Chapter 41 – Scarlett's POV
After my intense morning with Jason, we finally got dressed and met Julia outside.
Julia raised an eyebrow. "Finally. Were you getting dressed for your wedding, Miss Scarlett Prescott?"
My cheeks flushed instantly, and of course she caught it.
She groaned dramatically. "Ugh. In the morning?! Really?"
Jason smirked. "Says Miss I-slept-with-a-random-hottie-and-ghosted-him…"
Julia rolled her eyes. "I didn't ghost him! He texted me."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? What did he say?"
Julia suddenly got shy. "He said, 'Perfect night. Let's do it again sometime.'"
I : " And what did you answer ?"
julia :" I'm going back home sorry another time maybe or not ! "
Jason and I both stared at her like she grew a second head.
Jason whistled. "She's doomed to be single forever, that's for sure."
Julia snapped, "Can we just go see Scarlett's dad now?"
I chuckled. "Yeah, let's go."
Jason drove us through town until we reached a small white house by the sea. It wasn't our old family home—we'd moved after the accident to stay low and let my father recover while I planned my revenge far from the Calloways.
Julia looked out the window and smiled. "This place is adorable."
Jason nodded. "Screams 'family home.'"
I smiled softly and rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, the door swung open and I was immediately pulled into a tight hug.
"Scarlett! I missed you!" It was my cousin Diana, beaming with joy. "When you said you were coming for vacation, I was so happy!"
Then she glanced behind me. "And who are these two cute strangers?"
I chuckled and gestured. "This is Jason, my boyfriend. And Julia, my best friend."
They greeted her politely and we stepped inside.
"He's upstairs," Diana told me, "go surprise him."
While Jason and Julia stayed downstairs chatting with Diana, I climbed the stairs slowly. My heart pounded. When I opened the door, I saw him sitting in his wheelchair by the window.
"Dad," I breathed, tears already filling my eyes.
He turned around—and in a second, I ran to him like a five-year-old girl, throwing my arms around him tightly. He stroked my hair gently, then smiled.
"Diana said you were coming today. I missed you, my little princess."
"I missed you too, Dad."
"You're staying for good now, right?" he asked, hopeful.
I forced a smile. "Not yet… but soon."
(Once I've ended this war. Once I've made them all pay.)
Dad sighed. "At least have dinner with us tonight, stay the night."
"I brought guests, remember?" I reminded him gently. "Jason and Julia."
He perked up. "You have a boyfriend? My baby girl has a boyfriend?"
He reached out and squeezed my cheeks. I laughed. "I'm not a baby anymore!"
"Eh, debatable," Jason said from behind the door. "Hi sir, I'm Jason."
"And I'm Julia, hello!" she added.
Dad smiled warmly. "Welcome. Scarlett just told me about you. Thank you for being with her."
Then he paused and looked at Jason again, narrowing his eyes. "You said your name is Jason… what's your family name?"
Jason tensed. I held my breath.
He knew. He must've recognized him from school.
Quickly, I cut in. "Jason Torn."( a lie )
Jason and Julia exchanged a subtle look as I laughed nervously.
Dad let it go. "Ah. Thought you looked like someone I knew. Anyway—tonight, you're all staying for both dinner and the night . Jason can stay in Scarlett's room, and Julia can share with Diana."
Diana chimed in, "Yes! Great idea, uncle!"
I nodded. "Okay, Dad. We'll stay."
I knelt next to him, kissed his forehead, and held his hand.
I missed him. I missed the old times. But I'll finish what I started… and once it's over, I'll bring him and Diana to live with me—peacefully. Safely. Far from the shadows of the past.