Chapter 4

When I returned, they were all surprised.

When mom saw me, she exclaimed, “Oh my gosh!” She covered her mouth as she looked at me with tears in her eyes.

“Oh, my dear! My daughter is back!” she cried as she approached and hugged me. I let go of the children's hands and embraced mom.

“Scarlett baby!” mommy screamed as she embraced me. I couldn't stop crying as I hugged her.

I miss her.

“Mommy,” I whispered. She just hugged me. I can sense her longing for me as well. Because she is my support when I am having a problem, and she always reminds me to be strong in life.

When dad approached me. “My princess,” I noticed mom backed away and turned away from me.

What happened to them, anyway? Did anything happen while I was away? Is this what I heard from Lydia?

“Daddy,” I hugged him as well. Dad's hug tightened around me, and I felt his tears fall on my shoulder.

I just saw daddy cry, although I know he was brave and strong. And I can sense my parents' love for me, that they miss me, but I don't deserve to be their daughter because of what I did. They are unaware that I have children with the man who has betrayed me.

“F-ck, Scarlett!”

“Oh, my! She's back!”

“Hello, cousin!”

I let go of daddy and smiled at them. My sister's wedding is tonight, so the Knight is complete.

Speaking of her…

While I looked at her, I noticed she had turned pale and tightened her grip on Dominic, as if I was about to take him away from her.

“Hi sister, I'm back,” I said. Her eyes widened, and she didn't know how to react.

Are you afraid of my return? How does it feel to be engaged to my husband? I just smirked and turned to face my children, who were all clinging to the hem of my dress and hiding behind me. My children bowed as I smiled at them.

“I know I've been gone for a long time, Mom and Dad, but I have a reason…” I took a deep breath and held my children's hands.

“Hmm…” I chuckled, and afraid of their reaction. “I have two children, which is why I left and stay away,” I explained. And I approached my two children, who seem quiet.

I looked at Dominic, who was dumbfounded, but I turned away and smiled at them. I got the impression that they were puzzled and silent because of news that I knew would shake their world. And I was gone for five years, and when I returned, I had two children. It's up to them what they think of me, as long as everything remains a secret.

“Mommy, they don't want us… I-I'm scared,” Carrie said, clutching my waist.

“Let's go, mom. I would rather not be here!” Agustin frowned at me.

Agustin's words caused Mom and Dad's eyes to widen. They do not know what to prioritize. What they do makes me laugh so hard.

“Come on, Mommy!” exclaimed Agustin, irritated. While trying to pull on the hem of my dress, I laughed at him and messed up his hair.

“No, Dominican Agustin, stay here and say hello to your grandparents,” I said. He simply snorted and approached my parents, who were still in surprise.

“Hello? I'm still hungry!” exclaimed Agustin. Mom's eyes widened as she picked up and hugged my son.

“Let go of me!” Agustin yelled because the last thing he wants is to be tightly hugged, except for me because the only thing he wants is my hug. I just shook my head because he inherited everything from his father.

“Dominican Agustin!”

He noticed my serious expression when he turned to face me. He knows I'll be upset, so he remained silent and simply bowed.

“Sorry, mom. Sorry, grandma,” Agustin apologized to his grandparent. Mom simply smiled at him and kissed his cheeks.

“Oh, I like it! Let's go.”

Mom smiled as she approached the table. She obviously adores my son. After, we came closer as I carried Carrie. I bowed to the chairperson when noticing him.

I'm afraid of the chairperson because it's very difficult to make him angry, but I understand if he does because I'm also guilty. Later, we eat quietly because I can still feel the tension, especially since I'm having to face Dominic and my sister.

Nobody said anything to us until the chairperson himself broke the silence.

“Scarlett, where have you been?” he asked. I stopped eating because I felt something was blocking my throat and swallowed. Is this what I'm afraid of? 

Damn. Scarlett, deal with it.

I swallowed and turned away from them all, noticing they were also curious about where I had been hiding for several years. “C-chairperson…” I bowed and fists clenched. You can't look him in the eyes because it's rude and disrespectful.

“It's great that you thought about returning,” the chairperson said. I still bowed, but what he said next took me surprised. “But you brought a bastard child! I didn't raise you that way! I didn't teach you to disobey me!”

Because of what I heard from the chairperson, my fear of him faded away. I bit my lower lip and noticed Sophia's smirk.

The conflict between me and the chairperson is starting.

Mommy put her hands over Agustin and Carrie's ears, so they wouldn't hear anything the chairperson said about them.

“Instead of caring for your responsibilities, but what?” he exclaimed. “You hid for years! Then you return with two children? What kind of woman are you?” he yelled. “Why don't you follow in your sister's footsteps? She found a man worthy of the Knights!” He glared at me, and I could feel his rage rising.

What he said stunned me, and I don't know why, but I laughed because it was the funniest joke I'd ever heard. “Wait, to follow her footstep?” I laughed as I wiped away my tears.

I took a deep breath and looked at the chairperson and Sophia, who were pale.

Is this what you're looking for, Sophia? To humiliate me in front of them? Well! I am not fucking dumb not to fight for myself and my children.

“Who will I follow next, chairperson?” I asked, pointing to Sophia. “To Sophia? For being a traitor?” I asked, staring at the chairperson.

My and Dominic's families were surprised because I was staring at the chairperson. Why? Did they now see me like this? I just grinned.

“Scarlett!” Dad exclaimed in surprise. I simply smiled and said nothing.

I looked at my cousins, who were amazed by my attitude; except for Rios, who gave me a thumbs up as if he agreed with what I was doing. I just winced and shook my head. When I heard Sophia speak, I just froze.

“Are you that disrespectful, Scarlett? This is my engagement celebration!” Sophia exclaimed, and I ignored her. “And what brings you here?” she asked. I came to a halt and wiped my lips.

“Do I no longer may return to this house?” I asked. Her eyes widened, and she bowed as the entire Knight looked at her.

“Scarlett!” yelled the chairperson, who had enough of my inappropriate behavior. “I didn't raise you to be rude!” he exclaimed. And I remained silent, as if he were in tears. I bowed and fists clenched.

Apart from my father, he is one person I admire and respect. But if he just calls my kids bastards, I will not agree.

“Chairperson.” I took a deep breath and returned my gaze to him. “I respect you because you're still my grandfather,” I said calmly, “but I hope you respect my children as well.” He looked at my children, but I noticed his expression change as he looked at them. Or am I mistaken?

He shifted his gaze away from my children and back to me. “Scarlett, who is the man who got you pregnant?” the chairperson asked, and I was stunned. “I'm going to kill him!” he declared. He ignored what I said because he was curious about the father of my children.

Claire poked me, but I ignored her. They don't even need to know who my children's father is.

I smirked and shook my head, laughing at the chairperson. “Chairperson…” He came to a halt and looked at me. I need to be strong for my kids.

I will fight against everyone, including my family, for my children.

“Will you believe me when I say who the father of my children is?” I asked the chairperson, grinning. My family was surprised, and their eyes widened.

We exchanged stares as the chairperson put down his glass of wine. It's as if they weren't expecting to see a different Scarlett when I returned. People can change.

Sophia turned pale when I said something. Do you know who I'm referring to, my dear sister?

When I heard one of my uncles shout, I blinked and lost my smirk. “Respect the chairperson, Scarlett!” yelled Uncle Alejandro Knight. I turned away from him.

“How dare you respond to me like that, Scarlett?” exclaimed the chairperson. 

“You are exactly what I expected!” he stated, trembling. “Because you know you're the only one who can take my place because of your grandmother's wishes!” he said also, shaking his head and pointing at me. I combed my hair and stood up because I couldn't take it anymore of what he was saying.

If he continues to make my children feel illegitimate, our conversation is meaningless.

I looked him in the eyes once again. “Chairperson, I repeat… I have a lot of respect for you because you are the people I look up to, but if my children are called bastards, I will fight everyone, including you,” I told him. I only have to be brave for my children because I will not let them be mistreated. It's better that they harm me rather than my children.

“You're going to replace me!” he exclaimed. I smirked at the chairperson. The discussion will not end. In addition, I have already lost my appetite.

I'm hurt, but I just need to show that I'm no longer a wimp. I'm also saddened to see Grandpa suffer because of what I did, but what can I do? If they are also willing to fight against me.

“I don't need your throne, Grandpa,” I made clear. “And I didn't return to replace you; I returned because I know I still have a responsibility here in this family,” I sighed. “Just give it to Sophia; after all, it's been her dream for a long time, right?” I looked at Sophia, but she avoided my gaze, so I smirked.

“I apologize, but I can't fulfill Grandma's wish, but I'm glad to be back here because I'm still part of this family,” I said, turning away from them and taking my children.

They call my name, but I don't look at them; I can stand on my own two feet and don't need their help. Is it now that I can live without them for a few years? That I can do everything.

As soon as I entered my room, I sat on the floor and covered my face with my hands to cry. It hurts to hear from Grandpa that I will choose a man in the same way Sophia did. If you only knew, chairperson, what we have in common with the man? She is engaged to the man I love. She takes him away from me, so my children must share their father's attention.

I was surprised when my children approached me and hugged me, so I bit my lip and hugged them back.

I know my sister, Sophia Vivian Knight. She can manipulate the surrounding people. But she doesn't know who I am, so I'll let her be happy with Dominic as long as she doesn't interfere with my life, because if she does... I'm going to ruin her happiness.

And, I'm glad to be back, but is it right to be back here? I also have the impression that I am no longer welcome here.

I smiled and kissed my children on the forehead after putting them to sleep because they were tired from our flight.

I felt my door open just as I was about to get up to take a bath.

“Why did you return?”

I came to a halt and turned to face the woman who is the reason my children do not have a father. I just grinned at her.

“Aren't you glad I'm back? You should be happy for me, right, sister?” I emphasized the word ‘sister,’ to catch her off guard even more.

I smirked as she glared at me. “No way! You should not return!” she yelled. “You're only going to ruin my relationship with Dominic, who loves me.” she exclaimed, terrified.

I froze for a moment, but I also took a deep breath despite being struck by what she said. I'm aware of that, but I didn't return to you.

“Why can't I come back? I didn't return for you, but for my family,” I explained. And I sneered as I looked at her. “And I'm a knight, so I may be here,” I said as I stood up and approached her. “Are you afraid, sister?”

She froze and turned pale. If I used to let her take my husband away from me, I'm not the type to ignore everything, but now… If she hurts one of my children, I will fight her the right way.

I simply raised my brows. “Are you worried they'll find out, Sophia?”