Chapter 98 Daniel Coaxes Her
Daniel's voice was clearly soft, yet Scarlett's heart felt like it had been struck by something, stirring up a wild, sour, swelling ache.
She stared blankly at Daniel in front of her, tears flowing uncontrollably from her eyes.
She wanted to turn her head away, not wanting him to see her vulnerability again.
But Daniel's hand, which had been gripping her chin, shifted to cup her small face instead, not allowing her to escape.
Scarlett's tears rolled down, drop by drop splashing onto Daniel's knuckles, seeping into his palm.
"Don't cry, don't cry. I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
Her tears were warm, but Daniel felt them burning hot, as if her tears were falling directly onto his heart.
He thought of the video Magnolia had sent him on his way back.
The video captured the chaotic scene by the pool.
He saw that after he had carried Alice away, the pool remained completely quiet—Scarlett never floated up on her own.
He also saw that in the end, it was Alton who dove down and rescued Scarlett from the water.
And at that moment, Scarlett's face looked so terrible, her eyes tightly shut, her whole body seeming lifeless and still.
It was Alton who laid her flat and gave her emergency aid before she violently coughed up the water she'd choked on.
When she opened her eyes, her bloodshot pupils were unfocused and confused—she had truly been drowning.
She had almost drowned right before his eyes.
And he had been completely unaware.
The video was very long. He hadn't even dared to watch it all the way through before abruptly shutting off his phone, unable to watch any more.
Daniel didn't dare to think—what if Alton hadn't gone into the water to save her that day? Would she have sunk to the bottom of the pool forever? If that had happened...
In that moment, Daniel felt a panic and fear he'd never experienced before. He wanted to stab himself.
And now, watching Scarlett cry unconsciously, Daniel's heart twisted and ached even more, filled with both heartache and helplessness.
His thumb gently brushed across her tear tracks, his movements as careful as if she were fragile glass.
But the more he wiped, the more tears seemed to flow.
Daniel reached out and pulled the trembling, crying Scarlett into his arms. He held her tightly, as if trying to press her into his body to ease the guilt and lingering fear in his heart.
He stroked her hair, lowering his head to kiss her gently, softening his voice to comfort her the way he had when they were young.
"Scarlett, don't cry anymore. I was such a bastard. I didn't know you were drowning. I thought Scarlett was a good swimmer and would definitely be fine, but I forgot that accidents can happen with anything."
"I was wrong. I hurt you, didn't I? Don't cry, don't cry. How about you hit me a few times?"
Scarlett nestled in Daniel's arms, her tears soaking into Daniel's chest.
Scarlett thought, no wonder Magnolia's crude acting could fool Daniel.
No wonder there were flaws everywhere. Daniel had just been soaking in the pool for so long, diving down again and again, letting Magnolia order him around.
It turned out he knew that she, Scarlett, had nearly had an accident in the water that day. He was punishing himself, and also apologizing to her in his own way.
Magnolia hadn't been wrong—Daniel still cared about Scarlett. He hadn't disregarded Scarlett's life.
Scarlett hadn't cried like this even when she fell into the water.
She thought this matter had long passed, but she hadn't realized that all that grievance, hurt, and resentment hadn't been resolved through her own strength—rather, she had pretended to be fine because she felt no one cared.
But they had already reached this point. She shouldn't be clinging to this bit of tenderness anymore.
Daniel's compassion at this moment was only for the Scarlett of the past, after all.
Scarlett suddenly opened her mouth and bit down on Daniel's chest, right over his heart. She bit down hard.
Daniel's body tensed for a moment, then relaxed.
He let her bite him painfully, like an angry little beast seeking revenge.
After a moment, she slightly loosened her teeth. Daniel let out a long breath.
Daniel's thin lips curved slightly as he ruffled Scarlett's long hair.
"Alright, alright. Did you hurt your teeth? Can you forgive me, Scarlett?"
Scarlett released him. Hearing Daniel's voice tinged with laughter, she felt utterly pathetic.
Just a few words of apology, a few gentle coaxing words from him, and most of her dissatisfaction melted away. She no longer resented him.
She kept her head down, too embarrassed to look up, only pushing him away and saying in a muffled voice.
"You should go take a hot shower."
She tried to leave, but Daniel held onto her and wouldn't let go.
"So are you still angry? Can you forgive me this time?"
Scarlett felt it was meaningless. What difference did forgiving him make? What difference did not forgiving him make?
They were getting divorced anyway. This wouldn't change anything.
She lifted her head, looking at him with reddened eyes. "Didn't you say we'd never have anything to do with each other again? Does my forgiveness even matter to you?"
Daniel frowned. "Of course it matters."
Scarlett's nose tingled again. "Then I don't blame you anymore. Can you let me out now?"
Her reaction was excessively cold. Daniel felt something stuck in his throat, unable to swallow it down or spit it out.
But Scarlett pushed him away forcefully. "I really don't blame you anymore."
He never had any obligation to save her in the first place.
Even though he cared so much now, it was out of his feelings for his sister.
Scarlett thought that if it happened again, between her and Alice, he would probably still choose Alice.
However, his reaction today did help Scarlett feel more at peace.
After all, Scarlett didn't want to resent him. But this was enough for them now.
Scarlett left the bathroom and closed the door behind her for Daniel.
She didn't see that Daniel stood there for a long time without moving.
After a moment, Daniel finally turned and leaned back against the wall. He felt somewhat powerless.
With some frustration and helplessness, Daniel raised his hand to run it through his wet hair, then suddenly turned on the shower, lifting his head to let the water droplets fall.
Scarlett went downstairs. The villa was completely quiet, not a soul in sight.
Probably everyone had been called away by Magnolia to give Scarlett and Daniel space alone.
Scarlett felt somewhat helpless. She went into the kitchen and heated up a cup of chocolate milk for Daniel.
She carried the tray back to the bedroom. Daniel had just come out of the bathroom.
Daniel only had a towel wrapped around his waist, one hand drying his hair, the other holding his still-dripping wallet and phone.
Thinking of her crying in the bathroom earlier, Scarlett felt uncomfortable.
Too embarrassed to look at him, her gaze fell on the phone in his hand.
"It's broken, isn't it? Since you knew Grandma did it on purpose, you should have at least taken out your phone before going into the water."
Daniel tossed his phone and wallet onto the low cabinet and said,
"Didn't think of it."
He had seen the video on the way over. As soon as he entered the house, he heard Magnolia say that Scarlett had fallen into the water while drunk.
He had lost his composure then, panicking badly. How could he have thought to take off his coat and remove his phone?
He had gone into the water twice and couldn't find her before coming to his senses.
Scarlett didn't quite understand what Daniel meant. Feeling uncomfortable all over, she bent down to place the ginger soup on the table and said,
"I heated up some chocolate milk for you. Drink it. I'll go now."
He was barely dressed. She didn't know how to face him.
Daniel said nothing and didn't stop her. Scarlett walked quickly to the door and pulled hard on it, but it wouldn't budge.
She frowned, gripping the door handle and turning it forcefully again, but still couldn't open the door.
She was a bit dumbfounded. Footsteps sounded behind her as Daniel walked over.
"Grandma's usual trick. If we don't make up today, I'm afraid neither of us can get out."
Scarlett fell silent.