Chapter 2 The Difference

James looked like he was seconds away from snapping.

"Scarlett... Hayes."

Her name came out through clenched teeth, each syllable heavy with barely contained rage.

Just as he was about to lose control, Sadie reached out and gently tugged on his sleeve.

"James... maybe I should talk to her," she said softly, her voice trembling. "At the end of the day... I'm the one who hurt her first."

The sight of her teary, guilt-stricken face made his chest tighten.

In his eyes, Scarlett had wronged Sadie over and over again-she had even cost them their child.

And yet Sadie had never blamed her.

Instead, she blamed herself-for "taking him away," for everything that had happened.

How could someone be this selfless?

"Please... let me talk to her," Sadie whispered, fragile and pleading.

James hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped aside.

The second she stood in front of Scarlett-

Everything about her changed.

The tears disappeared. In their place came a cold, mocking smile.

"Scarlett, that prison uniform really suited you," she said with a sneer. "Honestly, you should've stayed locked up for life."

Scarlett's eyes narrowed, irritation flickering across her face.

"I'm not in the mood for your games," she said flatly. "But don't worry-you won't have to wait long."

Her lips curved slightly.

"I heard your wedding's in three days. I'll be there."

A brief pause.

"To settle the score."

Sadie's heart skipped.

For just a split second, unease flickered across her expression.

What was Scarlett planning?

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it came.

She scoffed, her gaze full of disdain.

"As if you could do anything," she said with a laugh. "Go ahead. Try."

Her tone sharpened, turning vicious.

"Let me make one thing clear-no matter what you do, you'll always be nothing more than a rat living in my shadow."

"James is mine."

"Your mother? Mine too."

"You've already lost, Scarlett. Completely."

Scarlett looked at her the way someone might watch a clown on stage.

One brow arched slightly, her expression lazy, almost amused.

"Don't you think you're celebrating a little too early?"

"Oh? Still not giving up?" Sadie smirked.

Then, glancing quickly at James-making sure he wasn't watching-

She lifted her hand and slapped herself.

SMACK-

Instantly, her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry, sis!" she cried, her voice shaking. "It's all my fault! I shouldn't have taken James from you! I-I didn't mean to... I just love him too much... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Scarlett felt a wave of disgust watching the performance.

And yet-

There were always fools willing to believe it.

James rushed forward, pulling Sadie into his arms.

"Sadie! Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine..." she whispered weakly. "Don't blame her... it's my fault..."

Her trembling voice and tear-streaked face only fueled his anger.

He spun around, glaring at Scarlett, his eyes blazing.

"Scarlett! How can you be this cruel?! If you're angry, take it out on me! This has nothing to do with her!"

Scarlett's gaze drifted lazily toward Sadie.

"I didn't touch her."

"You're still denying it?!" James snapped, his fists clenching.

Scarlett let out a quiet, almost amused breath.

"I can prove it."

Prove it?

Both James and Sadie froze, confusion flashing across their faces.

How could something like that even be proven?

Before either of them could react-

Scarlett raised her hand.

Then-

CRACK-

Her arm lashed out like a whip.

The impact was explosive.

Sadie spun in place like a top, stumbling in circles before crashing hard onto the ground, limbs sprawled.

Her hair fell into complete disarray.

The right side of her face swelled almost instantly, turning an ugly shade of red.

When she opened her mouth-

Blood poured out.

Along with several teeth.

She looked utterly wrecked.

Sadie stared at Scarlett in shock, her jaw slack.

James stood frozen, his mind completely blank.

No one had expected-

That Scarlett would actually hit her.

And certainly not like that.

In the suffocating silence, Scarlett gave a faint smile.

"See the difference?" she said lightly. "That's what it looks like when I hit someone."

If they insisted on framing her-

Then she'd make it real.

Not just real-

Unforgettable.

James's hands trembled with rage.

"You need to apologize to Sadie!"

Scarlett let out a soft scoff.

"Idiot."

Even after that, he still couldn't tell?

She didn't bother sparing him another glance.

Turning on her heel, she walked away.

"Don't ignore me!" James roared, lunging forward and grabbing for her shoulder.

Scarlett stopped abruptly.

Her eyes darkened.

Cold. Sharp. Dangerous.

Without even turning fully, she shifted slightly-effortlessly dodging his hand.

Then she moved.

Fast.

She caught his wrist, twisted, and-

In one smooth motion-

Flipped him over her shoulder.

James flew through the air in a clean arc before slamming face-first into the ground.

Hard.

A sickening crack echoed.

Blood gushed from his nose.

Sadie's face drained of all color.

She had expected James to defend her-

Not... this.

Her neck turned stiffly toward Scarlett, disbelief written all over her face.

Since when was she this strong?

James staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his nose.

The way he looked at Scarlett now-

Was pure hatred.

Scarlett casually raised her fist, a wild grin tugging at her lips.

"What? Want more?"

She took a step forward.

James immediately backed away-again and again-putting distance between them.

Scarlett let out a mocking laugh.

"Pathetic."

Humiliation burned through him, but he didn't dare move.

Not after that.

Scarlett turned and walked toward the car parked by the road.

Without looking back, she lifted a hand in a lazy wave.

"See you at the wedding in three days."

She didn't have time to waste here.

There were people she needed to see-

Her adoptive parents.

Her brother.

Five years.

It had been five long years.

"Damn it!"

James ground his teeth so hard it felt like they might shatter.

He had always been the one standing above everyone else-untouchable.

And today?

He had been humiliated like never before.

Not only that-

He was supposed to go to the airport with his father to welcome an important figure.

Instead, he came here to force Scarlett to sign the divorce papers.

And what did he get?

Nothing.

He missed everything.

All because of her.

Scarlett.

His expression darkened.

Fine.

If she wanted to show up at the wedding in three days-

Perfect.

He'd make sure she paid for everything.

But remembering her terrifying strength, his eyes narrowed.

He'd need backup.

This time-

He'd make her kneel.

Beg.

...

Inside the car, Howard glanced at Scarlett through the rearview mirror. She had changed into civilian clothes. Her eyes were closed, resting.

"Where to, Commander?"

"My adoptive parents' place," she replied calmly. "And from now on, call me Boss. I don't want my identity exposed."

"Understood."

Just then-

A child suddenly ran into the road.

"Shit-!"

Howard jerked the wheel sharply.

The car screeched, barely avoiding the roadside barrier.

Scarlett's eyes snapped open, her hand gripping the overhead handle.

"What happened?"

"A kid ran out!"

Without hesitation, she pushed the door open and stepped out.

A small boy lay on the ground ahead, struggling to push himself up.

He looked about four or five years old.

"Hey-are you okay?" she asked, hurrying over and helping him to his feet.

Then-

She froze.

The boy's face...

Why did he look so much like her?

The child's eyes widened.

He stared at her, bright and clear.

For a few seconds, he said nothing.

Then slowly, uncertainly-

"...Mommy?"