Chapter 166 *
Damon’s POV
"I've read their chat logs." Scarlett said it like it was the most normal thing in the world. "I tricked Zelda into downloading an app with a virus. Got complete access to her phone for about three months before she switched devices."
My mouth fell open.
"So I know exactly what they're planning." Scarlett continued. "Viviana and the boys chose to love Zelda. They chose to trust her. When she destroys them, that's their problem. Not mine."
"If I'd known from the beginning, maybe I would've said something." Her voice got quieter. "But by the time I figured it out, they'd already shown me how they really felt. I was just the inconvenient real daughter who came back and ruined their perfect replacement."
She met my eyes.
"You can't fix a shattered mirror, Damon. Even if you glue the pieces back together, the cracks are still there."
The words hit harder than I expected.
"But what if they apologize?" I found myself asking. "What if they try to make things right?"
Scarlett's expression didn't change. "Then good for them."
"That's it?"
"What else do you want me to say?" She tilted her head. "Even if they grovel and beg for forgiveness, so what? Even if they suddenly start treating me like I'm precious and important—"
She stopped. Took a breath.
"I don't want Zelda's leftovers."
The sentence landed like a bomb in the quiet room.
I stared at her.
"Lorenzo is the only one with half a brain." Scarlett continued. "The others? They'd probably blame me for ruining their happy family. They'd say I should've kept my mouth shut. So why bother?"
She smiled. It didn't reach her eyes.
"I'd rather just watch from the sidelines. See how it all plays out. They made their bed. They can lie in it."
Something in my chest cracked.
I'd known Scarlett was strong. I'd known she was smart and capable and tougher than most people gave her credit for.
But this was different.
This was a twenty-three-year-old woman who'd looked at her entire family, assessed their betrayal with clinical precision, and decided they weren't worth the effort of saving.
"You've been carrying this alone." My voice came out rough. "All this time."
"It's not that heavy." She shrugged. "Once you accept that some people don't deserve your loyalty, it gets easier."
I reached over and pulled her into my lap. She came willingly. Let me wrap my arms around her.
"You're not alone anymore." I said it against her hair. "You understand that, right?"
"I know." Her voice was muffled against my chest. "That's why I'm okay."
I'd thought I was going to be the one to reveal the truth to Scarlett. To protect her from the shock of discovery.
Instead, she'd been ahead of me the entire time.
She'd already done the investigation. Already read the evidence. Already made her peace with what she'd found.
And somehow, that made it worse.
"For what it's worth," I said quietly. "I'm still going to make Miranda pay for what she did to you."
Scarlett lifted her head. "I know. That's why I married you."
"Because I'm going to destroy your enemies?"
"Because you're the only person who thinks I'm worth destroying enemies over." She smiled. It was real this time. "Everyone else wanted me to just accept it. Move on. Be grateful for whatever scraps they threw me."
She pressed her palm against my chest. Over my heart.
"You're the only one who looked at me and thought I deserved better."
I covered her hand with mine. "You deserve everything."
"I know." She said it simply. "That's why I don't want Zelda's leftovers. I'd rather have nothing than accept second place in my own family."
I kissed the top of her head. "You're never going to be second place again. I promise you that."
Scarlett's POV
I stayed curled against Damon's chest. His heartbeat was steady under my ear.
My hand moved to his jaw. I traced the sharp line of it with my fingertips.
"You're the only person who's ever made me feel like I was enough." My voice was barely above a whisper. "Just as I am."
Damon caught my wrist. Brought my palm to his mouth. Kissed it.
"You're more than enough, Scarlett."
Something shifted in the air between us. The atmosphere changed from comfort to something else. Something electric.
I was still sitting in his lap. My legs curled to the side. But now I was hyper-aware of everywhere our bodies touched.
His hand on my hip. My shoulder pressed against his chest. The heat of him through our clothes.
I shifted slightly. Turned so I was facing him more directly.
Damon's eyes darkened. "Scarlett."
It was a warning. I could hear it in his voice.
"What?" I tried to sound innocent. Failed completely.
"You're playing with fire."
I moved my hand from his jaw to the back of his neck. Let my fingers slide into his hair.
"What if I want to play with fire?"
His jaw clenched. "You don't know what you're asking for."
"Don't I?" I leaned closer. My lips almost touching his. "I'm asking for you, Damon. All of you."
His hands gripped my hips. Tight enough to leave marks.
"You're not thinking clearly. You're emotional right now. We just had a heavy conversation aboutâ€""
"I'm thinking perfectly clearly." I cut him off.
"Scarlett." His voice was strained. "We don't have to rush this."
"I'm not rushing." I shifted in his lap. Moved so I was straddling him instead of sitting sideways. "I'm making a choice."
His hands stayed on my hips. But his grip got tighter.
I could feel his body responding. The tension in his muscles. The way his breathing changed.
"Are you sure?" His eyes searched mine.
I leaned down. My lips brushed against his ear. "Definitely."
His control snapped.
One second I was leaning over him. The next his hand was in my hair, pulling my mouth to his.
The kiss was hungry. His other hand slid under the oversized hoodie I was wearing. His palm against my bare skin.
I gasped against his mouth. He took advantage. Deepened the kiss.
My hands fisted in his shirt. Pulled him closer even though there was no space left between us.
When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.
"Bedroom." His voice was rough. "Now."
I nodded. Couldn't form words.
Damon stood up in one smooth motion. I wrapped my legs around his waist automatically. My arms around his neck.