All Hell Breaks Loose

All Hell Breaks Loose
Mathew stiffened at William’s question. Olivia’s mouth opened, then closed. For a long moment, neither said a word.

“I—of course, we care,” Olivia finally said, her voice brittle. “We were just… shocked by the situation.”

“Yes,” Mathew added hastily, clearing his throat. “Your grandmother’s health is… of course, a concern. But this entire drama—how were we supposed to respond?”

William took a step closer, his voice low, sharp. “By checking on the woman who built this house brick by brick. The one who stood by you both when no one else did. Instead of screaming about contracts and curses, you should’ve asked if she was still breathing.”

Olivia looked away, shame flickering across her features.

Mathew tried to regain ground. “Don’t twist our intentions, William. This family matters to us—”

“Then act like it,” William snapped.

The room fell into awkward silence again.

Skylar placed a gentle hand on his arm. “William, don’t,” she said softly. “It’s not worth it.”

He looked at her, pain and pride battling in his eyes. “You are.”

The silence after William’s outburst hung heavy like a storm waiting to break. Olivia wrung her dress between trembling fingers, avoiding her son’s eyes. Mathew opened his mouth to speak, then thought better of it.

William’s voice cut through like a knife. “If you’re done justifying your silence, let me give you the update you didn’t bother asking for—grandma is stable. She needs rest. She’ll speak to the family when she’s ready.”

He turned sharply, his eyes landing on Zack and Evelyn, seated far too comfortably on the family couch. “And you two,” he added, coldly formal, “I think it’s time you left. There’s no need for a crowd—and frankly, there’s no place for outsiders in our family’s affairs.”

Zack’s smirk flickered. Evelyn raised a perfectly arched brow, still lounging with the confidence of someone who thought they owned the room.

But it was Eva who sprang up like a lit fuse. “Outsiders?” she barked, face flushed with fury. “If anyone’s an outsider here, it’s her!” She pointed straight at Skylar, who stood with quiet dignity. “A girl who walked into this house through a contract, not love! Who’s dividing this family one smug smile at a time!”

Skylar flinched inwardly but stood her ground.

William’s jaw clenched. “Enough, Eva.”

But she flared. “No, it’s not enough! You’re blind, William! That girl is poisoning Grandma’s mind—turning you against your own blood!”

He stepped forward. “Don’t twist this. You barged into my marriage, my home, acting like you own it.”

Eva scoffed. “Marriage? It’s a contract, William! A joke. You dragged her here for Grandma, and now you want to act like it’s real?”

“Careful,” he warned, voice low.

“Oh, please,” she spat. “You think just because you're the eldest, no one else matters? You even shut me out when Grandma was in the hospital!”

“She is a daughter-in-law,” William said sharply. “And the only one who’s never schemed like the rest of you.”

Zack chuckled. “Yeah, mate. She’s got you dancing. We’re just enjoying the circus.”

Evelyn watched the drama—her eyes sparkled with glee as if this chaos was a performance she had paid to see.

William snapped, “Shut up, Zack.”

Eva’s voice cracked. “So that’s it? You’re choosing her over your sister?”

“You made that choice,” he bit back. “When you sided with the people who humiliated her—and disrespected Grandma.”

“I was protecting the family!” she screamed.

“No. You were protecting your pride. You hate that your plan failed. That I didn’t marry your perfect choice.”

Eva’s rage burned. “You’ve changed. You’re weak. Obsessed with a girl whom you used to hate.

His fist clenched. “Don’t you dare talk about her like that.”

“I will!” she snapped. “I’ve had to stand in the shadows while she plays queen!”

William’s eyes darkened. “All I see is a bitter woman watching her lies fall apart.”

Olivia tried softly, “William—”

He cut her off. “Not this time.”

“William,” Skylar whispered, gently touching his arm, “please, don’t. End this here”

Mathew stepped in, his tone cold. “Eva’s right. She came in quietly, and now this house is in ruins. She’s tearing us apart.”

Olivia added bitterly, “She looks innocent, but she’s poison. Since she arrived—fights, tension, and now mom in the sick. Open your eyes, William.”

Skylar looked at them all—each face more hostile than the last—and slowly walked forward.

“I don’t need to defend myself,” Skylar said, her voice calm but steady. “Believe what you want. Insult me if that brings you peace. But I know I’ve done nothing wrong—and grandma knows it too. That’s all that matters.”

She turned, eyes locking with Evelyn and Zack. The smugness in their expressions faltered just a touch.

“But let me remind you,” Skylar continued, voice suddenly sharp, “even on paper, even if just for a few years—I am Mrs. William Scott. The young lady of the Scott family. This is my house —and you two?” Her gaze narrowed. “You’re nothing. Not by blood, not by name. So I suggest you watch your actions—because I have every right to throw you out of this mansion.”

The room gasped. Zack looked like he’d been slapped. Eva’s eyes blazed.

“How dare you!” Eva hissed, marching up to Skylar. “You talk about my fiancé like he’s dirt?! You think you can just waltz in and act like queen? You ruined my engagement!”

Before Skylar could respond, the heavy double doors creaked open.

Madam Scott stood tall at the threshold.

Even in her frailty, she exuded authority.

“What’s this?” Grandma said sharply. “A fish market in my home? Screaming and pointing fingers while I rest? Shame on all of you.”

Eva turned to her like a wounded daughter. “Grandma! You should’ve seen how Skylar insulted Zack. That girl has no manners! She talks like she owns this family!”

“And doesn’t she?” Grandma shot back. “She is this family. She’s my granddaughter-in-law. And if your ‘finance’ wants respect, he better learn to give it first.”

Eva’s face turned red with humiliation. But she wasn’t done. “You can’t ignore the truth, grandma! This marriage is fake. A contract marriage! They fooled all of us!”

Grandma's eyes narrowed. “And what proof do you have, dear? Because I don’t trust empty mouths anymore.”

Evelyn and Zack exchanged knowing looks. Evelyn smirked, whispering, “Told you she’d ask.”

With a flourish, Eva pulled out a crisp envelope from her handbag. “This,” she declared, “was in William’s office. I had every right to access it as Miss Scott. No one stopped me.”

"What's that?" Mathew snatched it.

It was the marriage contract.

Gasps filled the room. William and grandma's eyes met—both silently cursing each other for not being careful.

Now the vultures circled.

Zack folded his arms, triumphant. Evelyn finally stood, her silence broken only by her smug smile.

“You thought you could fool everyone, Skylar?” Eva spat. “You’re not a wife. You’re a signed, stamped business transaction!”

"Shameless...."

The paper burned in everyone’s eyes, a weapon that flipped the power dynamic instantly.

But Skylar didn’t cower.

“Yes,” she said, lifting her chin, “I signed the contract.”

Everyone stared.

“But—” she continued, “I never hid that from myself. I never denied it.”

Before she could say more, William stepped forward, eyes blazing. “She didn’t want to sign it.”

Stunned silence.

“I forced her,” William said loudly, clearly. “This was my doing. She wanted nothing to do with it. But I—” his voice cracked, “—I was selfish. I made her do it..”

Shock rippled across the room.

“You think I’m ashamed?” William laughed bitterly. “I’m not. I’ll do it again. Because when you love someone—you fight, you beg, you manipulate, you do anything just to keep them close. I’ve been pursuing her from day one, and I won’t stop now.”

Zack snapped, “This is shameful! A man can do what he wants, but a woman entering a house on a contract? Disgrace! My family won’t accept this—never!”

“Then don’t,” William said coldly. “If this alliance bothers you so much, break it. Walk away. Because let me make one thing very clear—I have no intention of letting Skylar go. Not now, not after two years, not ever.”

Evelyn’s smile vanished. Zack froze. This wasn’t how they planned it.

Zack turned to Eva dramatically, “If this is how Scotts are, maybe we should call off the engagement. Just say the word.”

Eva’s eyes blazed as she turned on Skylar. “This is all your fault!” she snapped. “You walked in and turned William against us! You ruined everything—my engagement, my place in this family!”

She stepped closer, rage boiling over. “Don’t act innocent. You’re the reason this house is breaking apart!”

She raised her hand to slap Skylar.

Skylar caught Eva’s hand mid-air, eyes unwavering.
“Blame your fiancé, not me,” she said coldly. “He’s the one who wanted out. I stayed silent.”

Grandma's voice  thundered. “Why is every finger pointed at Skylar? What has she done—loved silently? Endured quietly? William forced the marriage, William broke the engagement, William is the one fighting to win her back—yet she’s the villain? Just because she’s a woman?”

Everyone fell quite.

She looked straight at Zack. “You want my answer? Skylar is my granddaughter-in-law—and always will be. I can disown my own grandson, but not her. If your family has a problem, I won’t let my granddaughter marry into it.”

She reached out, taking Skylar’s hand proudly in hers.

“Come, dear,” she said. “You’ve stood enough trials. Now it’s time we stand with you.”

William followed them out, his eyes never leaving Skylar’s face—full of pride, guilt, and an unspoken promise.