Chapter Twelve

Scarlett had never been one to care about public opinion. Her life had always been hers to live, regardless of the whispers or judgments of others. But ever since her relationship with Elias became public, things had begun to shift.

Everywhere she went, there were eyes on her. People in cafés, on the street, and even at the grocery store would glance at her, sometimes with envy, sometimes with intrigue. It had been both flattering and overwhelming.

But it wasn't just the public attention that had started to wear on Scarlett. It was the subtle tension she could feel in Elias' world. The text messages that came in late at night, the phone calls from people she didn't know, and the occasional late-night meeting with his colleagues. Elias had assured her that it was all part of his work, part of the price for being a public figure, but Scarlett couldn't help but feel like there was something more something beneath the surface.

It wasn't until she met the woman who would challenge everything she thought she knew about her relationship with Elias that she understood the true cost of being with him.

It happened one night at a charity gala that Elias had invited her to. The venue was lavish, with crystal chandeliers and expensive wine flowing freely. The who's who of society filled the room, and Scarlett felt slightly out of place in her elegant dress, a simple emerald gown that Elias had insisted she wear. She had expected a night of business deals and polite conversation, but what she didn't expect was the sudden appearance of a woman who made her stomach drop.

Her name was Chloe.

Chloe was tall, with platinum blonde hair that cascaded down her back in perfect waves. She wore a red dress that hugged her body in all the right places. And when she entered the room, the entire atmosphere seemed to shift. People turned their heads to greet her, and when she spotted Elias across the room, her eyes locked onto him with an intensity that Scarlett immediately recognized.

Chloe was beautiful there was no denying that. But Scarlett wasn't concerned about her looks. What unsettled her was the way Elias' demeanor changed when he saw her. His warm smile, the one he reserved only for her, faltered for a brief moment before he masked it with his usual charm.

"Excuse me," he said softly, squeezing Scarlett's hand before walking toward Chloe.

Scarlett stood there, frozen in place, watching as Chloe wrapped her arms around Elias in a hug that felt too intimate, too familiar. Scarlett's heart clenched in her chest, a wave of jealousy she hadn't expected sweeping over her.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but the whispering voices around her only heightened her insecurity. It wasn't long before she overheard someone murmur, "Isn't that Elias' ex-girlfriend?"

Scarlett's mind raced. Ex-girlfriend? The woman who had practically thrown herself at him was Elias' ex? The realization hit her like a freight train, and for the first time, she felt the weight of their public relationship.

Elias returned to her side shortly after, his face slightly strained, but trying to smile. "Scarlett, this is Chloe. We've known each other for a long time."

Scarlett forced a smile, her stomach twisting into knots. "It's nice to meet you," she said, her voice betraying none of the storm brewing inside her.

Chloe's lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "The pleasure is mine, Scarlett," she said, her tone dripping with something Scarlett couldn't quite place sarcasm, perhaps? But there was no mistaking the look of possessiveness in her eyes when she glanced at Elias.

"I'll let you two catch up," Scarlett said, excusing herself with a tight smile. As she walked away, she could feel Chloe's eyes burning into her back. The hairs on her neck stood up as she made her way toward the bar.

But as she stood there, trying to collect herself, she overheard a conversation between two women standing nearby.

"Chloe's still in love with Elias," one of them whispered. "She's been trying to get him back ever since they broke up. And now she's here, trying to play nice with his new girlfriend."

Scarlett's heart sank. Was it possible that Chloe still had feelings for Elias? The jealousy she had felt earlier grew into something darker, a gnawing insecurity that she couldn't shake.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Scarlett felt like an outsider, a mere spectator to the strange dance between Elias and Chloe. No matter how much she tried to focus on Elias, her mind kept drifting back to Chloe, and the way she seemed to never leave Elias' side for too long. Chloe's laughter was louder, her touch lingered a little too long, and every time Elias smiled at her, Scarlett's heart skipped in fear.

By the time the event ended and they were back at Elias' penthouse, Scarlett couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Why is she still around, Elias?" she asked, her voice more fragile than she intended. "You've been so distant ever since she showed up tonight."

Elias turned to her, his expression somber. "Scarlett, you have to understand. Chloe and I go way back. We've been through a lot together."

"I get it," Scarlett snapped, her eyes brimming with frustration. "But that doesn't mean you have to be so... so close to her. I'm your girlfriend, Elias. Not her."

Elias sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not doing anything wrong, Scarlett. You're the one I want. But Chloe's not an easy person to push away. She doesn't take rejection well."

Scarlett crossed her arms, her heart pounding in her chest. "So, what? You're just going to let her hang around and make me feel like I'm not enough?"

"No," Elias said quickly, his voice softening. "That's not what I'm saying. You are enough, Scarlett. More than enough."

But the doubt lingered in Scarlett's mind. How much longer would she be able to handle the pressure? Chloe wasn't going to give up easily, and neither was Scarlett. The battle for Elias' heart was just beginning.