"Scarlett!"
The sting on his cheek made Ethan's face darken.
Anger mixed with an inexplicable frustration.

"Don't think I'll tolerate you forever! Get this straight! My world isn't monochrome just because of you anymore! You're not that special! You're not unique!"
I watched his outburst calmly. Finally, I spoke.
"Finished? Good. Now get out. And from now on, we're done."
He froze mid-step, turning back, disbelief written all over his face.
His chest heaved, anger making his eyes redden.
"Fine! You said it!" He spun around, giving me a cold sneer. "If we're nothing, then you're just a Rivers servant! Servants donate skin to the lady of the house. That's how it works!"

"Guards!"
My eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?"
Ethan barked orders at the three black-suited men who rushed in.
"Restrain Scarlett Rossi! Take her straight to OR. Prep for skin graft surgery. Now!"

"You're insane!" Seeing the guards advance, I struggled to get up and slapped him hard across the face. "Ethan Rivers, you bastard!"
He licked his split lip, closing his eyes briefly. "Do it!"
With my injured back, I was no match for three grown men. I could only watch as they tied my wrists and ankles.
Just as Ethan reached the door, I locked eyes with him, burning with intensity.
"Ethan Rivers, remember this. From now on, we're enemies!"
His hand froze on the doorknob. He paused.
"You brought this on yourself, Scarlett. I told you. I can spoil you, but you don't get to defy me!"
After Ethan left, I was rushed to the OR.
As the anesthetic flooded my veins, the image of the gentle boy surfaced again.
"Don't be scared, little Scarlett! I will always protect you!"
When I woke again, it was pitch black outside.
Besides the agony in my back, a new, sharp pain radiated from my waist.
I closed my eyes, feeling utterly parched.
My phone buzzed. I picked it up.
"Mr. Sinclair. What do you want?"
The voice on the other end paused. "Scarlett? Are you okay? You sound..."
My nose stung. Even an outsider could tell, yet Ethan could be so cruel.
"Fine. What is it?"
He got straight to the point. "The same thing I've asked a hundred times, Scarlett. I need you. I need you here with me."
Back when I loved Ethan, I always refused instantly.
Now...
"Do one thing for me."
He didn't hesitate. "Anything. Name it."
A moment later, I hung up. A strange sense of relief washed over me.
"Who were you talking to?"
Ethan walked in but avoided my overly cold eyes
He stepped closer, offering painkillers, his voice softer now.
"Look, this is over, okay? You can still stay by my side. Just... stay away from Viv."
I snorted. Where did he get this arrogance?
"Ethan Rivers, you think way too highly of yourself. What makes you think I'd ever want to be near you again?"
The question threw him. In his world, me leaving or not loving him wasn't an option.
"Stop being dramatic. I know you won't leave. Besides, where would you go? You've got no one."
With that, he turned and left.
I laughed, the sound full of scorn.
Thinking about what Mr. Sinclair had promised, imagining Ethan's future misery, a dark anticipation stirred.
But I never imagined Ethan would go this far for Vivian!