Chapter 47 *
Scarlett's POV
I flopped back on the bed. Covered my face with my hands.
What am I supposed to do now?
The truth was... I wasn't ready for this.
I never planned to get married this young. Never planned to settle down with someone I barely knew.
But looking at the situation objectively...
Could I actually divorce Damon?
I started thinking it through. Really thinking it through.
If I tried to divorce him and fight for custody...
He's one of the most powerful men in New York. He has unlimited money. The best lawyers in the country.
He could drag a custody battle out for YEARS.
And honestly? He'd probably win.
Then I'd lose my baby.
The thought made my chest tighten painfully.
I couldn't lose my baby.
I wouldn't survive that.
So fighting him... that wasn't an option.
Which left me with what?
I stared at the ceiling some more.
The truth was settling in. Heavy and unavoidable.
This marriage was real.
Whether I'd planned for it or not.
Whether I was ready or not.
I was actually married to Damon Wolfe.
And he had no intention of letting me go.
I rolled onto my side. Hugged a pillow to my chest.
The smart thing to do would be... to accept it.
To try to make this work.
Not because I was in love with him. I barely knew him.
But because fighting was pointless. And honestly... he wasn't a bad option.
He was attractive. Successful. Powerful.
He treated me well. Took care of me. Was going to be a good father.
I had no other prospects. No one else waiting for me. No family that cared.
So why not try to make this real marriage thing work?
It made sense. Logically.
Even if my heart was still racing from that kiss.
I grabbed my phone. Checked the time.
11:47 PM.
I groaned.
I should sleep.
Tomorrow I'd need to face Damon again. Have an actual conversation. Figure out how to move forward.
I put my phone down. Closed my eyes.
Tried to sleep.
Couldn't.
My mind kept replaying the kiss. The way he'd held me. The way he'd looked at me.
"You're mine."
I buried my face in the pillow.
This was going to be a long night.
Turns out, it was.
I tossed and turned for hours.
Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his hands on me. His mouth on mine. His teeth on my ear.
My face would heat up. My heart would race. I'd have to open my eyes again.
This is ridiculous.
I rolled over again. Punched my pillow.
Stop thinking about it. Just stop.
By the time light started filtering through my curtains, I'd maybe slept one hour.
Total.
I dragged myself out of bed. Looked in the mirror.
Immediately regretted it.
My eyes had dark circles under them. My face was pale. My hair was a disaster.
Great.
I splashed cold water on my face. Brushed my teeth. Pulled my hair into a ponytail.
I walked downstairs slowly. The dining room came into view. Damon was already there. Sitting at the head of the table. Reading something on his tablet.
He looked up when I walked in.
His expression flickered. Just for a second.
I saw him take in my appearance. The dark circles. The exhaustion.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"You look terrible."
Thanks. That's exactly what every woman wants to hear.
"Didn't sleep well," I muttered.
I sat down at my usual spot. Grabbed a piece of toast. Didn't look at him.
Arthur appeared with coffee. Set it in front of me.
I mumbled a thanks. Took a long drink.
The silence was heavy.
I could feel Damon watching me.
I focused very hard on my toast.
"What kept you up?"
His voice was neutral. Casual.
But I heard the underlying question.
I put down my toast. Looked at him.
He was watching me carefully. His expression unreadable.
Might as well get this over with.
"I was thinking about what you said last night."
His eyebrows went up slightly. "And?"
"And I thought about it. All night. Couldn't sleep because I was thinking about it."
I picked up my coffee cup. Held it between both hands. Needed something to do with them.
"So I came to some conclusions."
Damon set down his tablet. Gave me his full attention.
I took a breath.
"We're going to be parents to the same child."
He nodded. Didn't interrupt.
"Kids do better with both parents. That's just a fact."
Another nod.
"If I tried to divorce you and fight for custody..." I looked down at my coffee. "Let's be real. You have unlimited resources. The best lawyers in New York. You could drag this out for years."
His expression didn't change. But something flickered in his eyes.
"And honestly? You'd probably win. Then I'd lose my baby."
My voice got quieter.
"I can't... I can't risk that."
Damon was very still. Watching me.
"But also..." I forced myself to look at him. "You've been nothing but good to me. You take care of me. You're going to be a good father."
I paused. This next part was harder to say.
"I don't have anyone else. I'm not in love with someone else. And I actually like you as a person."
His mouth curved slightly. Just barely.
"So why would I fight you? Why would I make both our lives difficult when we could just... try to make this work?"
I set down my coffee cup.
"It's not romantic. But it makes sense. And honestly, you're not a bad deal."
The words hung in the air.
Damon didn't respond right away.
He just looked at me. His dark eyes studying my face.
I fidgeted with my napkin. Waited.
Finally, his mouth curved into a real small smile.
I blinked. "Damon, you're smiling."
"Am I?"
"I've never seen you actually smile before."
"I smile."
"Not like that. Not for real."
His smile got a little wider.
My heart did something weird in my chest.
He's really handsome when he smiles.
I smiled back. Couldn't help it.
Damon stood up. Walked around the table.
I tensed slightly. Not sure what he was going to do.
He stopped next to my chair. Reached out.
His hand ruffled my hair gently. Affectionately. Like I was something precious.
"You're very practical," he said. His voice was warm. Amused.
"Someone has to be."
"True."
After lunch, Damon left for the office.
I watched him go. Then headed straight back to my room.
Collapsed on my bed.
Finally. Sleep.
I was asleep in seconds.