CHAPTER TWO

SCARLETT

Stella.

My world shattered in that instant.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Jason's voice sliced through the air as he stumbled back, hurriedly zipping up his trousers. His chest was still bare, the flush of guilt and embarrassment painting his skin.

I stood frozen, the words stuck in my throat. My heart thudded painfully, threatening to burst out of my chest. I wanted to scream, to cry, to demand answers—but I couldn't move.

Stella zipped up her skirt with a smug, leisurely grace, adjusting her blouse like she hadn't just been caught with someone else's boyfriend. As she passed me, she paused, her lips curling into a cruel smile.

"Foolish girl," she sneered, her voice dripping with condescension. "Do you really think he loves you? Have you forgotten who you are? You're nothing but a maid." She leaned in closer, her perfume suffocating. "Get that into your thick head and stop living in your little fairy tale."

I stared at her. I had nothing to say. I never had anything to say to her. 

Stella knew about my relationship with him. She's seen me come in a few times to drop things for him or go home with him. She must have thought I was stupid. She knew the kind of person he is.

And she might have done this to prove to me that I am a nobody. To remind me of my place, to let me know that I will be nothing but a maid who works for her boss.

But my anger isn't towards her. She owes me no loyalty. The person who has wronged me is him.

Then, as if I were nothing but furniture, she air-kissed Jason's cheek and strutted out, heels clicking confidently against the floor.

"It's not what you think," Jason blurted, stepping toward me with desperation etched across his face. "She tricked me. I swear—I don't even know how this happened. It was the first time. The only time."

I blinked, disbelief clouding my vision. "The first time?" My voice cracked. "So what—you're just casually admitting you slept with your secretary, but it's supposed to be okay because it's the first?"

"Don't you believe me?" he said, frantically rearranging the papers on his desk—the same desk he'd pinned her down on.

A wave of nausea rolled through me. The sight of that desk made my stomach churn violently. I clamped a hand over my mouth and bolted to the bathroom.

Bent over the sink, I retched until my body had nothing left to give. My reflection in the mirror looked hollow, broken. My hair was messy, my eyes red-rimmed and wild. I hadn't even checked my appearance before leaving the house—I'd been too worried about Jason.

When did it all go wrong? I wondered bitterly. Was it the day I became an orphan? Or was it the day I fell in love with him?

Were people like me—maids, nobodies—not allowed the luxury of love?

I wiped my face, smoothed my hair, and forced myself to breathe. There was something bigger at stake now. The baby.

I had to tell him.

Jason was still waiting when I emerged, his face twisted with worry. "Are you okay?" he asked, reaching out to touch me.

I flinched, stepping back. He wasn't the man I had fallen for anymore.

If I were honest, I'd seen the red flags but ignored them, blinded by love. Like when he convinced me not to leave with that distant relative who'd offered me a better life. He said he couldn't live without me. I'd believed him. I stayed for him.

"Do you love her?" I asked quietly, my voice trembling.

"What?" He looked genuinely shocked. "No, of course not. You know it's you I love."

Once, those words would've meant everything. Now, they felt hollow.

"Then why did you do it?" My voice cracked. "Am I not enough for you?"

"Don't say that, Scarr." He shook his head, guilt shadowing his features. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again. But why did you even come here tonight? You could've just waited for me at home."

I wiped a tear from my cheek, swallowing my pain. "I had something to tell you."

He frowned, sensing my unease. "What is it?"

I patted my waist, heart racing when I realized the envelope was gone. The report. I must have left it on my bed in my rush to leave.

Panic bubbled in my chest. Please, God, let no one find it.

Jason's voice broke through my thoughts. "What is it, Scarlett?"

"I'm pregnant," I blurted out before I could stop myself.

A beat passed. His expression shifted, and then a wide smile broke across his face.

"You are?" he asked, practically beaming.

He pulled me into a quick hug, lifting me off my feet. "You've made me so happy today. This is the best news."

"You're happy?" I asked, stunned by his reaction.

"Of course! Who wouldn't be? We're going to be parents."

A small, tentative smile formed on my lips. Maybe today had been a mistake. Maybe Stella was wrong.

Jason cupped my face gently. "Go home first, okay? I don't want anyone seeing us together before we break the news to my family.

I nodded, my heart lighter. Maybe we could fix this. Maybe things weren't as broken as they seemed.

On the way back, I stopped by the pharmacy, making sure to return with bandages for my fake injury. I'd decided to forgive Jason. He didn't mean it. We'd tell his family tomorrow and start fresh.

Hope bloomed in my chest as I walked back to the house.

But it shattered the moment I saw Martha standing in front of the servants' quarters, a cruel smile stretched across her face as she hurled my belongings onto the dirt.

"You're done here," she announced gleefully. "Pack your pathetic little dreams and get out."