The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

(Blair’s POV)

Three days have passed since Scarlett walked out of our house, since she looked at us like we were strangers. Three days of wandering around this empty mansion, seeing her ghost in

every corner.

Her favorite reading spot by the window. The kitchen table where she used to do her homework. The family photos on the mantle where she smiles so bright and genuine.

How could I have been so blind?

I pull my cardigan tighter as I walk through our neighborhood. The morning air is crisp, but it’s not the cold that makes me shiver. It’s the emptiness inside my chest where my heart

used to be.

Mrs. Anderson from two houses down is in her front yard, laughing as her granddaughter runs circles around her. The little girl has pigtails that bounce with each step, her giggles carrying on the breeze.

“Grandma, watch me!” she calls, doing a little spin that makes her dress twirl.

“Beautiful, sweetheart! You’ll be a stunning ballerine one day!”

I stop, my feet sticking to the ground as if held down by some force.

The little girl is about Lily’s age. Maybe a year older. The same bright eyes, the same infectious laughter that could light up a room.

My chest tightens until I can barely breathe. My granddaughter. She’s out there, beautiful, bright, and so much like her mother.

She should be living with us. I should be basking in the joy of being a grandmother like Mrs.

Anderson.

But because I was too busy trying to make up for lost time with Virginia. Too busy proving to my biological daughter I never stopped loving her, never stopped missing her…I forgot that Scarlett too had a right to my love.

From the second she entered my life, she had become my daughter.

The daughter I raised… The little girl who used to call me Mama with such trust and love…I failed her love. I failed her trust. How lonely and desperate must she have felt when everything she knew changed overnight?

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When no one was by her side to reassure her, to support her, to tell her everything will be

okay?

“Mrs. Stone? Are you alright?”

Mrs. Anderson’s voice breaks through my thoughts. She’s looking at me with concern, her granddaughter hiding behind her legs.

“I’m fine,” I lie, forcing a smile. “Just enjoying the morning.”

But I’m not fine. I’m drowning in regret, suffocating on the weight of my mistakes.

I turn around and walk back to my house, my steps getting faster with each passing second. By the time I reach our front door, I’m practically running.

James is in the living room, reading his newspaper like usual. Like our daughter is out there raising our granddaughter alone. Our family is falling apart, and this man seems to be oblivious to everything?

Rage burns through me, as I call out, “James.”

He looks up, eyebrows raised at my tone. “Yes, dear?”

“Our daughter is determined to cut all ties with us.”

He frowns, folding the paper. “Blair-”

“She’s living alone with our granddaughter when she should be living here, with us. And you’re sitting here, reading the news without a care in the world?”

“Blair, calm down-”

“Calm down?” The words explode out of me. “Our daughter wants nothing to do with us! Our four–year–old granddaughter barely knows us! And you want me to calm down?”

This time, James sets his newspaper aside completely, staring at me like I’m a stranger. In thirty–two years of our marriage, I’ve never raised my voice at him. Ever.

But I can’t help it. The pain is too much.

My want my daughter. I want my granddaughter. I want them in front of my eyes, right here, in my house.

“Why aren’t you thinking of something to get Scarlett to forgive us? Why aren’t you worried about her and Lily living alone in that little apartment when they should be here, living with

us?”

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x Chapter 73

“Of course I’m worried-”

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“No, you’re not!” I’m shouting now, tears streaming down my face. “If you were worried, you’d be doing something about it instead of sitting around!”

“Blair, what’s gotten into you?”

“If you’re not worried about Scarlett and Lily,” I continue, completely ignoring his question as he stands, reaching for me. “If you really don’t care about the girl we raised for over twenty years, then fine.” I avoid his reach and grab my purse from the side table. “I’ll go and live with my daughter and granddaughter.”

“What? Blair, you can’t be serious-”

But I’m already walking toward the door, resolve strengthening my voice as I say, “Watch me.” And walk out.

“Blair, wait!”

His footsteps pound behind me, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop. Not when every second I waste

is another second I’m not with them.

I’ve wasted four precious years not being there for my daughter. Four years missing from my granddaughter’s life.

But not anymore.

I’m done taking care of everyone’s feelings. Always putting their needs, and what’s best for them instead of doing what my heart tells me.

I want to be there for Scarlett, to play with Lily, to watch her grow up safe and sound. To be part of their life before it’s too late.

To hell with Jasper and everyone else.

The drive to Scarlett’s apartment leaves me trembling with nerves. My hands shake on the steering wheel, and I have to pull over twice to catch my breath.

What if she won’t let me in? What if she chases me away, refusing to acknowledge me?

She made it clear at our last meeting that she wants nothing to do with the Stones and Jasper. But I have to try. I have to.

When I finally reach her building, I see James’s car pulling into the parking lot behind me. He followed me. Of course he did.

I don’t wait for him. I march straight to the elevator, my heart pounding with each step.

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