When the Heart Dies

The day before yesterday, Scarlett had a craving for clam chowder.

When Grandma heard about it, she braved the rain to go to the market for fresh ingredients. On the way, she slipped and fell, hitting her head.

Grandma seemed fine at the time and did not want to trouble Scarlett. I was away on a business trip when I got the call, so I immediately phoned Scarlett and asked her to take Grandma to the hospital for a checkup.

Scarlett refused, saying she had an important client meeting with Chase at the time and did not have time to deal with it.

Left with no choice, I called an ambulance myself and asked a neighbor for help getting Grandma to the hospital.

It was because of that delay that after several hours in the operating room, Grandma ultimately did not make it.

Her only thought before closing her eyes was seeing Scarlett one more time to tell her the chowder was ready.

Afterward, I discovered that the hotel Chase and Scarlett had checked into was right next to our house, less than 300 feet away.

If Scarlett had spared even a moment of her time, Grandma might have survived.

I turned off the lights and pulled the covers over me, forcing down my emotions as I tried to fall asleep when Scarlett came in.

She had taken a shower and put on lingerie before habitually lying down beside me. "Still mad at me?"

I curled up on one side, saying nothing. Scarlett reached over, wrapped her arms around me, and gently kissed my back.

"Honey, I admit I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied to you.

"But Chase and I really do have a pure friendship. That necklace doesn't mean anything. Stop overthinking it.

"You're not a child anymore. Why are you throwing a tantrum? Did you really mean what you said about divorce?

"If Grandma found out, she would be so upset."

I spoke coldly. "Don't bring up Grandma. You have no right to."

Scarlett sat up and turned on the light, her temper flaring. "Ron, don't push your luck. Haven't I apologized enough already?

"Grandma treats me like her own granddaughter. Why can't I mention her?

"You don't believe me? I'll call Grandma right now and have her come over to settle this."

"Go ahead." With that, I got up from the bed and left the bedroom for the study.

Scarlett froze for a moment, then slammed the door shut.

The next morning, I came downstairs to see Chase sitting in his Mercedes, smoking a cigarette with a bouquet of flowers on the passenger seat.

When he saw me, he stubbed out his cigarette and waved. "Morning, Ron. Where's Scarlett?"

I let out a cold laugh. "She's upstairs. Go find her yourself."

Just then, Scarlett came down in high heels. She had changed into a new pair of black stockings and put on smoky eye makeup that gave her an icy, seductive look.

Desire flashed in Chase's eyes as he immediately got out of the car to greet her.

"Scarlett, you look absolutely stunning today. Even these flowers pale in comparison to you.

"I ordered these first thing this morning. Happy Valentine's Day."

Scarlett could not resist such sweet talk. She glanced at me casually, accepted the flowers, and thanked him.

I smiled, though my eyes were ice cold.

Chase continued maintaining his image. "Ron, don't read too much into this. Scarlett and I made a little pact back in the day about flowers on Valentine's Day.

"I was studying abroad before and didn't have time, so now that I'm back I want to make up for it."

Scarlett glanced at me and climbed into the passenger seat with an air of superiority. "Let's go. There’s no point explaining too much to this blockhead."

Chase pretended to be surprised. "What happened? Did you two have a fight?"

"As if he would dare. He just brought up divorce with me." Scarlett still had that spoiled heiress attitude. "Just because you gave me a necklace."

Chase wanted to laugh but held it back. He looked at me with undisguised contempt.

"Oh come on, Ron. I thought it was something serious. That necklace was actually meant for my mom."