

“From what I hear, Dominic pulled out of the marriage,” he teased Sophia, who was mad.

“He loves me! If you touch him, I’ll kill you!”

“Oh, that’s terrifying…”

“You, traitor, shut up!”

Jaguar’s smile faded, and his face went blank as he stared at Sophia, who was snickering, but their master spoke because of the tension between him and Sophia.

“That’s enough! I sent you here not to fight! Damn!” yelled the old man as he slammed the table before walking away, and Solen followed.

Jaguar stood up to leave, but Sophia pursued him.

“Wait! Don’t touch him! Take back what you said to master!”

“What the hell, Jaguar! F-ck you!”

He ignored her but kept following him.

“I’m going to kill you, asshole!”

“Wait a minute!—”

Sophia came to a halt, her eyes widening as Jaguar choked her. She slapped his hand to free herself, but the young man's grip on her only tightened.

“I’m warning you, Sophia. Don’t mess with me. I’m worse than your fucking master. One wrong move, and you’re dead,” Jaguar warned, pushing Sophia away. She coughed as she struggled to breathe.

Jaguar was about to get into his car when he remembered something.

“Is Dominic Stone already aware Tara isn't his daughter?”

Sophia’s eyes widened as she noticed him, grinning at her, but he quickly left their quarters. Sophia looked at Jaguar’s car.

“You look like a fool.”

She cocked her brow at Ander. “You’re another traitor; you’re all traitors, and Master will find out!” she snarled.

Ander grinned and moved closer to Sophia, then grabbed her shoulder firmly, making her wince.

“I also want to warn you: if you try to harm Erin Knight, I’ll kill you,” Ander whispered. He left Sophia with a firm grip on her shoulder.

Sophia clenched her fists and stomped in frustration, knowing that regardless of what she did, she would not win over her companions.

“Arrrrrgghh!!! You all are a scumbags!”