The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 94

Chapter 94

(Virginia’s POV)

I stand behind the thick oak tree, my nails digging so deep into my palms that warm blood trickles between my fingers.

They look happy together. Like a perfect Christmas card family.

Jasper’s arm around Scarlett’s waist. The tender way he looks at her. And that brat – Lily – bounces between them like an annoying mosquito.

If it hadn’t been for her, things between Jasper and me wouldn’t have gotten this badly. I would’ve already gotten married to him, and we would’ve built a family together. The life Scarlett is living should’ve been my life, my happy ending.

The snow falls heavier, coating my expensive boots, but I barely notice it. All I can see is the life that should have been mine.

I should be the one walking through Christmas markets with Jasper. I should be the one he buys hot chocolate for, the one he secretly clicks photos of like a precious gem.

Instead, I’m hiding behind a tree like some kind of stalker, watching the woman who stole everything from me live the life I’ve dreamed about since I was twelve.

The worst part? She doesn’t even appreciate what she has. Scarlett keeps looking around like she’s scared, like she has any right to be paranoid when she has everything.

I watch Jasper lift Lily, watch him kiss the top of her head with such tenderness it makes me want to scream. He’s never looked at me like that. Never cared for me with such gentleness.

Blood pools in my palms, sticky and warm. The pain keeps me grounded, keeps me from running out there and demanding he remember who loved him first.

They walk toward Jasper’s car, and I press deeper into the shadows. Scarlett turns around again, her eyes scanning the crowd. For a moment, her gaze passes right over my hiding

spot.

Smart girl. Too bad being smart won’t save her.

They reach the car. Scarlett settles Lily with careful attention while Jasper stands close enough that their shoulders almost touch.

My vision goes red around the edges. The pain in my palms is nothing compared to the rage burning through my chest.

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I’ve been patient. I’ve been careful. I’ve played the long game, waiting for the right moment to

strike.

But watching them today, seeing how easily they fell back into being a family, how naturally they fit together despite everything that’s happened…

I’m done waiting.

The plan moves forward tonight.

It’s time to remind Scarlett Stone what happens when she takes things that don’t belong to

her.

The blood from my palms has dried into sticky crescents, but I barely feel it anymore. All I can feel is the white–hot rage burning through my veins as I watch them from behind the tree.

I’m about to turn away, to go home and plan my next move, when I see two familiar figures walking towards Jasper’s car.

James and Blair.

My breath catches in my throat. They told me they were visiting old friends. Blair even kissed my forehead and said they’d be back by dinner, that we would celebrate Xmas together.

They lied to me? They lied just to spend time with their precious Scarlett?

I watch them approach Jasper and Scarlett, watch Blair’s face light up at the sight of Lily with her butterfly face paint. James ruffles Jasper’s hair like he’s still the college boy he helped through school.

And Scarlett…fuck!

How could Blair kiss Scarlett on the forehead? Isn’t that intimacy reserved only for me? So she was lying to me when she said she loves me. They are all lying to me, deceiving me with

their eyes wide open!

Something inside me snaps. The careful control I’ve maintained for weeks crumbles to dust.

I step out from behind the tree, smoothing down my dress, plastering my signature fake smile on my face. By the time I reach them, I look perfectly composed. Same old sweet Virginia, just like they know.

“There you are!” I call out, my voice bright with false cheer.

They all turn at the same time. The shock on James and Blair’s faces is almost worth the rage burning in my chest. Almost. But they lied to me, so they’ll have hell of a price to pay.

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“Virginia! Sweetheart, what are you doing here?” Blair cries out, reaching for my hands.

“I could ask you the same thing.” I let just a hint of hurt creep into my tone. “I thought you were visiting the Hendersons.”

James clears his throat. “We were, but then we thought… we wanted to see Lily…”

“Of course you did.” I move closer to the group, noting how Scarlett instinctively steps back, and Jasper’s jaw tightens at the action. Good. They should be nervous.

“Virginia.” Scarlett’s voice is neutral, detached even. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” I echo, my smile never wavering. “What a lovely surprise to find everyone here. Almost like a family reunion.”

The word ‘family‘ hangs in the air and I bask in the awkward silence it spreads among them.

Lily, oblivious to the tension, runs up to me with her face paint glittering. “Look, Aunt Virginia! I’m a butterfly!”

“You’re beautiful, sweetheart,” I say, and for once, I mean it. The child isn’t to blame for her mother’s crimes. Too bad she just had to be Scarlett Stone’s daughter.

“We should probably head home,” Scarlett says, reaching for Lily’s hand.

“Actually, I’m glad I found you all together.” I straighten my shoulders, letting my voice carry just far enough for them to hear. “I have some news.”

“What news?” Jasper frowns, and I catch the wariness in his tone.

I move closer to him, close enough to smell his cologne. “I’ve been accepted to a graduate program in Europe. Cambridge, actually.”

Blair gasps. James’s eyebrows shoot up. Scarlett goes eerily still.

But it’s Jasper’s reaction I care about most. The way his face goes blank, then confusion fills his eyes before he finally manages to say, “congratulations.”

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