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Chapter 4

Scarlett Wolff

My stomach sparked up with excitement as evening approached, anticipating Mr. Lucien's return from work. Staying the whole day without him felt like torture.

I jumped off the couch, and dashed toward the door the moment I heard his car drive inside.

My lips spread up in a joyous smile as I approached the parking lot in a bid to go welcome him. However, I was forced to stop abruptly when the door opened and a woman stepped out of the car.

My smile slowly faded, and my lips dropped apart. Only one question echoed in my head. Who is she?

But I soon got the answer I needed when she locked arms with Mr. Lucien as soon as he stepped out of the car.

I felt a sting in my heart, my breath hitched, and heat caught up in my lungs, as lumps build up in my throat.

"Scarlett... you are here?" He paused, his eyes boring into mine as he stopped right in front of me.

My eyes wandered to the woman, and her smile welcomed me when our eyes met.

"Wow! Is she your friend's daughter you told me was staying with you?" She raised her eyebrows, looking up at him briefly before returning her gaze to me.

"Hmm."

I scoffed silently when I heard him hum.

"Hi! It's nice to meet you. You are so beautiful." she extended her hand to me for a handshake, but I ignored her and looked at Mr. Lucien.

His face was hardened and blank. His body language screamed suspicions, that it gave me the feeling that there was something fishy.

I turned on my heels and walked back inside, holding my tears back.

"It feels so good to be here." I heard her voice as they walked inside.

I felt a twitch in my stomach, a burning sensation spreading through my body, causing my heart to pulsate. I couldn't bear the thought of him with any other woman aside from myself, let alone seeing him with another woman. Never in my entire life has it crossed my mind to harm anyone, but as I watched them lock arms at that moment, I would drill a dagger down her chest if I had one with me, not minding if I would go to jail for that.

I swallowed nothing, rubbing my sweaty palms together. I felt the heat in my face, spreading through my body. A pang in my chest that left my heart tightening and my breath hitching. My eyes stung as I fought back my tears while batting my eyelashes. It hurts so much.

"Uhm... sir, I made dinner," I shamelessly went to him as he headed to the staircase, and they paused. "I will go set the table,"

And with that, I walked back inside the dining room as I let my tears drop down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it with the back of my palm.

He walked away. Not saying a word to me. As if I suddenly disgusted him.

I set the table, resisting the urge to add a pinch of poison to the woman's food.

What are they doing upstairs?

I could barely concentrate on what I was doing, my neck straining to look at the staircase every passing second, hoping that they would return soon.

I felt a churn in my stomach, my blood boiling, spreading heat through my body as I watched them descending the staircase minutes later. They had changed into robes.

Wait... Did they shower together?

"This smells nice," the woman inhaled as she opened her plate of food after she sat down. Of course, I served her some food, though I didn't want to.

She looked at me, a smile spreading across her face as she said. "Thank you for the food,"

"Hmm,"

I looked at Lucien, but he ignored me. He didn't look at me. Not even for a second. It felt like he didn't notice my existence.

"Do you like the food?" She suddenly placed a hand on his arm, and I noticed how Lucien twitched, stylishly snatching his hand from her, and my face brightened up with a smile.

Her eyes flashed with disappointment .

There was only one thing he did that I was happy about. He didn't smile at her, just as he didn't to me either.

"So, how was work today?" I broke the silence, determined to get his attention.

"Work was fine." His reply was casual and brief.

"Did you---"

"Table manners, Scarlet." He lifted his eyes to gaze at me, and I swallowed nothing as waves of embarrassment washed through me.

"Oh..." I mouthed, lowering my gaze.

I suddenly felt awkward being here, so I stood up, then arranged my food on a tray before picking it up.

"Are you leaving?" She squinted her eyebrows as she raised her gaze to me, before Mr. Lucien noticed that I stood up.

"What's your business?" I fought back the urge to fire at her, giving a little smile.

"Are you alright, Scarlett? You don't look fine," Mr. Lucien finally spoke to me for the first time, causing me to scoff silently.

Is that even a question? Does it look like I'm fine?

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. Excuse me,"

"You have something on your face," I paused and looked back at the scene unfolding before my eyes as she reached for his face, getting whatever shit was on his face. Hesitation kicked in, and for a moment, I thought of going back to sit there, but kicked against it immediately.

I forced my heavy legs to move toward the staircase, heading to my room while holding the tray of food firmly in my hand, clenching my jaw tightly.

I tossed the tray carelessly on the centre table once I walked inside my room, sinking my fingers into my hair and pulling at it aggressively.

I paced restlessly in my room, deliberating on going back there.

About thirty minutes passed before my attention was drawn to the loose woman's laughter outside, and I found myself bolting toward the door, and pulling it slightly open, peeping outside.

She was holding his arm, while resting her head on it as they walked toward his room. And Lucien? His hands were tucked inside his pockets, his face was hard as he gazed into space.

"That bitch!" I cursed silently, clenching my jaw tightly.

You are not going to let her have her way with him, are you?

"Never!" I shook my head before dashing into the bathroom to have a quick shower. I changed into my nightie and threw my hair up in a rough ponytail. His favourite style, before leaving my room.

My heart pounded hard in my chest as I stood in front of his door nervously.

I pressed my ear hard against the door in a bid to get a sound from them, but the place was as silent as a graveyard.

"Why can't I hear anything?" I mumbled, as I adjusted before pressing my ear against the door again, but this time, the door flung open, causing me to lose my balance as I fell toward his room, but he held me in his strong arms just before I collided into the floor.

"What are you doing, Scarlett?" His charming eyes pierced into mine, staring right into my soul, as his deep voice echoed in my ear.

Fuck! I'm busted!