Chapter 9 - The Truth That Changes Everything

Rain poured heavily outside Scarlett's bedroom window as she sat alone on the chair near it. Everything felt the same as it had been for years. But then, a notification popped up an email that changed everything.

Sender: Grayson Hale

Subject: Truth.

Scarlett held her breath. Her hands trembled as she clicked the message and read the short sentence: "Ask Asher about Eleanor Hastings. And about who really framed your father for the corruption case thirteen years ago that made him disappear."

Her heart pounded. That name—Eleanor Hastings—had long faded from her memory. Scarlett had only heard it once, many years ago, when her life turned upside down. When her parents were made scapegoats in an embezzlement scandal involving the foundation they worked for.

Her family's reputation crumbled overnight. Her mother fell ill under the relentless pressure, while her father vanished. Eventually, Scarlett lost them both.

No evidence. No one brave enough to speak up. Everyone turned away, as if her parents had been guilty all along. Now, more than a decade later, the name resurfaced this time, alongside Asher's.

Scarlett rose from her seat, her body trembling with a mix of emotions she could no longer contain. She didn't care about her growing pregnancy or that she was supposed to be careful. All she needed now were answers.

"Asher!" she shouted, pushing open the door to her husband's study.

Asher, seated at his desk, startled and immediately stood up, eyes wide as he looked at her panting form. "Scarlett? What's wrong? You're out of breath are you okay?"

Scarlett brushed off Asher's hand as he reached for her arm. "Don't touch me. I'm here because I need answers."

Asher frowned. "Answers to what?"

Without replying, Scarlett held out her phone, showing him the open email. "Who is Eleanor Hastings? And what does she have to do with my father?"

Asher's face changed instantly. Confusion. Tension. Then silence. A sharp, cutting silence.

"I can't believe Grayson sent you this," he muttered, almost to himself.

"Don't change the subject," Scarlett snapped. "I'll ask again, who is she?"

There was a clear struggle in Asher's eyes. Secrets long buried were now clawing their way to the surface. And he knew that telling the truth might cost him Scarlett forever.

"My father," Asher finally said, voice low, as if confessing a sin. **"He was involved in a lot of dirty deals. One of them was the diversion of funds from the social foundation—the one your father worked for."

Scarlett froze.

"Back then, Eleanor Hastings was the corporate lawyer for my family's company. She and my father created a plan to protect the company's name, even if it meant destroying someone else's. Your father was the scapegoat. They forged documents, bribed the media, pressured the prosecution. Everyone who tried to speak the truth was silenced."

Scarlett covered her mouth, her eyes welling up. "You knew about this and never told me?"

"I found out after it was over," Asher whispered. "I was still in college overseas. When I came back, it was too late. The foundation was shut down. The evidence destroyed. And your father, gone."

Scarlett stepped back. "And you thought marrying me would fix everything?"

"No!" Asher quickly stepped forward. "At first, the marriage was for business. But that changed. I love you, Scarlett. I fell in love with you. Not out of guilt. You made me want to be a better man."

He hadn't meant to say it, but the fear of losing her had pushed the truth out of him. That fear, was love.

Scarlett shook her head, choking on her breath. "You should've told me from the beginning. I could've understood. But you hid it. Just like everyone else in my life."

Asher lowered his head, unable to meet her furious gaze. "I hate my father for this. I don't even know where he is now, whether he's alive or already dead like my mother," Scarlett murmured.

She stared at Asher for a long moment. She saw the truth in his eyes. The pain. The remorse. But none of that could change the fact that their love had been built on a foundation of lies. "I need time," she whispered, and turned away.

"Scarlett…" His voice broke. But he didn't stop her. When the door slammed shut, he immediately called his assistant and ordered them to follow and protect her.

Scarlett returned to her room, grabbing her phone and wallet. She couldn't stay in that house. Not now. But just as she reached the door, something stopped her a soft, tiny kick from her belly.

She froze. Her hand slowly moved to her stomach. For the first time, she felt the baby move inside her. Shock, wonder, and guilt crashed down all at once.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes glassy. "I'm sorry, sweetheart… Mommy forgot about you for a moment," she whispered, gently rubbing her belly.

That day, Scarlett locked herself in the room. She didn't eat anything. Panicked, Asher sent the maids to try to coax her into eating. He knew it wasn't just Scarlett who needed nutrition, so did their baby.

Over the next few days, Scarlett remained silent. Her mind was filled with thoughts of her missing father, her late mother, and the man now occupying her heart, Asher, whose family had caused all the pain.

Meanwhile, Asher chose to step back, giving Scarlett the space she needed. He wanted her to know that his feelings were real. He didn't marry her out of guilt or duty, but because now, he loved her more than anything.

That morning, Scarlett stood in front of the bathroom mirror. Her face was weary, her eyes swollen. But there was a new resolve there. She looked down and caressed her belly.

"Sweetheart… you're the only one keeping Mommy strong," she whispered."Please hold on for me. I need the strength to forgive your Daddy."

She knew she couldn't run from the truth. She had to face her past. She had to seek out the full story. And she had to look at Asher, not just as a husband by contract, but her real husband.

That day, Scarlett went to the law firm where Eleanor Hastings once worked. She didn't find much, but enough to learn that Eleanor now lived in London. Without hesitation, Scarlett booked a plane ticket. Before she left, she left a voice message for Asher.

"I don't hate you. But I can't forgive you yet either. I'm going to London. I need to find out the things I should've known a long time ago. If you truly love me, you'll understand, this is something I have to do alone."

That night, Asher listened to the message over and over. He didn't blame Scarlett. He blamed himself. But one thing he knew for sure: their relationship couldn't move forward without confronting the old wounds.

If Scarlett needed time and truth, he would wait.

And for the first time, Asher used his full power, not to save a company, but to protect the woman he loved. He ordered his most trusted team to watch over Scarlett in London. Because that was all he could do for now.

What Asher didn't know was that behind Scarlett's quest, a new threat was moving in the shadows.

Grayson—that man had never really stopped. And now, he saw the fracture in Scarlett and Asher's relationship as the perfect opening to strike.