SCARLETT'S POV
"You are pregnant Miss Hayes." For a second, I just stared at Doctor Kelly, unsure how to react. Pregnant? The word echoed in my head like a bell. I wasn't expecting it — not now, not like this.
I'd been feeling sick for a while, and Derek had insisted I go to the hospital. He would have come with me, except he's been out of town for two weeks. He's returning today..
"And you need to be extremely careful," Dr. Kelly continued, her voice soft but firm. I realized she had been saying more, but I'd drifted off somewhere between disbelief and wonder. "Especially with your diet and exercise. The fetus is not very stable at the moment, so you can't overexert yourself."
She scribbles something on a piece of hospital paper and tore it out for me. Yet, all I am thinking about is how I am going to tell Derek about the baby.
"Here, Miss Hayes," she said, handing it over. I took it, but the words swam before my eyes. "Ensure to pick them up at the pharmacy."
"Yes, Doctor Kelly." I reply nodding with a smile. Slowly, I rise from the chair.
"And if you notice anything different — dizziness, pain, spotting — you must call me immediately." Her eyes softened with concern. I had known Dr Kelly for a while now, Dr. Kelly had been my mother's doctor before she passed, and somehow that made her worry feel personal.
"Of course, I would let you know and I would be extremely careful." I reply finally leaving her office and heading to the pharmacy. After getting the medications, I made to leave the pharmacy.
On my way out, I imagine how I was going to break the news to Derek, though I know I won't be breaking it to him that easily, it would serve as payback for all the ridiculous pranks he loved playing on me.
After leaving the hospital, I flagged down a taxi and settled into the back seat. The city blurred past the window as I pulled the pregnancy report from my bag. My heart fluttered just looking at it. I slipped it back inside, smiling so hard my cheeks ached.
When I checked my phone, I found several missed calls — some from Derek, others from Lila. Just as I was about to call Lila back, her name flashed across my screen.
"Girl, I was worried sick." She blurted the second I answered.
"Sorry," I said, resting my hand gently on my stomach. "I just got out of the hospital."
"Okay…" she said, drawing out the word in that tone that meant 'and?'
" It is actually nothing serious, I'm pregnant." A sweet smile tugged my lips and my heart flutter in anticipation.
"I knew it wouldn't be that serious." There was silence — then a squeal, "what? Are you for real? OMG, Ya have got to be kidding me."Her excitement made me laugh. I could already imagine her bouncing in her chair. I wonder if Derek will be happy as well.
"I am so happy for you. Does he know yet?" She said, excitement lacing her voice.
"No," I grinned. "I'm not telling him that easily."
"Good," she teased. "We'll celebrate — after you tell him, of course."
"Deal."
"Oh! And about work — I sent the correction to the publisher. The book's launching in two weeks."
My smile deepened. "Good things are finally happening today."
"Also, the Writer's Side podcast invited you. I told them you wouldn't be appearing."
"Thank you," I sighed with relief. Lila knew me too well. The world might know Scar-lett, the mysterious romance-thriller author — but no one knew Scarlett Hayes. I liked it that way. Even Derek's fame in the entertainment industry hadn't tempted me into the spotlight.
"I am on my way home, will call you later." I said and we ended the call.
After the call, I tried ringing Derek again, but it went straight to voicemail. He was probably still at work.
When the taxi turned into the familiar driveway of the Hayes family villa, my good mood dimmed. The moment I stepped inside, I saw the one person who could ruin it in seconds.
"Well, if it isn't my sister," Chloe said, her smirk already waiting.
I ignored her and walked past.
"Come on, at least greet me," she called, voice dripping with mock sweetness.
I kept walking. She will not be getting a reaction from me today.
"I called Derek," she said casually. That made me stop.
"What for?" I turned to her.
"To hear his sweet voice," she said, smiling in that way that made me want to slap the smugness off her face.
I crossed my arms. "Yeah? My man does have the sweetest voice."
Her smile faltered.
"We'll be shooting together next week," she said. "He's playing my lover. We'll have the hottest kiss in entertainment history."
"Oh, lover, kiss, entertainment…" I let out a laugh. "You mean work. We both know that's all it is. And I don't stop my man from working — someone has to make the money I spend."
Her face darkened. She hated when I called him my man.
"I wonder what Father would think if he heard you call me a bitch," she said, changing tactics.
"Well," I shrugged, "we both know it is a lie, so I'd just deny it. He can't do anything without evidence."
Her jaw tightened.
"He treats me so nicely on set, you know," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Chloe," I said, meeting her eyes, "whatever Derek does for you, he only does because of me. He doesn't care about you unless I ask him to. One sentence from me, and that little on-screen fantasy of yours will end before it starts."
Her fists clenched.
"Everyone thinks we're dating," she snapped, trying to sound calm.
"Only because I choose to stay hidden," I shot back. "Should I change that? Should I tell the world who Scar-lett really is — and who she belongs to?"
Her face went red, and for a second I thought she'd hit me. But then she softened, eyes glistening.
"Why are you saying this to me? I'm not trying to take him from you," she said, tears threatening.
I didn't need to turn to know why.
"My Chloe, why are you crying? What has she done to you?" Her moher's voice came from behind. She pushed past me to cradle her daughter dramatically.
"I was only telling her that Derek could never be hers," I gave her a cold smile.
Classic Chloe — tears on command. My father's heavy footsteps followed.
Mr. Richard Hayes, booming as ever, demanded: "Why are you always trying to hurt your sister? She left him for you, and you still rub it in her face?"
I scoffed. The old me would've trembled at his voice. Not anymore.
Without another word, I turned and walked away, letting his yelling fade into nothingness.
---
In my room, I tried Derek again. This time, it rang, but no answer.
Worry began to creep in. I dialed Ethan — his old PA. he used to be Mr Micheal Lawson's PA before but after the man resigned and handed over to Derek, he had been Derek's PA, I heard he has worked for the Lawson's for Decades.
"Hello, Ethan."
"Miss Hayes," he replied, ever formal.
"I know you don't work for Derek anymore," I said, pacing slowly, "but I've been trying to reach him all day, and he hasn't answered. I'm starting to worry."
"He's fine, I'm sure," Ethan said calmly.
"Do you have his new PA's number?"
"I don't," he said after a pause. "But I can give you Victoria's, his secretary's."
I hesitated. Derek wouldn't mind me speaking to his Secretary but I don't want to. Victoria is sweet, but I didn't want rumors.
"No, it's fine. I'll keep trying," I said softly.
After we hung up, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone. Just when I was about to try again, it rang. Derek.
I took a deep breath before answering.
"Babe," his familiar voice filled the line — smooth, warm, and worried. "I was going crazy. I called as soon as I landed, but you didn't pick up. Where were you? Did you leave the hospital already?"
I stayed silent, a small smile tugging my lips.
"Scar?" he called again. "Scar, please say something. You're scaring me."
"Derek…" I whispered, making my voice tremble.
"What's wrong? Did Dr. Kelly say something? Talk to me."
"Derek, I… I…" I let my voice break, adding a soft sob.
"Where are you? I'm coming right now." I could hear movement, the sound of keys, metal — panic.
"Your place," I said quickly and hung up.
He'd pranked me too many times — pretending to be sick, injured — and I'd fallen for it every time. This time, it was his turn.
I changed clothes, checked the hallway, and slipped out quietly.
Halfway to his house, my phone rang again. His name flashed across the screen. I smiled as I answered.
"Derek?"
But the voice that came wasn't his.
"This is Officer Green," a man said. "Are you related to the owner of this phone?"
My breath caught. "Yes. I'm his girlfriend."
There was a pause — and then the words that shattered everything:
"What?" I shouted, my heart slamming in my chest.
The voice on the other end said something that froze my blood —
'The owner of this phone… was in an accident.'