Chapter 3 Confession

My foot swung gracefully, carrying me closer to Lucas Becker, who was still standing stiffly in the doorway, his eyes darting away from me. There was a palpable disgust on his face, as if my very presence here was a stain ruining his evening.

"I can't believe you're here, Scarlet," Lucas hissed, seething with annoyance. "What are you doing? Stirring up trouble again?"

I stopped a few steps from him, close enough to make sure he couldn't ignore me. My smile was a thin mask.

"Why? Am I messing with your plans, Lucas?" My gaze cut right through him. "Have you forgotten this is my father's house? Sarah, that mistress, might be his wife. But I? I have rights here too. More than you could ever imagine."

Lucas clenched his jaw. His eyes now blazed into mine. "Stop hurting Vivian, Scarlet. She's innocent in all of this. You're cruel."

No sooner had those words left Lucas's mouth than Vivian's shriek echoed from the top of the stairs.

"Lucas!" Vivian flew down the steps in a different dress, looking fresh and as if nothing had happened. She practically launched herself into Lucas's arms, hugging him tightly as if I weren't even there. Her lips immediately found his, a kiss that was too long, too performative, and right in front of me.

A wave of revulsion washed over me. My stomach churned watching that display. But more than that, there was another sting. Pain. A familiar ache, one I'd buried for so long.

Lucas was my first love. A love I thought was dead. But seeing this, my heart throbbed with agony. I still loved him. Dammit.

Vivian pulled away from Lucas, looking at me with a triumphant gleam she couldn't hide. "Ice, darling, come join us for dinner." Her voice was sickly sweet, sly as hell. This was clearly a trap. She wanted to humiliate me at the dinner table.

I didn't flinch. Only a faint smile was my reply. With effortless grace, I turned my back on them. "Of course. Why not?" I sauntered past them, heading toward the dining room as if I were the true mistress of this mansion. Not her, not her mother.

...

The dining room was already brightly lit. The long mahogany table was laden with lavish dishes. Sarah was already seated at the end of the table, her face still red with visible anger. She glared at me the moment I walked in.

"I'm watching you," Sarah hissed.

I ignored her, choosing the empty chair closest to the head of the table, where Dad would sit later.

Vivian and Lucas entered after me, Lucas's arm still wrapped around Vivian's waist. They sat across from me.

Dad finally arrived, his expression still annoyed. "Enough," he said, his voice heavy, "Let's eat. No more drama."

Everyone sat down. A short prayer was said, more like a dry formality. Then, we started eating. I reached for a plate. Deliberately, I piled on several dishes, then laughed at something obscure.

Sarah immediately snapped at me. "Scarlet, what in the world are you doing? Have you no manners?!"

I turned to her, the spoon in my hand still mid-air. "Oh, my apologies, Stepmother. I'm just so impressed. This food looks incredibly fancy. Did you order this from a five-star restaurant? To welcome a special guest? Wow, so the resident chef isn't quite up to snuff these days, huh?" My tone was dripping with sarcasm.

Vivian immediately shot back. "What are you talking about, Ice?! I cooked all of this myself! Every single dish!" Her face flushed, but her eyes held a defensive glint.

I shot her a sharp look. Liar. I knew she couldn't even fry an egg without burning it.

Lucas was quick to defend Vivian. "That's right, Scarlet. Vivian really is a great cook. Her cooking is one of the things that made me fall for her back in college." He glared at me, annoyed. "Maybe you're just jealous because you can't do the same."

Lucas's words hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze. Cooking? Back in college? The thing that made him fall for her?

My mind raced backward. That cooking... the packed lunches I often brought for Lucas when he was busy training. The lunches that always disappeared from his locker. Or the lunch I'd made with all my heart, the last time I gave it directly to him... and he threw it in the trash right in front of me, saying he didn't need my pity.

He said Vivian made all that food. I had forgotten. I didn't realize...

Dad cleared his throat loudly. He looked from me to Lucas, then back. "I want a peaceful dinner. No more arguments." His voice clearly ended the debate.

I lowered my gaze, pretending to focus on my food, but my mind and heart were still reeling. Could Vivian really have cooked for Lucas?

...

After dinner, I went to the second-floor toilet.

Once inside, I heard Vivian and Sarah's voices. They were talking, seemingly unaware that anyone else was nearby. I stood by the doorframe, my hand still on the doorknob.

"I hate her, Mom!" Vivian whined, her voice thick with anger. "I can't believe she showed up! I want her out of this house as soon as possible!"

"Calm down, sweetheart," Sarah replied, trying to soothe her. "Your father won't let her do anything."

Vivian complained again. "It's not that! I just don't want Lucas to find out..."

Sarah sounded like she sighed. "Find out what?"

"I'm scared old flames might reignite, Mom!"

"Ridiculous. Lucas never liked her. He only felt sorry for her."

"No, Mom! Lucas *did* like her back then!" Vivian raised her voice. "He often praised Scarlet. If I hadn't messed with their story, Lucas would definitely be with Scarlet. I wouldn't have let that happen!"

Vivian's confession pierced my heart. I froze on the spot. Completely shocked.

All this time, I was sure Lucas hated me. I wholeheartedly believed he'd gotten rid of me, just like he'd tossed my homemade lunch in the trash. I was convinced he was disgusted by me.

But what I just heard...

He liked me?

I walked out of the toilet; both of them went pale.