Outside the gates, Ethan leaned on a bodyguard. His world was pitch black.
Strangely, he was almost grateful.
Afraid to see the hatred in my eyes.

That look didn't belong on my face.
Hearing footsteps, his heart raced. He swallowed, his voice rough. "Scarlett? I came to take you home. I was wrong. Let's talk? Please? I—"
"Hah!"
The derisive snort stopped him cold.
"Alexander Sinclair?!" Ethan recoiled, face flushing with humiliation. "Where is Scarlett? What have you done with her?!"
"I want to see her, not you. Get lost."

Ethan's anger warred with panic. Why wouldn't I even come out? Didn't I know he was sorry?
Alexander's laugh was icy, his eyes promising violence. "Ethan Rivers, letting her go before wasn't fear. It was because I couldn't bear to hurt her. But you? What did you do?! If I hadn't taken her, she'd be dead because of you!"
"I..."
Ethan opened his mouth, but no words came. He couldn't defend the indefensible.

Old Mr. Rivers stepped in. "Alexander. My grandson erred. But this is between us and Scarlett. Let us speak with her. Misunderstandings need clearing."
Alexander was about to refuse when I walked out, wrapped in a silk robe. My back wouldn't tolerate anything else.
"Mr. Rivers. There's no misunderstanding. Everything is perfectly clear."
Ethan's face lit up, though he saw nothing. "Scarlett!" He stumbled forward. "I know! I know what you did for me! And Vivian... she was using me! She wanted revenge! Scarlett, I'm sorry! Please, forgive me! Come home!"
I watched him for two seconds. Once, my greatest fear was Ethan getting hurt.
I'd endured his disgust just to stay near him.
Now, seeing him blind... I felt only relief.
An invisible chain shattered.
My voice was pure ice. "Ethan Rivers, you did nothing wrong. You never think you do. You're just terrified of being useless. To you, I'm just a tool."
"No!" Ethan swayed, the denial ripped from him. "Scarlett! Twenty years! You mean more to me than anyone! This past year... I was blind! Stupid!"
I looked at him, finding it pathetic. "More than anyone? Remember what you did? Letting me get blown up? Ripping skin off me right after surgery? Draining my blood days later? Hah..."
My voice shook. Even now, the memories were raw.
Then, a cool hand enveloped mine, warming it. I looked up into Alexander's eyes, filled with such tenderness it hurt.
Ethan flinched, seeing nothing but sensing it. Regret crashed over him, bending his proud posture.
"Scarlett, I regret it... so much..."
"But there's no undo button! Get out, Ethan Rivers. I never want to see you again. Enjoy your eternal darkness!"
I turned, pulling Alexander with me, back towards the house.
Later, I truly never saw Ethan Rivers again.
Not because he gave up.
Because after leaving that day, drowning in despair, Ethan got drunk. Blind and stumbling, he wandered into the street.
A speeding semi-truck didn't stop.
They found him later, broken and sightless eyes staring at nothing. Karma, served cold.
My life? My real life? It was just beginning.