Chapter 5 The Hunger Within Scarlett
Daniel looked up, his gaze like a blade.
"I don't have time for your games. Take it back."
"I'm serious."
He dropped the pen. The steel barrel hit the desk with a sharp crack that seemed to echo in Scarlett's chest.
"So the reason for the divorce is that I have bad breath and can't father children? You know slander carries consequences."
Her lashes trembled. "That's not from me. It's written clearly."
He turned the pages with deliberate slowness. His eyes stopped on the line she'd marked, and the air between them went colder.
"'No love. No sex. A marriage in name only.' Care to explain?"
"Just the truth."
He came around the desk, each step closing the space between them. She backed up until the hard edge pressed into her spine.
One hand braced on the desk beside her hip, the other blocking her escape. He leaned in, voice low and dangerous.
"Truth? Who was the man you clung to last night, begging him to stay?"
Her eyes burned. Last night had started in heat and ended in ruin.
She pushed at his chest. "Once every few years doesn't count. Even a ninety-year-old could beat your record."
His jaw tightened. Her words landed like a slap. He caught her wrist, forcing her back over the desk. Her hair spilled across the surface, her breath quick and shallow, her chest pressed against his.
"I didn't realize Mrs. Wilson had such... needs. Who's going to keep you satisfied after the divorce?"
She kicked at him, but his legs trapped hers. The contact froze her.
"You bastard!" Her face flamed.
He laughed without humor. "Isn't this what you wanted? Four years ago you schemed your way in — you can spend a lifetime paying for it."
Her voice sharpened. "That night, I don't know what happened."
"You drank the wine I gave you. Only you and I have access to that room. If it wasn't you, who was it?"
Her throat closed. He'd made up his mind long ago. Nothing she said would matter.
She saw again that morning — his fury, the words that had cut her open: "I didn't raise you so you could crawl into my bed." "I didn't raise you so you could crawl into my bed."
Her voice was small. "Fine. Call it regret."
He smiled coldly. "Then stay Mrs. Wilson. Everything you have comes from the Wilson family — the house, the jewelry, the card with no limit. Without me, could you survive?"
Her voice was barely a whisper. "So you never respected me."
He didn't hear her. He only saw the color drain from her face, the way she looked ready to break. Something in his chest twisted. He was about to speak when a knock came.
Scarlett shoved him away. "Watch me live well without you."
She yanked open the door — and froze. Alice stood there.
"Scarlett, why are you crying? Did Daniel yell at you? I'll talk to him."
Scarlett's humiliation deepened. Daniel's footsteps sounded behind her, steady and unhurried.
"I said I'd come to see you at the hospital later... You didn't have to come all this way." he said to Alice, his voice warm.
"I'm discharged. I came to tell you."
Scarlett turned to leave, but Daniel caught her wrist. "Make some watermelon juice."
Scarlett hated watermelon juice. He knew why. And yet he asked.
"Mr. Wilson, don't you have hands?"
She pulled free and walked out. Behind her, Alice's voice carried. "Daniel, Scarlett's sensitive. Go after her."
"Leave her."
Outside, Scarlett hugged herself and sank to a crouch on the sidewalk. Her vision blurred. She told herself, over and over: "It's fine. Show them."
Her phone rang. She wiped her eyes. "I'll be right there."
Daniel didn't know she hadn't taken a cent from the Wilson family since she was fourteen. Now there was the divorce, her studies, James's hospital bills. She needed every dollar. Leaving the Star Group meant she could finally take control of her time.
She ran for the bus stop.
Upstairs, Daniel stood at the window, tall and still, the city spread beneath him. There was a shadow of solitude in his stance.
"Are you and Scarlett fighting because William's coming back?" Alice asked from the sofa.
"No. Married couples fight. It's normal."
Alice's fingers tightened around her glass. She remembered yesterday in the hospital, when he'd left her to chase Scarlett. She forced a smile. "Good. I thought she knew."
"Is the baby alright?" he asked.
"He's just keeping me busy."
"Take care of the baby."
Her tone turned soft, almost wounded. "You care about the baby, but not me?"
He said nothing. She laughed lightly, changing the subject. "My agent says Shadowlight refused to sell us his new song. It's perfect for my comeback concert. I haven't been sleeping. Can you get it for me?"
Poor rest could put Alice's pregnancy at risk.
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'll handle it."
Her smile returned just as Tom entered. "Mr. Wilson, the meeting's about to start."
Alice said quickly, "Daniel, go ahead. Can I finish my juice before we leave? The taste is perfect—you know I haven't had much of an appetite these days."
Daniel nodded and left with Tom.
Alone, Alice wandered the office. Her gaze fell on the divorce papers.