(2
Anya’s message popped up on the screen.
“Chase, where are you? I don’t see you.”
“I’m back in the car. Too many fans; I don’t want to be noticed.”
“Let’s meet at the hotel.”
Chase sent her an OK emoji.
“It’s been Five years. I can’t wait to see you.”
Scarlett scoffed, continuing to purge her belongings.
Chase didn’t return too late. His usual cool detachment was softened by a hint of a smile, and here was a trace of something like amusement in his usually glacial eyes. He carried a large bouquet of red roses. His voice was low and resonant.“I’m home.”
Scarlett was curled up on the sofa, uploading photos of high–end items to Ebay. She had decided to give away all the money from the sale. She closed her laptop as he entered. He crossed the room, pressing the roses into her arms and kissing her.“Everything alright? Did you miss me?”
Scarlett remained silent, burying her nose in the roses.
Chase, with a magician’s flourish, produced a long, slim box from the roses. Those captivating eyes, usually full of a playful glint, were fixed intently on her.
Inside was the diamond necklace she’d talked about just days ago. It was worth over three hundred thousand dollars.
Seeing her stunned expression, he leaned down and kissed her cheek.“Too happy to speak? Let me put it on you!”
Her fingers traced the delicate chain.“Roses, necklace… I thought you were proposing. He paused, his gaze sharp.“I’ll have something better for the proposal.”
Scarlett let out a sarcastic laugh.“And how long do I have to wait?”
The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a chilling coldness in his deep–set eyes She turned away, taking off the necklace.
He caught her hand, kissing her and pushing her down onto the sofa. Her body tensed She twisted her head to avoid his lips, pressing against his hand.“I… I can’t. Chase’s voice was domineering and cold.“Don’t play games with me, your period just ended.” He didn’t allow her to say no to him.
Panic flared in Scarlett’s chest.
His phone rang.
She quickly shoved him.“You have a call.”
Frustrated, Chase pulled out his phone. Scarlett, beneath him, saw the caller ID clearly: Anya. He flipped the phone face down, glancing at her. Seeing that she stayed calm, he said, “I’m gonna take this.”
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He stood, adjusted his trousers, and headed up the stairs.
Menu
A short time later, he reappeared in a crisp, bespoke suit.“A friend’s in a bit of a jam. I need to help him out. Go get some rest.”
He didn’t notice the absence of the many small items that once filled their home.
Three days passed, and he never came back. Work stuff, he explained on the phone.
Scarlett remained outwardly calm. Yet, she couldn’t resist checking Anya’s Instagram. Every day, she had a new post.
Day one was a photo of two hands clinking wine glasses. The caption: Some bonds, like fine wine, only deepen with time. The other hand belonged to a man. Scarlett recognized the slender, elegant fingers, and the ring – a custom–made one, identical to hers. She removed her ring, a bitter smile playing on her lips.“I’ve worn it so long that I forgot to sell it.”
–
Day two was a picture of a sunset over the ocean. Caption: I’d love to grow old here. Scarlett recognized the two coconut trees, the ones she and Chase had planted on the beach at his seaside villa. They
the Chinese knots she’d made by herself.
were
adorned with
Day three was an airport photo, with Chase’s tall figure amidst the bustling crowd. Anya’s fans went wild, questioning if she was seeing someone. She replied uniformly: It’s just the old place has brought up a lot of memories.
Scarlett swallowed the bitter taste rising in her throat.
Methodically, she shipped the sold items, donating the money to a celebrity charity. The most valuable jewelry, unsaleable online, went to auction. She went to the university to withdraw from her graduate program. Then, she went to immigration to get her picture taken and fingerprints scanned. She deactivated rarely used social media and shopping accounts, saving only two for immediate use.
for immediate use. She would delete them before boarding her flight. her parents, cousins, It was her birthday. At midnight, the messages and calls started pouring in — her friends, classmates… But she didn’t get a word from Chase.
Scarlett’s eyes
fell upon a framed photo on the wall: she nestled in Chase’s arms, radiating blissful happiness, like a woman who had everything. Chase, however, had a cold, impassive expression on his handsome face.
She chuckled humorlessly, reaching for the chair to take it down.
The door opened. Chase walked in, his handsome face grim, his aura radiating a chilling intensity.
