The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

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(Blair’s POV)

My hands shake as I adjust my hijab for the third time in the car mirror. James drums his fingers against the steering wheel, and even Virginia seems nervous, fidgeting with her purse in the backseat.

“Maybe we should have called first,” I whisper.

“She would have hung up,” James says flatly. “You know she would have.”

He’s right, and we all know it. Four years of silence doesn’t end with a simple phone call.

The drive to the bakery feels like going to a funeral. My daughter–because she will always be my daughter, no matter what biology says–is twenty minutes away, and I haven’t seen her face in four years.

What if she’s changed completely? What if she looks at me with the same cold hatred I saw in her eyes the day she left?

What if she never forgives us?

“There it is,” Virginia says softly from the backseat.

Sunrise Bakes sits on the corner like a little beacon of warmth. The windows are fogged with steam from fresh bread, and I can see people inside, sitting at small tables with coffee cups and pastries.

She built this. Our Scarlett built this beautiful thing from nothing.

“Look at the line,” I breathe, watching customers wait patiently at the counter. “She’s really made something special.”

James parks across the street, and we all sit there for a moment, staring at the bakery like it might disappear if we look away.

“I can’t do this,” I whisper suddenly. “What if she calls security? What if she screams at us to leave?”

“Then we’ll leave,” James says quietly. “But we have to try, Blair. We owe her that much.” Virginia leans forward from the backseat, her voice gentle. “She might be more willing to listen if she sees we came together. That we’re united in wanting her back.”

I nod, trying to gather my courage. Through the window, I catch a glimpse of movement in

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the kitchen behind the counter.

And then I see her.

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My breath catches in my throat. Even from across the street, even through steamed windows, I know it’s her. The way she moves, the careful precision as she places something

in the display case.

She’s wearing a green hijab that brings out her eyes, and an apron that’s dusted with flour. Her face is focused, serious, but there’s something peaceful about her expression that I never saw when she lived with us.

She looks… content.

“She’s beautiful,” I whisper, tears already starting. “Look how beautiful she looks.”

James’s jaw tightens. “She’s working too hard. Look at her hands.”

I follow his gaze and see what he means. Even from here, I can tell her hands are rough from kneading dough, probably stained permanently with flour and spices.

Those hands used to be soft. Manicured. She used to care about things like that.

“She chose this life,” Virginia says carefully. “Maybe she’s happy working with her hands.”

But I can hear the judgment in her voice, and it makes me bristle. Virginia grew up poor, yes, but she’s never had to work like this. She’s never had to build something from nothing.

“There’s honor in honest work,” I say sharply.

“Of course,” Virginia agrees quickly. “I didn’t mean-

“Let’s just go in,” James interrupts.

We cross the street in silence, and with each step, my heart pounds harder. What do you say to the daughter you failed? How do you apologize for choosing blood over love?

The bell above the door chimes as we enter, and the warmth hits us immediately. It smells like cinnamon and butter and something indefinably comforting.

Home. It smells like home.

The girl behind the counter–young, maybe college age–smiles at us brightly. “Welcome to Sunrise Bakes! What can I get for you today?”

“Is the owner available?” James asks, his voice carefully controlled.

**apter 31

“Scarlett? She’s in the back, but she’s pretty busy with a big order. Can I help you with

something?”

“We’re I start, then stop. What are we? Family? Former family? Strangers who used to love

her?

“We’re old friends,” Virginia supplies smoothly. “We’d love to say hello if she has a moment.”

The girl’s smile wavers slightly. Something in our tension must be showing.

“Let me check,” she says, disappearing through a doorway marked ‘Kitchen Staff Only:

We stand there awkwardly, surrounded by the evidence of Scarlett’s success. The display cases are full of gorgeous pastries that look almost too beautiful to eat. The walls are decorated with local art and thank–you cards from customers.

One card catches my eye: “Thank you for the most beautiful wedding cake! You made our day perfect!”

She’s making wedding cakes now. Other people’s happy endings.

“Blair? James?”

I turn at the sound of my name, and there she is. My daughter. My beautiful, strong, grown–up daughter. I’m so caught up in taking her in, that I don’t even notice the fact that she didn’t call me Mama like she used to do.

She’s even more beautiful up close. The years have carved definition into her features, given her a quiet confidence that takes my breath away. But there are shadows under her eyes, and her hands are indeed rough from work.

“Scarlett,” I breathe, taking a step toward her.

She doesn’t move away, but she doesn’t come closer either. Her eyes flick between James and me, then land on Virginia with something that might be surprise.

“What are you doing here?”

Her voice is calm, controlled. Not angry, exactly, but not welcoming either.

“We wanted to see you,” I say, my voice cracking. “We’ve missed you so much.”

Something flickers across her face–pain, maybe?-but it’s gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

“Have you?”

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Chapter 31

The question is quiet, but it cuts deep.

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“Of course we have,” James says, stepping forward. “You’re our daughter, Scarlett. You’ll always be our daughter.”

She lets out a sound that might be a laugh, but there’s no humor in it.

“Really? Because four years ago, you seemed pretty eager to replace me.”

“That’s not what happened-”

“Isn’t it?” She looks at Virginia, who’s been unusually quiet since we arrived. “Congratulations, by the way. I heard you finally got everything you wanted.”

Virginia’s face crumples. “Scarlett, I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted to take your place.”

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