Chapter 5 You Always Asked What Happened-Here's the Truth
710 Words
"The past... I'd rather not talk about it. Honestly, it's the dumbest thing I've ever done."
"Alright, if you don't wanna say anything, I won't push."
"Want me to take you out for a walk?"
"I'd rather walk around the house for a bit. Help me get used to it again, will you?"
Elizabeth hesitated for a second, then nodded with a heavy heart. It was just plain sad-this place used to be home to Scarlett, and now she needed someone else to help her feel her way through it.
They strolled around slowly, checking every nook and cranny of the villa. Out of the blue, Scarlett asked, "What's the date today? How many days till Christmas?"
"It's the fifteenth-ten more days to go."
"Why do you ask?"
"Would you spend Christmas with me?"
"Of course I will! That's nothing! I'm off work that day anyway. You name it, I'm in."
"Thanks, Liz. I'm really thankful you're around."
"If you wanna thank me, just try to be a little happier, alright?"
"I'll try!"
That night, Elizabeth headed home, but Ethan still didn't come back. Ten days went by, and Scarlett never saw him once.
On Christmas Day, Elizabeth showed up bright and early. She was planning to take Scarlett out for a little holiday fun.
But Scarlett only wanted to hit the supermarket. She loaded up on everything she could think of and spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen cooking a feast.
"Liz, I won't keep you for dinner tonight, okay? I'm hoping Ethan might show up. I want to have dinner with him. Come over tomorrow, I'll make it up to you."
"You serious? You spent all day sweating it out in the kitchen just for that jerk?"
Elizabeth looked annoyed, but the second she saw the worn-out look in Scarlett's eyes and her fragile little smile, she caved.
"Alright, alright, fine-give him a call. I'll stick around until he shows up. I'm not leaving you alone tonight, not when there's not even a maid around in this whole house."
"Mhm."Ring... ring... The phone kept buzzing. Scarlett's hand was shaking as she held onto it, her face tense, clearly afraid he wouldn't answer.
Finally, the call connected, and Ethan's impatient voice came through, "What is it?"
"Ethan, could you come home for dinner tonight? I made all your favo-" Before she could finish, he hung up.
Scarlett forced a small, awkward smile in Elizabeth's direction, trying to swallow the sting behind her eyes. Her hands trembled, too hesitant to dial again.
"If you don't wanna smile, then don't fake it. Let me call him. Even if I have to drag him back by the collar, he's coming home tonight!" Elizabeth snapped, her temper flaring.
"No... no, let me try again..."
It felt like hours, but the phone finally connected again. Scarlett immediately blurted out, "Ethan, please don't hang up yet."
"I cooked your favorite dishes... will you come have dinner with me tonight?"
"You really think that's gonna happen?" His voice was cold, no warmth at all.
"I know you don't want to see me. But we've been married three years... and not once have we properly sat down for a meal together. Just tonight, okay? Just one meal."
"I just... I really want you to be here with me."
"Not just three years. Try never. Not in this lifetime," he replied harshly.
Ignoring the ice in his tone, she kept going. "I'll wait at home for you... however long it takes. Just come when you're done, please?"
She didn't know if he even stuck around to hear the rest. The line had already gone dead. Still, she had to say it all.
Elizabeth, who was usually loud and blunt, stood beside her, at a rare loss for words. Normally, Elizabeth would be cursing Ethan out or calling Scarlett an i***t for putting up with this.
But watching her quietly cry like that, Elizabeth said nothing.
She knew Scarlett might come off gentle and soft, but deep down, she was stubborn and proud. Showing weakness in front of others was never her thing, so giving her space now was probably the kindest thing to do.
Suddenly, Scarlett spoke. "Liz, you've always asked what really happened between us, right?"
- Writer
