novelnext Chapter 7
Chapter 7
I walked up to Nolan, and with a defiant shove, I pushed Aria into the lake in response to her arrogant provocation. A mocking smile curled at the corners of my lips.
"I won't admit to something I haven't done, but this time, I'll own it."
A splash erupted as Aria flailed and struggled in the water.
"Help! Nolan, save me!" she screamed, her voice dripping with panic.
The crowd around us stirred with chaos as Nolan immediately leaped back into the lake to rescue her.
"You little brat! How dare you push Aria? A vicious girl like you will never set foot in my Birch family!" Amanda roared, her face turning crimson with fury. Without thinking, she lunged at me. The flood of memories, her insults and disdain, hit me all at once, and resentment exploded within me like a bursting balloon.
I took a step back and, in one smooth motion, stuck out my foot, tripping her. She fell face-first into the lake, sputtering and cursing as she came up, "Scarlett, you bitch…" It took her several mouthfuls of water before she finally quieted down.
"Scarlett, have you lost your mind? You even dare to lay a hand on my mother! Do you still want a marriage license?" Nolan shouted from the water, holding Aria in his arms.
"I stopped wanting that marriage license a long time ago," I said, my voice icy. As he grasped the edge of the shore, gasping for air, I stepped on the back of his hand and ground my heel down. My eyes darkened.
"And you... I don't want you either."
His hand flinched in pain, and he let go, plunging back into the water with Aria. Watching the two of them struggle, a wave of exhilaration washed over me. After years of enduring their mistreatment, it felt good to finally fight back.
The scene exploded into chaos. Those who knew how to swim rushed into the water to help. I walked over to Aiden, gently stroking his fluffy head, and said softly, "Sweetie, a true man knows right from wrong, not just how to be arrogant and reckless."
Aiden tilted his head at me, as if processing my words. His fear began to fade, and the tension in his eyes slowly melted away.
"Mommy will come and take you away later," I said, my voice filled with a soft resolve as I turned to leave.
"Mommy," Aiden's voice called out, soft and uncertain.
I didn't look back. All the patience would pay off.
In a fit of rage, Amanda ordered the security guards to grab me, but Wesley stepped in front of me, knocking the guards down effortlessly. He took my hand, pulling me away.
"Come with me," he urged.
Behind me, the Birch family's eyes were fixed on us. At that moment, Wesley was my only lifeline in this mess.
"Scarlett, if you dare to go with him, I'll break up with you," Nolan spat, still holding Aria tightly in his arms.
I gripped Wesley's hand firmly and said, each word deliberate, "Of course we'll break up. But I'm the one doing the dumping."
Saying it in front of everyone made it final. Nolan's face turned red with rage, and he punched the water, splashing it up in fury.
"Scarlett, you'll regret what you've said. Even if you beg me on your knees, I won't turn back," he yelled.
I walked away with steady steps, not looking back. His words echoed in the air as I continued forward. He punched the water again, the splashes hitting his face as he fumed.
"Scarlett, you will regret this!" he shouted after me.
He was so sure of himself, so certain I couldn't live without him. What he didn't realize was that my heart had already died.