CHAPTER 151

Scarlet's POV

Walking into the company felt surreal. Everything was back to normal.

The bustling employees, the familiar scent of coffee and paperwork, the air of authority my parents carried.

It was as if nothing had happened. As if Alex hadn't ripped this place away from them. But he gave it all back. I didn't know how to feel about that.

"You're here," Ryan said, spotting me first. His arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable.

"Yeah," I muttered, glancing around. "I just... wanted to see for myself."

Ryan nodded, then leaned back against the desk. "It's all back in our hands. Every last share. He signed it over this morning."

I swallowed hard.

"Good," I said, though the word felt heavy on my tongue.

"Which means," Ryan continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "you don't have to stay married to him anymore. You can divorce him."

My heart clenched.

Divorce.

That's what I wanted, right?

Freedom.

No more pain.

No more pretending that I didn't feel anything when he looked at me the way he did.

I should have agreed immediately.

But I hesitated.

"Scarlet," my mother's voice was firm as she walked up beside Ryan. "You know he never truly loved you. If he did, he wouldn't have hurt you the way he did."

I looked down, my fingers twisting together.

"I know," I whispered.

"Then why are you hesitating?" my father demanded, stepping forward. His eyes were filled with disappointment, frustration. "He destroyed our family. He accused us of things we never did. He made you suffer, Scarlet. How could you even consider staying with him?"

"I..." I trailed off, unable to find the words.

Because I didn't have an answer. Because I didn't understand it myself.

"He gave everything back," I said after a moment, my voice barely above a whisper.

"And? That doesn't erase what he did," my father snapped. "He only did it because he had no choice. Do you really think that means anything?"

I swallowed past the lump in my throat.

"She's pregnant," Sienna reminded them gently. She had been quiet up until now, standing by the window. "That changes things."

"No, it doesn't," my mother cut in sharply. "Pregnant or not, she doesn't owe him anything. A child doesn't fix what's broken."

Sienna's gaze softened as she turned to me.

"I'll support whatever you decide," she said. "But Scarlet... make sure it's what you really want. Not just what feels safe."

Safe.

That word made my chest tighten. Because I wasn't sure what felt safe anymore. Being with Alex didn't feel safe. But neither did walking away.

Ryan scoffed, shaking his head. "He's a liar, Scarlet. He didn't love you then, and he doesn't love you now."

I wanted to tell him he was wrong. That Alex did love me.

I saw it in his eyes, in the way he looked at me, in the way he begged me not to leave. But I didn't say anything.

Because even if he did love me now, it didn't change the past. And maybe my parents were right. Maybe love shouldn't be enough.

DIVORCE--The word played over and over in my mind.

It was the right choice.

The only choice.

So why did it feel like my heart was being ripped apart?

I took a deep breath, pushing away the doubt as I pulled into the driveway. I needed to do this. I needed to let him go.

When I stepped inside, I found Alex sitting in the living room, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers tangled in his hair. He looked up the moment I walked in, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach twist.

"You went to see them," he said.

I nodded.

"They told you to leave me, didn't they?"

I didn't answer right away.

"They're right," I finally said. "We should end this, Alex."

His entire body tensed. "No."

"Alex-"

"No!" He shot up from the couch so fast it startled me. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his hands clenched into fists. "You can't just say that and expect me to accept it, Scarlet."

"You expect me to stay after everything?" I snapped, my voice trembling. "After what you did? After how much you hurt me?"

His face twisted in pain, and for a moment, I thought he might yell back. But he didn't.

Instead, he staggered backward. A choked sound left his lips. Then he clutched his chest.

"Alex?" My stomach dropped.

His legs buckled. I ran to him just as he collapsed onto the floor.

"Alex!" I grabbed his shoulders, shaking him. His breathing was ragged, his forehead slick with sweat. "What's wrong?"

Pain contorted his face. "I-I don't know."

Panic surged through me.

"Hold on," I whispered, my fingers trembling as I pulled out my phone and dialed the doctor.

The next few minutes felt like an eternity.

Alex's body trembled, his grip on my wrist tightening. His face was pale, too pale, and I realized with horror that his heart was beating too slow.

"You're going to be okay," I whispered.

I didn't know if I was trying to convince him or myself.

The doctor finally arrived, rushing inside with his bag. He kneeled beside Alex, checking his pulse, his expression growing grim.

"What's happening to him?" I demanded.

The doctor hesitated. "It's the poison."

My heart stopped.

"What?"

"The poison in his heart," he said. "It's getting worse. There's still no cure."

No cure.

I felt like the ground had been pulled out from beneath me.

Alex's fingers weakly tugged at mine. I looked down, my chest squeezing so tight I could barely breathe.

He was dying.

Because of me.

"Scarlet," he rasped, his eyes fluttering.

Tears blurred my vision.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "You don't get to die, Alex. You don't get to leave me."

His lips curled slightly, the faintest hint of a smirk. "You were just about to leave me."

A sob tore from my throat. "I was stupid."

I hadn't even realized how much I loved him until now.

Until I was watching him slip away.

"I take it back," I choked out, gripping his shirt. "I don't want a divorce. I don't care about any of it. Just don't die, Alex. Please."

His eyelids fluttered shut.

"No!" I screamed, shaking him.

The doctor pressed a hand to my shoulder. "We need to get him to the hospital."

I didn't care what it took. I wasn't going to lose him.