Chapter 5

SCARLETT's POV

Her eyes widened because of my question. “H-huh?” she stammered. “W-what, should I be afraid of? What should they know?” asked Sophia. I frowned, as if she couldn't understand what I was saying.

Did she forget, or is she unable to confess the sin she committed against me? I just shook my head because Sophia was unable to give me a reasonable answer.

“I don't feel like talking to you anymore, Sophia; just tell me what you want to tell me,” I said as I took my towel. “You seem so to be unaware of the sin you have committed,” I added. Her eyes widened once again.

“I don't know what you're talking about! You've been gone for five years, you don't know what it's like—” she was about to say when I interrupted her. I don't have time to hear it out.

She acted like she just wanted to make me feel like she had my husband earlier at dinner. She's so pathetic.

“You have nothing to fear if I return here because you are not the reason I returned,” I sighed. “I won't bother you as long as you don't bother my children,” I said as I walked to the door and opened it. “You can leave if you need nothing,” I said. I turned away from her and went into the bathroom. I just heard her walk out of my room.

Before continuing the shower, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. As the cold water continued to pour over me, I just leaned against the wall. It's exhausting to be kind because they abuse so much, but in our situation, I'm not desperate enough to destroy the family. I'll just leave them alone.

I am contented as long as I am with my children. They are my only source of strength in life, and we will be enough even if Dominic is no longer in our lives. We've done it before with just the three of us, so I know we can do it now.

I just smiled and stared at my children. I turned off the light and sat down beside them. Our lives will only begin here because I don't know what other trials await me now that I've returned home.

***

Because I had been out of work for a long time, I organized my business documents the next day. Claire and I will also move to Manila to restart our businesses; because my business is in the province, I have many employees who can take care of it.

Claire also said she was ready to buy land, so I could continue the business I started. I winced because Claire seemed to know I was returning to Manila and had prepared everything. Maybe she just wants me to come back here. TSK.

I just shook my head and dressed because I needed to help Claire as well, but I was interrupted when my phone rang.

“Hello,” I said on the other line, my brow furrowed because of the noise. When I realized who had called, I sighed and looked at the caller.

“What's that noise, Claire?” I asked.

She yelled. “Scarlett! I'm here at our new bar! The sound system is being checked.” I shut my eyes because her voice was getting louder. “When are you coming here? I'm going to meet our new employees!”

I winced. “Can you please calm down? Your voice is so loud!” I complained. I heard her laugh, but then there was silence from where she was.

“Sorry! Hahaha! Your office is completely fine. I made it even better because you might complain to the person who made it.” Claire exclaimed.

F-ck. Her voice was getting louder. I just shook my head and hung up because if she screamed, we wouldn't understand each other. It's a good thing the people she calls can tolerate her voice. TSK.

I packed my stuff to leave because I still wanted to say goodbye to my children. And Mom took them while I was sleeping. As I was leaving my room, I heard a scream from the kitchen and ran.

I was taken aback to see Carrie crying while her twin comforted her. I'm not certain how I'll react to what I see. We lived in the province for five years, and I only saw her cry once.

“What's going on?” I asked, and my children turned around and ran towards me.

“Mommy!” Carrie exclaimed as she embraced me. It's surprising because she rarely cries.

I asked. “What happened?” she sobbed as she pointed to her arm, and my eyes widened as I noticed her arm was becoming bruised. “What happened here?” I asked again as I stroked her arm.

She didn't respond because she was still crying, so I asked Agustin what had happened to his sister's arm.

“That witch!” said Agustin, pointing at someone. “She's hurting my sister!” he exclaimed, and I turned to face her.

When I noticed Sophia with a child the same age as my children, I was taken aback. So, that's her child with Dominic. I just returned my gaze to Carrie, who was still crying, and sighed before picking her up.

“Did you hurt my daughter?” I asked Sophia, who was glaring at me. She has no right to inflict harm on one of my children.

I noticed Carrie's arm was already bruised, so I approached Sophia and held her arm, which surprised her. Nobody will ever harm my children because I can fight back!

“Why did you hurt my daughter?” I asked, tightening my grip on Sophia's arm as I noticed the bruise on Carrie's arm.

I didn't hit or yell at my children because I didn't raise them to be rebellious. And I always tell them it's wrong to hurt others, so I'm not sure what I can do if Sophia hurts my daughter.

“Let go of me, Scarlett!” yelled Sophia, struggling in my grip. I didn't let go of her arm, instead tightening my grip on it.

“You don't have the right to hurt my child!” I yelled. My tears fell, but I stopped them because I would rather not cry in front of her. “Do you get it? No one can hurt my children!” My nails dug into her skin, making her wince even more.

“How dare you!” she yelled, pointing at my kids. “They harmed my daughter!” exclaimed Sophia. I froze and clenched my fist. Because Carrie could never hurt someone else. “I saw her pushing Tara!” she exclaimed. Carrie shook her head as I looked at her.

“No, mommy, she's lying!” Carrie screamed, so I came over to comfort her. “Tara went first; all I wanted to do was eat, but she forbade me because she said I didn't belong to this family!” she explained. I came to a halt and clenched my fists.

“Isn't it true, mommy? She's not a Knight!” Tara yelled. I raised my brows, but I'm not certain how a child could say those words.

Tara is Sophia's daughter. I can't deny that. I also don't want her to become involved in my issues with her parents, but if Sophia is raising her child in this manner… And I will never allow it.

I took a deep breath and picked up Carrie, who hugged me. “I raised my children well, so I know they won't hurt someone for no reason,” I said, and my fists shook, and my tears fell again.

“She hurt my daughter!” she yelled. “They are so rude, they have no respect, just like you.” I abruptly raised my hand to slap her in the face, but I was stopped, so I lowered my hand.

Carrie hugged me even tighter after I rubbed her back. I turned back to face Sophia, and I laughed at what she said. In her works, she can now be a writer.

I simply shook my head. “Someone with no manners like me? Did you hear yourself, Sophia?” I smirked. “Which of us has no manners?” I asked. I smirked and looked at her daughter, who had inherited her attitude. “Looks like you didn't properly raise your daughter, which is why she's rude,” I said. “Like mother, like daughter,” I said, just as she was about to slap me.

“Don't call our daughter rude!” she yelled, but I just grinned at him.

“Don't hurt one of my children because you have no right!” I screamed, fists clenched.

I want to hurt her, but I'm unable to do so because of my children. Seeing adults fight in front of children is not a good example. But I can't help but feel enraged when I hear my child crying. Any mother will not let their children be harmed.

“M-mom, please stop it…” Carrie stopped me, and when I saw her covering her ears, I hugged her. Carrie doesn't want to hear a fight because I never taught them to fight and always told them having an enemy was bad.

“I-I'm sorry,” I said as I kissed her on the cheek. I simply hugged her because she was trembling.

When Mom came and caught us, we remained silent. When she realized what was going on, she frowned. “What's going on?” she asked, looking at us.

When I noticed Sophia crying as if we were to blame, I sighed.

“M-mom, they harmed my daughter,” Sophia sobbed. I was about to laugh and shake my head because she had changed so much. She is no longer my sister, who used to be by my side.

“Yes, grandma! They hurt me.” said Tara. I winced because they appear to be the same. She’s really her daughter, huh?

Carrie's hug tightened around me as she became even more hurt, especially since no one believed what she had to say. I simply smiled at Carrie. “Even if they don't believe in you, mommy and your brother do,” I whispered. She simply smiled and nodded.

Mom looked at us, but when she saw the bruise on Carrie's arm, her eyes widened. “Oh, my goodness! Are you okay?” asked mom. My daughter looked at her grandmother, who simply smiled.

“Yes, I'm fine,” said Carrie. And she leaned back against my shoulder once again. I checked my watch because I was worried I'd be late for the bar, but I texted Claire that she'd take care of the bar first because I couldn't leave Carrie alone.

“Let's treat it,” mom said to my daughter, who just smiled back, and I sighed.

“I'll take care of her bruises, mom,” I said as I kissed her on the cheek. I took August's hand and led him away, but not until I faced Sophia.

“I warned you last night not to mess up my life, but you didn't listen,” I said, glaring at her. “Another mess, Sophia. They'll know the truth and what you're hiding. Don't try me,” I said as we prepared to leave when I remembered something. “Teach your daughter good manners, so she doesn't become a traitor like you,” I smirked as her eyes widened, and she paled.

“What's going on with Scarlett and Sophia?” asked mom. I smirked as I looked at Sophia.

“Why don't you ask her, mom? She knows the answer, right, sister?” I just smiled at Sophia, and we left the kitchen, but I saw Dominic, and we're looking at each other, but I avoid him.

We were about to go upstairs to treat Carrie's wound when I noticed Erin standing there waiting for me.

“Scarlett,” he grinned, noticing my children with me. I only smiled at him, but he approached me to take Carrie.

“Shall we go out?” he suggested. Carrie smiled at him, as if she was delighted. “Would you like to go shopping, baby girl?” he asked Carrie, who nodded.

“Really, uncle? Can I have some toys?” asked Carrie, her eyes twinkling.

Erin laughed, causing Carrie's hair to become tangled. “Sure! I'll buy the entire mall for you!” said Erin with my children, before turning to Agustin, who was smiling at him.

“Let's go, uncle buddy. Books for me, please?” my son said. And when they both looked at me, I raised an eyebrow.

“Mom, please?” My two children had puppy eyes, so I just sighed and nodded at them, and they screamed, and I could see the joy in their eyes.

I can't help but feel sad because I know this is the first time they'll be able to go shopping. For five years, they were only inside and at the beach; they never left the city for fear of being recognized, so they just stayed inside the house.

But now I'll let them be happy because it makes me happy to see them happy. So, even if something is missing in their lives, it is not a problem for their happiness. I just smiled as I followed the three of them as they talked happily about their lives in the province where we had spent five years.

I smiled as I looked at my phone and saw that Claire agreed. And I will begin fixing everything tomorrow. I put my phone in my pocket, then took my juice and drank it before returning my attention to my children.

“Scarlett…”

I was stunned because Erin's voice sounded as if he was about to say something about what had happened to me. He appears to have another reason for wanting us to go to the mall.

“Why did you leave without saying goodbye? Why did you go missing for almost six years?” Asked Erin. I just smiled because I knew he was going to ask that.

I faced him, but I didn't know what to say because I wasn't prepared. Not only that, but I'm not ready to reveal the secret I've been keeping. The past dark secret.