Page 52 of Saving Scarlett
We stood in silence for a moment, the steady beep of monitors and hushed voices of the ICU enveloping us. Although her mother wasn’t in the room, I imagined Caroline would return soon.
“Bane?”
His eyes met mine, sea glass blue and deep as the ocean.
“I’m here for you. Both of you.” I squeezed his hand, willing him to understand what I couldn’t yet say out loud. That I would stay by his side through all his darkness, accept his darkness, just as he’d stayed with me through mine.
The lines on his forehead smoothed ever so slightly, and he lifted my hand to his lips.
“I know, and I’ll do the same for you. We’re in this together, Little Red. You’re now part of my family too. All you need now, or when you’re ready, is my ring on your finger.”
Just as my heart flipped at what had almost seemed like a proposal, his sister’s voice broke the moment.
“She’s right, you know.”
We both turned to see Caroline standing in the doorway, a tired smile on her face. Crossing over to us, she placed a hand on Bane’s shoulder.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Evelyn this happy before,” she continued, blinking back tears. “The way her face lit up when you and Scarlett walked in...”Caroline took my hand in both of hers, squeezing gently. “Thank you for being here. For bringing that light back into her eyes.” She glanced between Ethan and me. “For both of them.”
The words made my heart swell, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat before I could speak. “Of course. Ethan has lit up my life just as much as I’ve lit up his, and I’m just so glad I could meet the both of you. She’s a fighter, that one.”
Caroline nodded, pride and pain mingling in her expression. “That she is.”
We stood in a circle then, hands clasped together, drawing strength from one another. Evelyn lay sleeping, her chest rising and falling steadily, the monitor beeping in a rhythmic lullaby.
At that moment, we were no longer alone on our individual journeys. We had become a family, bound by hope and love. And together, we would make it through the darkness into the light.
Chapter 43
The Survivor
One Month Later
The brass bell above the door chimed as I stepped into my Tangled in the Pages, its familiar melody sending a wave of nostalgia washing over me. Excitement and nervousness fluttered in my chest like dueling butterflies, unsure whether to take flight or remain grounded. My eyes scanned the cozy interior, drinking in the sight of the shelves brimming with stories waiting to be discovered. With the media and investigation surrounding Joshua’s death, I hadn’t stepped into my bookstore in a month, but with Christmas right around the corner, my store needed me. If I were to be honest, I needed it as well.
“Scarlett!” In the stillness of the not-yet-open bookstore, Ashley’s voice pierced through the silence. She rushed over to me, her black curls bouncing with every step. “You’re back!”
The sight of her made me feel like I was choked by the emotions welling up inside of me. Having been away from these walls for so long, it was like returning home to the solace of the books, and the warmth of the employees that have turned into my family. “Hey, Ash.”
A moment later, Jack appeared from behind a bookshelf, his eyes brightening as he noticed me. It didn’t take long for his tall, lanky frame to close the distance. It was like receiving a balm for my bruised heart when they both wrapped their arms around me.
“Welcome back, Scarlett,” Jack said, his stoic exterior cracking beneath the relief in his voice.
“I missed you guys,” I choked out, tears streaming down my cheeks. Having their unwavering support meant the world to me, and I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was to have them.
“Alright, enough with the waterworks,” Ashley said in her no-nonsense manager voice, breaking our embrace and wiping away her own tears. “Let’s settle you in and catch up on all the gossip you missed. One of our new seasonal employees is a hot mess.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m sure Manager Ashley can whip her into shape.”
With the side-eye she shot at me, I realized I needed to know more about this new employee. Anything to get my mind off the drama of my own life. I was just relieved that things had finally started to settle down.
“Scarlett,” Jack said, drawing me back to the present, “just remember that we’re here for you. If you need anything or if you want to talk about… well, anything, just let us know.”
I nodded, patting him on the back. “Thank you, Jack.”
With opening time fast approaching, I pulled on my apron and took my place behind the counter, ready to dive back into the world of books and coffee—ready to see my regulars again and create a new routine no longer shadowed by an abusive husband.
Watching Ashley and Jack flit about the store, completing their opening procedures like a well-oiled machine, I couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t thank you both enough for everything you’ve done while I was away,” I said, my eyes welling up with tears as I took in their warm smiles. “Your support means the world to me.”