You Owe Me Forever

Chapter 6 He Said the House Felt Empty

　　"Huh?"

　　Elizabeth hadn't even processed what was happening when Scarlett started talking about the past.

　　"When I was ten, I lost both my parents in a car crash. My dad left me a huge inheritance and asked his best friend, Henry Johnson-Ethan's father-to take care of me."

　　"I grew up in the Johnson household. Uncle Henry was really kind to me. Ethan bullied me at first, but eventually, he warmed up too."

　　"When I turned twenty, we started planning our wedding. I was ready to marry him and have my happily-ever-after."

　　"But before the wedding, I visited my parents' graves-and that's when I found out their deaths weren't an accident. It was all Henry's doing."

　　"That day I cried so hard I went blind. Once my sight came back, I still married Ethan, like nothing happened. Three months later, the Johnson Group went bankrupt, Henry died of a heart attack, and Ethan became an orphan. I caused all of it."

　　"I got revenge for my parents, but I didn't feel a single bit of joy. All I did was destroy the people I loved the most."

　　"That night, I tried to take my life at my parents' graves. But my godfather showed up and told me the real truth-it was him who killed my parents. He used me to ruin the Johnsons. He was the mastermind."

　　"That hate kept me alive. I exposed him and got him arrested. I cleared the Johnson family's name and recovered what I could, but I couldn't bring Henry back."

　　"I'm the reason Henry died, and that's why Ethan despises me so much."

　　"Before Henry passed, his last wish was that Ethan and I never divorce. I stayed, trying to make up for what I did."

　　"Even if he hates me, I didn't want him to be all alone... Sometimes, hate is what keeps someone going."

　　Elizabeth's eyes went wide-she couldn't believe this soft-spoken woman in front of her had done something so extreme. She single-handedly brought down an entire company?

　　"Wait-are you seriously saying Ethan's dad died because of you?"

　　"I thought so too at first... but it turns out, he didn't."

　　"Then what really happened?"

　　"If you're not why he died, why didn't you just tell Ethan the truth? If he knew, maybe you two could've worked things out."

　　Scarlett stared blankly ahead, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "At first, I was too scared... then there just wasn't a good time... and now? I don't want to anymore."

　　"I'm dying. Telling him now would only make things worse for him."

　　"So... how did Mr. Johnson actually die?" Elizabeth still couldn't let it go.

　　Before Scarlett could respond, the sound of church bells echoed from afar. She glanced in that direction, her lips trembling as she tried not to cry.

　　Midnight had passed. He hadn't shown up.

　　"Don't wait. Christmas is over. He's not coming back."

　　After dinner, Scarlett said, "You should drive home. I'll be fine."

　　"I'm staying. I'll leave when the house staff comes in the morning."

　　"Since I can't sleep anyway, might as well keep chatting with you."

　　They talked all night until around 9 a.m., when Marry showed up. Behind her came a whole team of people carrying boxes and furniture, making the usually quiet villa feel oddly lively.

　　"Marry, what's with all the people?"

　　"The... sir asked them to come decorate. Said the place felt too empty," Marry replied hesitantly.

　　"Empty?" Scarlett looked genuinely puzzled.