Chapter 9 Take It Off
Scarlett waved her hands quickly, her voice urgent. "Grandma, you've misunderstood. I caught a chill these past two days, and it's triggered a bout of acid reflux. I had a test done the day before yesterday—it's not pregnancy. Daniel knows."
Magnolia's eyes lit up with a flicker of hope. She turned sharply toward Daniel.
Daniel gave a brief nod. "She's not pregnant."
Magnolia's expression darkened instantly. The gentle hand she'd had resting on Daniel's arm turned into a sharp, punishing twist.
"A man can have all the success in the world, but if he doesn't take care of his wife, if there are no children, then what's it all for? You're never home, leaving a beautiful wife like Scarlett starved for affection… What good are you?"
Only Magnolia would dare speak to Daniel this way. Daniel's face was a mask of quiet resignation.
"We're still young, Scarlett and I. We're not in a rush to have children."
"You're almost thirty. How can you not be in a rush? This time I'm back, I'll make sure you two have a child before I leave!"
She didn't leave room for argument. "Tonight, you and Scarlett will stay at the Wilson Mansion."
"Alright, alright… whatever you say," Daniel replied.
"And you, Scarlett?"
Magnolia pressed her in front of Elliot, and Scarlett's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Worried Magnolia might say more, she nodded quickly.
"Of course. I'll go back and keep Grandma company."
Scarlett had been thinking about telling Magnolia about her plan—divorce and then studying abroad—but hadn't found the right moment.
By evening, Scarlett stepped out of the Dream Dance Training Institute. A car parked by the roadside caught her eye; it was familiar.
She quickened her pace, opened the door, and slid inside. Without looking at Daniel, she spoke to Tom, the driver.
"Drive."
Daniel sat beside her, lifting his eyes from the file in his hands.
"Am I someone you can't be seen with?"
She was just a part-time dance instructor. Being seen in such an expensive car would invite unnecessary trouble. And besides, twice before when she'd ridden with him to work, he'd made her get out two streets before the Star Group building.
No one at the Star Group knew she was Daniel's wife.
The one who couldn't be seen… was her.
Scarlett nodded. "We're getting divorced. I don't want complications."
Daniel let out a short, humorless laugh, tossed the file onto her lap.
"Take it back. I'm not agreeing to a divorce. Quit your part-time job and come back to work at the Star Group. I'll pretend your little rebellion these past two days never happened."
Today, without her flitting around in his line of sight, his work efficiency had dropped.
His tone was commanding. Scarlett snatched up the divorce papers he'd thrown back at her, anger flaring.
Why should she go back to work there?
She'd stayed at the Star Group this past year because she still loved him, because she'd wanted to make their marriage work. But even with her constantly in his sight, he hadn't come home.
She was tired.
"I'm not going back. I have my own dreams. And it's not like you think—leaving the Wilson family doesn't mean I can't make it on my own. I'm managing just fine…"
"You call that 'fine'? Teaching dance? Break a leg and you won't even be able to buy yourself a necklace." His gaze flicked down to her injured foot.
Her right foot was suspended slightly, probably still hurting.
'Foolish Scarlett… bringing pain upon herself,' he thought.
His scorn cut deep, and she thought of the call she'd received that afternoon.
The entertainment arm of the Wilson Group had offered to raise the price to two million dollars for her new composition—to be used as the opening piece for Alice's solo concert.
Alice had Reid and Thora pouring money into her career, and even Daniel had been supporting Alice's dreams. And Scarlett? She was only good enough to be a low-level office clerk?
"I want to dance! I don't need jewelry. I'm willing to leave with nothing in the divorce—why isn't that enough?"
Daniel hadn't expected that even after he'd tried to keep her, she was still set on leaving. His presence turned cold, his fingers gripping her chin.
"You came to the Wilson mansion at eight years old, living in luxury until now. Do you want me to calculate what that's worth? You want a divorce? Fine. But I don't do charity. Bring thirty million dollars to the table, and then we'll talk."
Scarlett's fists clenched, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Thirty million? Mr. Wilson, you really know how to work the system—marrying and divorcing once a year without lifting a finger and still making a fortune."
Daniel's lips curled. "Thirty million a year? I wouldn't sell my marriage for that. And besides, in this world, you're the only one who's been raised on the Wilson family's wealth and still dreams of leaving without a shred of gratitude."
Scarlett was ready to sink her teeth into him, but he was ready for her. His hand slid from her chin to clamp her cheeks.
Her face was scrunched into a stubborn little pout.
"If you can't pay, behave yourself."
Her eyes reddened, and only then did he let go.
He flicked open his lighter, touched the flame to the divorce papers, and tossed them into the trash.
Scarlett stared at the curling edges of the burning paper. "If you won't divorce me, what about Alice?"
"That's not your concern."
So he intended to keep them both?
Damn Daniel.
Scarlett turned her head away, seething. His voice cut in unexpectedly.
"Take it off. Let me see."
She turned back, incredulous, only to find his gaze fixed on her injured foot.
"You mean my shoe?"
He said nothing, but his look made it clear—what else would he mean?
Scarlett turned away again, refusing to humor him. Daniel frowned, pulled her leg onto his knee, inspected the injury, and only released her when he saw it was healing well.
They didn't speak for the rest of the drive.
At The Wilson Mansion, Scarlett opened the car door to step out, but his hand closed around hers.
She turned back. Daniel was sliding a ring onto her finger.
It was the wedding ring she'd taken off and left with her earrings at Regal Estate.
Scarlett froze. This was the first time he'd ever put the ring on her.
They hadn't had a wedding. The day they'd registered their marriage, he'd left the country for months. The ring had been arranged by Magnolia, and Scarlett had put it on herself, never taking it off—until recently. Daniel hadn't worn his until a year into their marriage, after they'd slept together.
To Scarlett, the ring had been a symbol of their marriage. In the end, all she'd managed to protect was its cold shell.
She started to remove it, but Daniel's fingers locked with hers.
"Grandma's been unwell lately. Don't be stubborn."
His grip tightened, the ring pressing into her skin until it hurt.
Scarlett thought he was bluffing, but when they entered the living room, Magnolia was there, taking her medication.
The pills were in large handfuls—the dosage clearly different from before.
Scarlett didn't dare bring up the divorce. Instead, she went to prepare Magnolia's favorite dishes.
Before dinner, Blair arrived with Daniel's father, Andrew.
Blair's eyes landed on Scarlett, and she let out a cold laugh, disdain clear in her gaze.
"Screaming about divorce, and now you're back at the Wilson Mansion. Shameless."
Scarlett had just stepped into the kitchen when Blair followed her in.
Scarlett stirred the soup, turning to smile at her. "Yes, how could I ever give up the Wilson family's wealth and comfort?"
Playing along with Blair's jab only made Blair's expression darker.
"So you admit it. I should show Daniel your true colors!" Blair spun on her heel and left.
Scarlett finished only Magnolia's favorite dishes; the rest were handled by the staff. She carried the plates to Magnolia's bedroom.
To her surprise, Daniel was already there. Magnolia was propped up in bed, reaching out a hand.
"Scarlett, come here."
Scarlett sat beside her, taking her hand. Magnolia's eyes searched hers.
"You're not hiding a divorce from me, are you?"
Scarlett's heart jolted. This was her chance to tell Magnolia about her plan to leave and study abroad.
But Magnolia's gaze was heavy with sadness and worry, as if she'd aged years in an instant.
The hand in hers was frail and trembling.
Scarlett's lips parted, but the words stuck.
Before she could speak, Daniel pulled her into his arms.
"Grandma, everyone says we're fine. Right, sweetheart?" His voice was a low murmur against her ear.
His breath curled into her ear, deep and persuasive, sending a shiver straight to her heart.
It was the first time he'd called her "sweetheart"—even if it was just for Magnolia's benefit—and Scarlett felt her defenses crumble.
Her cheeks warmed. "Yes… we're fine."
"You can't fool me that easily," Magnolia said. "I was at the nursing home, and Daniel insisted on bringing me back. You two had a fight, didn't you? He couldn't fix it himself, so he dragged me into it. I haven't lost my marbles—I know exactly what's going on. Right?"
Magnolia looked at Daniel. Scarlett turned to him, startled.
Was it true? Had he brought Magnolia back to help patch things up?
Daniel's expression didn't change. "Grandma, you're as wise as ever. Nothing gets past you."
He was admitting it.
Scarlett's heartbeat stumbled. She'd thought his refusal to divorce was about pride—or revenge—not about holding on to her.
But maybe… maybe he did care about their marriage after all.
"Well? Say something nice to Scarlett!" Magnolia prompted.
Daniel gave a small, helpless smile. His handsome features softened with a touch of charm as his gaze met Scarlett's.
Her ears burned instantly, her pulse quickening.
He took in her flushed cheeks and delicate face, his breath catching for a moment.
His hand rose, fingers brushing through her hair. His voice was husky. "Honey… let's not get divorced, alright?"