Chapter 2

Julian finally looked up at me.

He didn't seem to notice how pale I was as he casually ordered, "Scarlett, make something simple for everyone. And make Anne some soup. She needs it to recover."

A sharp pain pierced my chest, almost stealing my breath.

Without a word, I turned and walked into the kitchen.

Behind me came the sound of laughter and conversation from Julian and his men. In the Moretti estate, the home I was supposed to share with my husband, I suddenly felt like the only outsider.

I used to fight with them whenever they treated me this way.

I had screamed, argued, and desperately defended whatever dignity I had left, thinking that if I fought hard enough, they might finally respect me.

Instead, every outburst only gave them another reason to despise me.

Compared to me, Anne was always sweet, patient, and understanding. She never raised her voice. Never lost her temper.

At least, that was what everyone around Julian believed.

But I was done.

With these people.

With this marriage.

None of it was worth another ounce of my strength.

By the time I finished cooking and carried the food into the dining room, exhaustion had settled deep into my bones.

Anne immediately stood up.

"Scarlett, let me help."

I handed her the bowl of chicken soup.

The moment her fingers touched it, she suddenly pulled her hands away.

The bowl crashed to the marble floor.

Hot soup splashed across my bare calf, and porcelain shattered around my feet.

"Watch out!"

Julian moved instantly.

He pulled Anne behind him, shielding her with his body.

Not a single drop had touched her.

Meanwhile, a large patch of skin on my calf had already turned an angry red.

"Scarlett..."

Anne stared at me, her eyes immediately filling with tears.

"I know you don't like me, but you didn't have to drop the bowl on purpose."

Before I could speak, Julian's men were already glaring at me.

"What the hell are you doing, Scarlett?"

"You've been going after Anne for years. She's Julian's childhood friend. Why do you always have to make everything ugly?"

I looked at them coldly.

"She let go first."

The room fell silent for half a second.

Then Julian's voice cut through it.

"Enough."

He looked directly at me.

"Scarlett, apologize."

I stared at him.

His expression was cold, carrying the same authority he used when giving orders to the men beneath him.

"You've gone too far this time. Anne just got out of the hospital. You scared her."

It was the middle of summer, yet a chill spread through my entire body.

The burn on my calf was throbbing, but compared to the pain in my chest, it barely registered.

Once, Julian Moretti had been the man who made me feel safe.

Standing beside him had made me believe no one in this world could hurt me.

Now I finally understood.

He was the one hurting me most.

Something inside me snapped.

"Fine."

I laughed softly, even as tears gathered in my eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Julian froze.

Perhaps he had expected me to argue.

Perhaps he had expected another screaming match.

He reached toward me, but I stepped away before his hand could touch me.

"Dinner is ready, and I've apologized. Can I go upstairs and treat my burn now?"

I gestured toward the blistering skin on my calf.

Julian's eyes finally dropped to my injury.

I didn't wait for his response.

Leaving the broken porcelain and spilled soup behind, I turned and went upstairs.

Not long after I closed the bedroom door, voices erupted downstairs.

Then Anne's tearful voice reached me.

"I'm sorry. This is all my fault. Scarlett is angry because of me. I always ruin everything. I shouldn't keep causing trouble for you."

The front door opened.

Footsteps hurried after her.

Then the heavy doors of the Moretti estate slammed shut.

I assumed Julian had gone with them.

Instead, a few moments later, my bedroom door opened.

Julian walked in.

Before I could move away, he wrapped his arms around me from behind.

His large hand settled gently over my stomach.

"Scarlett, why can't you just let it go?"

His voice was unexpectedly soft now.

"Anne is still childish. You know what she's like. You're my wife. Can't you be a little more understanding?"

His palm moved slowly over the place where he still believed our child was growing.

"Besides, we have a baby now. Once I settle the Family's business, I'll make everything up to you. I'll give you the wedding you deserve."

He lowered his voice, almost coaxing me.

"Don't be angry anymore, all right?"

I stared down at the hand resting on my empty womb.

Then I pushed it away.

A cold laugh escaped me.

"So you do remember I'm pregnant?"