From Prison To Power: Rise Of The War Goddess

Scarlett Hayes thought marrying James Whitmore would finally make her family see her as more than a burden.

Instead, it destroyed her life.

Framed for crimes she didn’t commit, betrayed by the people she trusted most, and sentenced to prison while pregnant, Scarlett lost everything in a single night.

Then came the cruelest blow of all.

After giving birth in chains, she was told her baby had died.

The people responsible believed she would spend the rest of her life rotting behind bars.

They were wrong.

Five years later, Scarlett returns.

No longer the discarded daughter of the Hayes family. No longer the broken woman they left behind.

Now she is Commander Scarlett Hayes—a decorated war hero, the unseen force behind a global intelligence empire, and a woman powerful enough to make governments tremble.

She comes back for one reason only: revenge.

Her ex-husband, the stepsister who stole her life, and the family who buried her alive are about to learn exactly what happens when a woman with nothing left to lose takes back everything they stole.

But as Scarlett tears through the secrets of her past, one truth threatens to change everything—

the child she mourned for years may not be dead.

And the mysterious man connected to the night that changed her life has been watching from the shadows all along.

The War Goddess Returns

A baby’s cry cut through the sterile room.

Just once.

Thin. Fragile.

Then silence.

Fear surged through Scarlett as she strained against the chains binding her wrists and ankles to the hospital bed.

“Where’s my baby?” she asked, her voice barely steady.

The nurse hesitated.

Then, quietly, “We’re sorry. He didn’t make it.”

....

“Commander?”

Scarlett opened her eyes.

The private jet cabin sharpened into view.

For a brief second, her breathing remained uneven. Then the emotion vanished, buried beneath the same calm control she had worn for years.

Howard stood a respectful distance away.

“We’ll be landing any minute now.”

Scarlett turned toward the window.

Below, the city stretched beneath the clouds—the same skyline that had once destroyed her.

Her reflection stared back at her in the glass.

Cold. Composed. Untouchable.

Outside—

“Clear the terminal!”

The command rang across the airport.

Within seconds, armed personnel moved into position with flawless precision, locking down the arrivals hall and forming two rigid lines along the center path.

On the tarmac, military helicopters circled overhead while black armored SUVs stood in perfect formation. Officials, business leaders, and decorated officers waited in silence.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Every eye remained fixed on the private jet as its door opened.

Then she stepped out.

She moved through the aircraft doors in black tactical gear, the tailored fit sharp against her frame. Every step was measured, effortless—yet the quiet authority in her presence made the entire crowd hold its breath.

She looked far too young for the kind of power that followed her.

But the instant her boots touched the tarmac, no one questioned who she was.

“Commander Hayes.”

The senior officer nearest the runway lowered his head.

In the next breath, every soldier dropped to one knee.

The sound rolled across the airstrip.

Scarlett paused, her expression unreadable as she took in the display.

Then her gaze shifted to the man behind her.

“Howard,” she said, calm but unmistakably displeased, “I asked for discretion.”

Her voice was quiet.

It carried anyway.

Howard straightened at once.

“My apologies, Commander. I wasn’t aware they planned this.”

For a brief moment, the tension in the air sharpened.

Then Scarlett looked away.

“Stand them down.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Within minutes, the helicopters peeled off, the vehicles cleared, and the officials dispersed.

The spectacle vanished as quickly as it had formed.

Howard stepped closer.

“Where to now?”

Scarlett’s gaze remained fixed on the runway ahead.

“Prison.”

For the first time, Howard faltered.

“…Prison?”

She didn’t answer right away.

Her expression remained still, unreadable.

Five years ago, she’d been dragged back into a family that had never wanted her.

Raised far from the city, she was treated like a stain on their polished reputation—the forgotten daughter they only acknowledged when it suited them.

She spent years trying to earn their acceptance.

Trying to be enough.

Trying to belong.

So when they told her to marry James Whitmore—the heir to one of the city’s most influential families—she agreed.

She thought maybe, just maybe, that if she played the role they wanted, things would finally change.

She was wrong.

On the day of the wedding, everything unraveled.

James had already been sleeping with her stepsister, Sadie.

Together, they accused Scarlett of infidelity.

They claimed she was pregnant with another man’s child.

That was when Scarlett realized the truth.

The man she had spent the night with weeks earlier—the one she believed was James—had never been him.

It had all been arranged.

Every detail.

And when Sadie staged a miscarriage to make it look as though Scarlett had attacked her, the family turned on her without hesitation.

Her parents never asked for the truth.

They never cared.

They made their choice.

Scarlett was beaten, humiliated, and thrown into prison.

Later, Sadie came to visit.

Smiling.

She admitted everything.

The pregnancy had been fake.

The blood had been staged.

The miscarriage had never happened.

It was all a performance.

Scarlett had lunged at the glass, desperate to tear her apart.

But bars and chains had a way of making fury useless.

There was only one reason she survived those months.

The child growing inside her.

The child whose father she had never known.

And then, after a brutal labor in a prison infirmary—

the baby died.

She never got to hold them.

Never saw their face.

James took the body.

And that was the end of it.

Or at least, that’s what they thought.

Because fate had other plans.

A classified military recruitment program identified Scarlett’s combat aptitude during her incarceration.

She was transferred under sealed orders.

What followed was years of war zones, black-ops missions, and survival in places designed to break people.

Instead, she rose.

She became one of the most decorated commanders in modern military history.

She built an intelligence and security network powerful enough to rival governments.

And she earned a reputation that made enemies surrender before she ever stepped onto the battlefield.

Now she was home.

And this time, she wasn’t coming back as the girl they destroyed.

She was returning as the woman they would fear.

Howard cleared his throat carefully.

“You don’t have to go back there.”

Scarlett turned to him.

Her expression was calm.

Too calm.

“You face the place that broke you.”

Then she added, almost quietly—

“And you make sure it never can again.”

...

At the correctional facility, Scarlett changed into a plain prison uniform, stripped of anything that made her recognizable.

No medals.

No rank.

No armor.

She wanted to see who would come for the version of her they thought still existed.

When she stepped outside, two people were waiting.

James Whitmore.

And Sadie Hayes.

Of course.

Her mother was nowhere in sight.

James approached first, holding a folder in one hand.

He looked at her with open contempt.

“Sign the divorce papers. You’ll receive five hundred thousand dollars as settlement.”

Scarlett glanced at the folder, then at him.

A laugh slipped out—low and cold.

“Five hundred thousand?”

She tilted her head.

“That’s what you think my silence costs?”

James’s jaw tightened.

“Don’t make this difficult. I’m marrying Sadie. We’re giving you more than you deserve.”

Scarlett looked at him for a long moment.

Then her gaze shifted to Sadie, who stood smugly at his side.

“So this is generosity?”

Her voice sharpened.

“Tell me, James… can you return the child you stole from me?”

Neither of them answered.

“Can you give me back the five years I lost?”

His face hardened.

“That child was a mistake. An embarrassment. You should’ve been grateful we cleaned it up.”

The world seemed to stop.

Howard, standing at a distance, felt the temperature in the air drop.

Scarlett’s fingers curled into a fist.

When she looked back at James, there was nothing human in her eyes.

Only judgment.

Only death.

Slowly, she reached for the divorce papers.

James smirked, assuming victory.

She signed.

Then, with one swift motion, she slapped the folder across his face so hard it sent him staggering backward.

The crack echoed through the parking lot.

He stared at her in disbelief.

Scarlett stepped closer.

“This divorce?”

Her voice was razor-sharp.

“You don’t get to request it.”

She met his eyes without blinking.

“You were never worthy of me.”

A pause.

Then—

“I’m the one leaving you behind.”

***

The Difference

James looked like he was seconds away from snapping.

“Scarlett… Hayes.”

Her name came out through clenched teeth, each syllable heavy with barely contained rage.

Just as he was about to lose control, Sadie reached out and gently tugged on his sleeve.

“James… maybe I should talk to her,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “At the end of the day… I’m the one who hurt her first.”

The sight of her teary, guilt-stricken face made his chest tighten.

In his eyes, Scarlett had wronged Sadie over and over again—she had even cost them their child.

And yet Sadie had never blamed her.

Instead, she blamed herself—for “taking him away,” for everything that had happened.

How could someone be this selfless?

“Please… let me talk to her,” Sadie whispered, fragile and pleading.

James hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped aside.

The second she stood in front of Scarlett—

Everything about her changed.

The tears disappeared. In their place came a cold, mocking smile.

“Scarlett, that prison uniform really suited you,” she said with a sneer. “Honestly, you should’ve stayed locked up for life.”

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed, irritation flickering across her face.

“I’m not in the mood for your games,” she said flatly. “But don’t worry—you won’t have to wait long.”

Her lips curved slightly.

“I heard your wedding’s in three days. I’ll be there.”

A brief pause.

“To settle the score.”

Sadie’s heart skipped.

For just a split second, unease flickered across her expression.

What was Scarlett planning?

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it came.

She scoffed, her gaze full of disdain.

“As if you could do anything,” she said with a laugh. “Go ahead. Try.”

Her tone sharpened, turning vicious.

“Let me make one thing clear—no matter what you do, you’ll always be nothing more than a rat living in my shadow.”

“James is mine.”

“Your mother? Mine too.”

“You’ve already lost, Scarlett. Completely.”

Scarlett looked at her the way someone might watch a clown on stage.

One brow arched slightly, her expression lazy, almost amused.

“Don’t you think you’re celebrating a little too early?”

“Oh? Still not giving up?” Sadie smirked.

Then, glancing quickly at James—making sure he wasn’t watching—

She lifted her hand and slapped herself.

SMACK—

Instantly, her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry, sis!” she cried, her voice shaking. “It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have taken James from you! I—I didn’t mean to… I just love him too much… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Scarlett felt a wave of disgust watching the performance.

And yet—

There were always fools willing to believe it.

James rushed forward, pulling Sadie into his arms.

“Sadie! Are you okay?!”

“I’m fine…” she whispered weakly. “Don’t blame her… it’s my fault…”

Her trembling voice and tear-streaked face only fueled his anger.

He spun around, glaring at Scarlett, his eyes blazing.

“Scarlett! How can you be this cruel?! If you’re angry, take it out on me! This has nothing to do with her!”

Scarlett’s gaze drifted lazily toward Sadie.

“I didn’t touch her.”

“You’re still denying it?!” James snapped, his fists clenching.

Scarlett let out a quiet, almost amused breath.

“I can prove it.”

Prove it?

Both James and Sadie froze, confusion flashing across their faces.

How could something like that even be proven?

Before either of them could react—

Scarlett raised her hand.

Then—

CRACK—

Her arm lashed out like a whip.

The impact was explosive.

Sadie spun in place like a top, stumbling in circles before crashing hard onto the ground, limbs sprawled.

Her hair fell into complete disarray.

The right side of her face swelled almost instantly, turning an ugly shade of red.

When she opened her mouth—

Blood poured out.

Along with several teeth.

She looked utterly wrecked.

Sadie stared at Scarlett in shock, her jaw slack.

James stood frozen, his mind completely blank.

No one had expected—

That Scarlett would actually hit her.

And certainly not like that.

In the suffocating silence, Scarlett gave a faint smile.

“See the difference?” she said lightly. “That’s what it looks like when I hit someone.”

If they insisted on framing her—

Then she’d make it real.

Not just real—

Unforgettable.

James’s hands trembled with rage.

“You need to apologize to Sadie!”

Scarlett let out a soft scoff.

“Idiot.”

Even after that, he still couldn’t tell?

She didn’t bother sparing him another glance.

Turning on her heel, she walked away.

“Don’t ignore me!” James roared, lunging forward and grabbing for her shoulder.

Scarlett stopped abruptly.

Her eyes darkened.

Cold. Sharp. Dangerous.

Without even turning fully, she shifted slightly—effortlessly dodging his hand.

Then she moved.

Fast.

She caught his wrist, twisted, and—

In one smooth motion—

Flipped him over her shoulder.

James flew through the air in a clean arc before slamming face-first into the ground.

Hard.

A sickening crack echoed.

Blood gushed from his nose.

Sadie’s face drained of all color.

She had expected James to defend her—

Not… this.

Her neck turned stiffly toward Scarlett, disbelief written all over her face.

Since when was she this strong?

James staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his nose.

The way he looked at Scarlett now—

Was pure hatred.

Scarlett casually raised her fist, a wild grin tugging at her lips.

“What? Want more?”

She took a step forward.

James immediately backed away—again and again—putting distance between them.

Scarlett let out a mocking laugh.

“Pathetic.”

Humiliation burned through him, but he didn’t dare move.

Not after that.

Scarlett turned and walked toward the car parked by the road.

Without looking back, she lifted a hand in a lazy wave.

“See you at the wedding in three days.”

She didn’t have time to waste here.

There were people she needed to see—

Her adoptive parents.

Her brother.

Five years.

It had been five long years.

“Damn it!”

James ground his teeth so hard it felt like they might shatter.

He had always been the one standing above everyone else—untouchable.

And today?

He had been humiliated like never before.

Not only that—

He was supposed to go to the airport with his father to welcome an important figure.

Instead, he came here to force Scarlett to sign the divorce papers.

And what did he get?

Nothing.

He missed everything.

All because of her.

Scarlett.

His expression darkened.

Fine.

If she wanted to show up at the wedding in three days—

Perfect.

He’d make sure she paid for everything.

But remembering her terrifying strength, his eyes narrowed.

He’d need backup.

This time—

He’d make her kneel.

Beg.

...

Inside the car, Howard glanced at Scarlett through the rearview mirror. She had changed into civilian clothes. Her eyes were closed, resting.

“Where to, Commander?”

“My adoptive parents’ place,” she replied calmly. “And from now on, call me Boss. I don’t want my identity exposed.”

“Understood.”

Just then—

A child suddenly ran into the road.

“Shit—!”

Howard jerked the wheel sharply.

The car screeched, barely avoiding the roadside barrier.

Scarlett’s eyes snapped open, her hand gripping the overhead handle.

“What happened?”

“A kid ran out!”

Without hesitation, she pushed the door open and stepped out.

A small boy lay on the ground ahead, struggling to push himself up.

He looked about four or five years old.

“Hey—are you okay?” she asked, hurrying over and helping him to his feet.

Then—

She froze.

The boy’s face…

Why did he look so much like her?

The child’s eyes widened.

He stared at her, bright and clear.

For a few seconds, he said nothing.

Then slowly, uncertainly—

“…Mommy?”

Monster

That single word—

“Mommy…”

It hit Scarlett like a shockwave.

Her heart jolted.

For a split second, she was dragged back four years… back to the tiny life she had lost the moment it entered the world.

If her child were still alive—

He’d be about this age now.

The thought tightened painfully in her chest.

As she looked at the boy, her gaze softened without her realizing it.

A storm of emotions surged through her—

Longing. Grief. Guilt. Tenderness.

Feelings she couldn’t quite name… all tangled together.

At that moment, Howard walked over, his eyes flicking between Scarlett and the boy.

“Bo—Boss… is that your kid?” he blurted, stunned. “He looks just like you. Same eyes, same face—it’s like a copy-paste.”

Good grief.

The leader of Obsidian Unit… the infamous War Goddess…

Had a child?

If word of this got out, it would send shockwaves through the entire underworld.

Scarlett shot him a look.

“I don’t know him,” she said evenly. “He’s probably just scared and mistook me for someone else.”

Still, she studied the boy more closely.

There was a resemblance.

But lookalikes weren’t exactly rare…

And deep down, she knew—

It wasn’t possible.

Her child…

Was gone.

The boy’s expression crumpled the moment he heard her answer.

The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by quiet disappointment.

“Let me check if you’re hurt,” Scarlett said, her voice softening.

But before she could move—

A harsh shout cut through the air behind them.

“There he is! Grab him!”

The boy’s small body stiffened.

His eyes widened in fear as he stared at the group rushing toward them.

“Hey… it’s okay,” Scarlett said gently, resting a hand on his head. “I’ve got you. No one’s going to hurt you.”

The warmth of her touch—

It steadied him almost instantly.

Without thinking, he leaned into her, clinging to that rare sense of safety.

Scarlett rose slowly, her expression turning ice-cold as she faced the group closing in.

“Get over here!” the scar-faced man barked at the boy.

Terrified, the child instinctively wrapped his arms around Scarlett’s leg, holding on tightly.

That was when she noticed—

Bruises on his arms.

Fresh wounds along his neck.

Some still bleeding.

Her eyes darkened instantly.

The air around her seemed to drop in temperature.

They did this…

To a child?

Disgusting.

Before she could speak, the scar-faced man sneered.

“Stay out of this if you know what’s good for you,” he growled. “Or I’ll put you in the ground.”

Howard almost laughed.

Put her in the ground?

The person capable of that probably hadn’t even been born yet.

Cracking his knuckles, he stepped forward—

Only for Scarlett to stop him with a raised arm.

“I’ll handle it.”

Her expression was cold. Merciless.

Like a judge passing sentence.

Four years ago, her child had died.

Back then, she’d been powerless.

Too weak to protect him.

But now—

She would never let something like that happen again.

Howard glanced at her, half amused.

“Boss, these guys aren’t even worth it. Using you on them is like bringing a missile to a street fight.”

Scarlett ignored him.

She gently guided the boy toward him.

“Keep him safe.”

Then—

She moved.

A blur.

Fast as lightning.

Before anyone could react, she was already in front of them.

Her leg snapped out—

BAM—

The impact was brutal.

The man she struck let out a guttural scream as several ribs cracked on the spot. Blood sprayed from his mouth before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

Out cold.

The rest froze.

Fear crept across their faces.

What the hell was she?

Even they weren’t this ruthless.

She broke bones without hesitation—

Without even blinking.

Scarlett turned slowly, her face expressionless.

Her voice was calm.

Cold.

Lethal.

“Who hurt him?”

A pause.

“Break your own arms.”

Arrogant.

Unbelievably arrogant.

“Damn it! You’ve got a death wish!” the scar-faced man spat. “You think you can take us on alone?”

He waved his hand sharply.

“Get her! I don’t care how strong she is—she’s still just one person! The client’s paying a hundred grand each if we bring that kid in!”

That was all it took.

Money lit a fire in their eyes.

“Boss is right! No way we lose to one woman! Get her!”

Fueled by greed, they charged forward, steel pipes raised high.

The boy clenched his small fists, his body tense as he watched Scarlett surrounded.

His eyes filled with worry.

Scarlett, meanwhile, remained perfectly calm.

She rolled her neck.

Cracked her knuckles.

Pop. Pop.

A steel pipe swung straight toward her head—

She raised her hand—

And caught it.

Effortlessly.

The man holding it froze.

He had swung with everything he had.

And she just… stopped it?

But what happened next—

Was worse.

Scarlett tightened her grip.

Creeeak—

The metal started to bend.

Right before their eyes.

Warping. Twisting.

Until—

It folded.

The harsh grinding sound echoed through the sudden silence.

Everyone stopped dead.

No one dared take another step.

Scarlett bent it into a perfect right angle—

Then casually ripped it from his hand and tossed it aside.

Silence.

Heavy.

Suffocating.

Someone swallowed hard.

“Monster… run! RUN!”

Panic broke out instantly.

They scattered in every direction.

Scarlett’s gaze darkened.

The boy’s injuries flashed through her mind.

And then—

Her own child.

If he had lived…

He’d be about this age.

Her eyes narrowed.

Run?

Not happening.

She crouched, scooped up a handful of small stones—

And flicked her wrist.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—

The stones tore through the air with deadly precision.

“AAAGH—!”

One by one, the fleeing men collapsed, clutching their legs, screaming in pain.

The boy’s eyes lit up.

She was incredible.

So strong.

So cool.

She had to be his mom.

He remembered—

He’d dreamed about this before.

A dream where he was in danger, and his mom appeared just in time to save him.

And now—

It was real.

But then—

The scar-faced man, still on the ground, pulled out a gun.

The barrel aimed straight at Scarlett’s head.

“Mommy! Watch out!” the boy screamed, his face going pale.

The trigger was pulled.

BANG—

The bullet fired.

***

I'll Repay You

Scarlett was about to dodge—

When suddenly—

A hand caught her wrist.

Before she could react, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her hard against someone’s chest.

Her forehead hit something solid.

Warm.

Firm.

A man.

Her eyes darkened instantly.

She moved to break free—

But the arm around her tightened, pulling her even closer.

Her expression turned cold.

Was this guy seriously trying something?

Her hand slid to her waist, fingers closing around the hilt of a hidden blade—

But before she could strike—

He let go.

Scarlett stepped back immediately, every nerve on alert as she looked up—

And froze.

For a split second, her pupils shrank.

The man standing in front of her was striking.

Sharp features, as if carved from stone. Strong brows, a straight, defined nose, and thin lips that naturally carried a hint of severity.

There was an effortless elegance about him—

The kind that couldn’t be faked. The kind that came from power, from upbringing, from standing at the very top.

But what caught her off guard the most—

Was how much he resembled the boy.

Father and son?

While Scarlett studied him—

He studied her.

Carefully.

Silently.

Behind his back, his fingers brushed lightly together—the same hand that had just been around her waist.

His dark eyes stayed fixed on her.

Unblinking.

Then—

The boy ran over on unsteady legs and threw his arms around Scarlett’s leg, clinging to her like he never planned to let go.

“Mommy! Mommy! I finally found you!” he cried, tears streaming down his face.

Mommy?

Theron’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

His gaze flicked between Scarlett and the boy.

Looking closer—

There really was a resemblance.

Could it be…

That night, five years ago—

Was it her?

His eyes sharpened slightly as his gaze moved to the corner of her eye.

Nothing.

No mark.

That night, his mind had been clouded, his memory incomplete—but one detail had stayed clear.

The woman had a small red mark near her eye.

Scarlett didn’t.

Her skin there was flawless.

And besides—

He had found the child abandoned in a trash bin.

What kind of mother would do that?

Someone capable of that kind of cruelty…

Couldn’t be the same woman who had just risked everything to protect a child.

No.

It wasn’t her.

Scarlett looked down at the boy, his face streaked with tears. She frowned slightly and wiped them away.

“Hey. Easy,” she said, her voice gentler now. “You don’t have to cry like that. If you’re hurt, deal with it—but don’t fall apart over it.”

“O-Okay…” the boy sniffed, trying hard to hold it together. “Theo will be good… I’ll listen to Mommy…”

His eyes were still glassy, trembling with tears he refused to let fall.

He was scared—

That if he cried, she wouldn’t like him anymore.

Scarlett paused.

“You said your name is Theo?”

The boy nodded quickly.

“Yeah! Theo is my nickname. My full name is Theodore Cross!”

He looked up at her, hopeful. Expectant.

Still calling her Mommy.

Strangely—

Scarlett didn’t mind it.

Every time he said it, something in her chest softened.

It felt… natural.

Familiar.

Almost like—

He really belonged to her.

“Listen,” she said, her tone gentler now. “I’m not your mom. If you don’t believe me… ask your dad.”

As she spoke—

Theron had already walked over.

Scarlett straightened and faced him. “He’s probably just shaken up and confused me with someone else.”

“He doesn’t have a mother,” Theron said calmly, his gaze steady.

Scarlett raised a brow.

And why was he telling her that?

Before she could ask—

His voice lowered slightly, smooth and controlled.

“You saved my son.”

A brief pause.

“I owe you. Name your price—whatever you want.”

“I don’t need anything,” Scarlett replied without hesitation. “I helped him because I wanted to.”

Theron studied her for a moment.

That confirmed it.

A woman like her—

Calm. Decisive. Protective—

There was no way she was the one who had abandoned this child.

“Saving him makes you someone I owe,” he said. “I’ll repay you. No matter what it takes.”

Scarlett frowned, a flicker of impatience crossing her face.

“I said—I don’t want money.”

Theron went quiet for a few seconds.

Then slowly—

A faint smile touched his lips.

His gaze locked onto hers.

“What about me?”

“…What?” Scarlett blinked, caught off guard.

She stared into his eyes—

Dark. Focused. Entirely on her.

Like nothing else existed.

Before she could respond—

He added, just as calmly,

“If you don’t want money… then I’ll repay you with myself.”

Scarlett stared at him, momentarily speechless.

So that’s what he meant.

Even Howard looked stunned. He’d been with Scarlett for years—this was the first time he’d ever seen someone come at her like this.

But the happiest one—

Was Theo.

He grabbed Scarlett’s hand with one hand, Theron’s with the other, his face lighting up.

“This is perfect! I have a mommy now! I have a real family!”

Scarlett looked at his bright, hopeful smile—

And for once…

She couldn’t bring herself to break it.

But then—

Theo’s eyes suddenly rolled back.

His body went limp.

“Theo!”

Scarlett reacted instantly, catching him before he hit the ground. His face was flushed. She pressed a hand to his forehead—

Burning.

“He’s got a fever,” she said sharply, looking up at Theron.

Theron took the boy from her arms.

After a couple of steps, he stopped—and turned back.

“You’re not coming with us?”

Scarlett’s gaze lingered on Theo for a moment before she looked away.

“Like I said, I helped because I wanted to. I don’t need repayment—especially not… that.”

Theron’s brows drew together slightly.

When he spoke, his voice was calm—but absolute.

“I don’t go back on my word.”

A beat.

“I said I’d repay you with myself. I meant it.”

His eyes held hers.

“Wait for me. I’ll come find you.”

And just like that—

He turned and walked away, long strides carrying him to the car, Theo still in his arms.

The car pulled off.

Scarlett stood there, watching the taillights disappear into the distance.

“…Whether you keep your promise or not—what does that have to do with me?” she muttered under her breath.

Then she turned and got back into her own car.

Her Family

Inside the other car—

Theron watched Scarlett’s vehicle disappear in the rearview mirror, then looked away.

“Find out who she is,” he said. “I want a full profile.”

Rhys nodded from the driver’s seat. “I’ll take care of it.”

Still, the request didn’t sit right.

Theron had never shown interest in women. Not once.

So why her?

It wasn’t just her looks. That wasn’t enough to catch his attention.

There had to be more to it.

Theron lowered his gaze to the boy in his arms.

Theo’s skin burned with fever. His breathing came shallow and uneven, each breath weaker than the last.

This wasn’t new.

Four years ago, Theron had found him in a trash bin—barely alive, poisoned, clinging to whatever strength he had left.

They saved him.

But not completely.

Since then, the fevers kept coming back. Ten days at a time. Sometimes longer. Each one worse than the last.

The doctors hadn’t sugarcoated it.

If this kept up—

Theo didn’t have much time.

“Any updates on Dr. Nyx?” Theron asked.

Rhys shook his head. “Nothing concrete. He’s off the grid. And even if we find him… there’s no guarantee he’ll agree to help.”

Theron’s expression hardened.

“Find him.”

A beat.

“Whatever it takes.”

The temperature in the car seemed to drop.

Rhys tightened his grip on the wheel. “Understood.”

In his arms, Theo shifted slightly.

A faint sound slipped from his lips.

“Mo… Mommy…”

Theron went still.

The word came again, weak and broken.

“Mommy…”

He knew who the boy meant.

Not the woman who gave birth to him.

Her.

Scarlett.

As for Theo’s real mother—

The woman who had thrown him away like he was nothing—

Theron’s gaze turned cold.

He would find her.

And when he did—

She wouldn’t get away with it.

Meanwhile—

Scarlett had just stepped out of the car when a sudden unease hit her.

Her hand went to her chest.

A dull, twisting pain tightened around her ribs, sharp enough to make her pause.

“Are you okay?” Howard asked.

“I’m fine.”

She lowered her hand, her gaze settling on the small house beneath the wide, shadowy branches of a banyan tree.

This was it.

After her mother remarried, Scarlett had been left behind in the countryside with her father—a gambler who barely cared whether she lived or died.

One day, he disappeared.

No warning. No explanation.

Just gone.

She would have starved—

If the Monroe family hadn’t taken her in.

They raised her like their own.

Louie treated her like a real sister.

For a while, she had something that felt like a home.

Until five years ago, when her biological mother came back and took her away.

After that, the Monroes moved to the city and built a quiet life on the outskirts.

They had always been good to her.

Better than family.

And now, after five years—

She was finally back.

Her throat tightened.

Scarlett stepped forward and knocked on the door.

A moment later, it opened.

“Lettie!”

Amy stood there, her face lighting up—then faltering.

“I’m sorry… we couldn’t come get you today—”

“It’s okay,” Scarlett said softly. “I’m not a kid anymore.”

She stepped inside—

And stopped.

The yard was a mess.

Chairs overturned. Dirt disturbed. Something had happened here.

Her expression sharpened.

“What happened?”

Amy hesitated, her shoulders sinking slightly.

“Come in first,” she said. “It’s been a long time. Go see Louie.”

Scarlett frowned.

If he was home, why hadn’t he come out?

A second later, she got her answer.

A wheelchair rolled into view from the hallway.

Scarlett froze.

“…Louie?”

Her voice broke.

Her eyes dropped instantly to his legs.

She crossed the room in two quick steps, reaching for the blanket covering them.

“Don’t,” he said, catching her wrist. “You don’t need to see it.”

Her jaw tightened.

“Let go.”

“Lettie—”

“Let go.”

Her voice was low. Steady. Not a request.

Louie held her gaze for a second—

Then slowly released her.

He looked away.

Scarlett pulled the blanket back—

And everything inside her went cold.

His legs were ruined.

Twisted at unnatural angles, the damage severe enough that it was obvious—this hadn’t been treated properly. Maybe it couldn’t be.

Either way, it was permanent.

Hard to even look at.

“Who did this?” she asked.

Her voice was quiet. Too quiet.

Louie pulled the blanket back over his legs. “Drop it. We can’t take them on.”

Scarlett let out a slow breath.

“There’s no one I can’t deal with,” she said.

“Just tell me who it was.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Not this time,” Louie said, meeting her eyes. “You just got back. Let it go. We’ll keep things simple. That’s enough.”

He meant it.

So did Amy.

They were afraid she’d do something reckless.

Scarlett saw it clearly.

So she let it go.

For now.

Her gaze fell back to his legs.

“…Can it be fixed?”

Louie gave a short, humorless laugh. “Every specialist I saw said the same thing. I’m not walking again.”

He tried to sound fine with it.

He wasn’t.

Scarlett didn’t react.

“I know someone,” she said. “If anyone can fix this, he can.”

Louie shook his head. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

“He’s not like the others.”

She turned to Howard. “Get Dr. Nyx here.”

Howard nodded. “I’ll reach out—”

“Wait.”

Scarlett held out her hand.

“I’ll call him.”

She dialed.

The line picked up after a few rings.

“Well, this is a surprise,” an older man said. “Didn’t think you remembered me.”

“Where are you?” Scarlett asked. “I need you here.”

A pause.

“What happened? You’re hurt?”

“It’s not me. It’s my brother, Louie. His legs are badly damaged. I need you in the capital. Tonight.”

“Tonight?” he scoffed. “I’m in the U.S. Even if I leave now—”

Scarlett glanced at Howard.

“Call in a military jet,” she said. “Have it ready.”

Silence.

Then—

“Don’t you dare,” the man snapped. “I’m not making a scene like that.”

A beat.

“…I’ll book a flight. Earliest one I can get. Just don’t send anyone after me.”

The call ended.

Not long after, his assistant stepped into the room.

“Someone from Cross Corp reached out,” he said. “They’re offering a huge f*e for a private consult.”

“No time,” the man replied, already grabbing his coat. “I’ve got somewhere to be.”

“Should I decline it?”

“Yeah.”

He didn’t even hesitate.

“Book me the next flight out.”

Revenge

Theo lay unconscious in the hospital bed, his small face flushed with fever. An IV line ran into his arm, the steady drip the only sign of control in an otherwise worsening situation.

When Rhys stepped inside, he immediately felt it-

The tension.

Theron sat beside the bed, silent, still, but the pressure around him was suffocating.

"Sir," Rhys said quietly.

Theron stood without a word and walked out. Rhys followed, and the door clicked shut behind them.

"Any update on Nyx?" Theron asked.

"We reached him," Rhys said carefully. "He refused."

The air shifted.

Rhys didn't pause.

"But I tracked his movements. He's heading to the capital-someone important is here. He's already booked a flight. Arrival should be tomorrow afternoon. I'll have people waiting at the airport."

"No."

Theron's voice cut clean through the hallway.

"I'll go."

Rhys blinked, then nodded. "Understood."

Theron didn't explain.

He didn't need to.

If Nyx was as difficult as they said-

Sending someone else wouldn't be enough.

Monroe Residence

Dinner had just ended when Howard returned.

Scarlett set her glass down.

"Mom, Louie-I need to step out for a bit. Something came up."

Amy looked concerned, but didn't stop her. Louie just gave a small nod.

Outside, Scarlett didn't waste time.

"Well?"

Howard's expression darkened. "I found out who did it."

A pause.

"It was Colin Drake."

Scarlett's eyes went cold.

"Why?"

Howard hesitated, just for a second.

"Louie's fiancée thought he wasn't good enough for her. She got involved with Colin. Louie caught them together... confronted him."

He exhaled slowly.

"It turned into a fight. Colin had his guys step in. They broke Louie's legs... then wrecked the yard."

Silence.

"And now," Howard added, "she's engaged to Colin."

A sharp crack echoed as Scarlett's fingers tightened into a fist.

The air around her seemed to shift.

"Where is he?"

"At a club."

Scarlett got there fast.

Too fast.

Inside the private room, Colin Drake was exactly where you'd expect him to be-sprawled across a couch, surrounded by women.

One draped over his left arm. Another leaning into his shoulder.

He laughed, careless, indulgent.

"Oh, you're awful," one of them teased, pressing closer.

"Yeah?" Colin smirked. "You like that, don't you?"

He leaned in for another kiss-

The door slammed open.

Hard.

The entire room went still.

Colin turned, annoyed-

Then froze.

His gaze locked onto Scarlett.

And shifted instantly.

Interest. Sharp. Unfiltered.

"Well... now this is new," he said, pushing the women aside as he stood. "Who are you?"

Scarlett didn't react.

"Are you Colin Drake?"

"That depends," he said lazily. "Who's asking?"

But his eyes stayed on her.

A woman like that didn't walk in by accident.

And she definitely didn't walk in for someone else.

Howard stepped forward slightly, already reading the look on his face. If Scarlett hadn't stopped him earlier, Colin would already be on the floor.

"Gloves," he said quietly.

Scarlett took them without looking.

Slid them on.

Then raised her eyes.

Cold. Focused.

Something about it made Colin pause.

"Alright," he said, a little less relaxed now. "What do you want?"

Scarlett tilted her head slightly.

"Louie Monroe is my brother."

The shift was instant.

Recognition hit.

"...Scarlett?"

His eyes widened slightly.

"Scarlett Hayes. Right?"

A slow grin spread across his face.

"I thought you were still locked up. What, they let you out early?"

Scarlett didn't answer.

Colin let out a short laugh, the mockery clear.

"What, you here to stand up for him?" he said. "Your brother picked a fight he couldn't win."

He leaned back, tapping his cheek.

"Go ahead. Take your shot."

His grin widened.

"I won't even move."

Scarlett looked at him for a second.

Then-

"Your call."

She moved.

Fast.

Too fast for him to react.

CRACK-

The sound echoed through the room.

Colin's head snapped to the side as his nose shattered on impact. The force sent him flying backward, crashing hard onto the floor.

A beat of silence-

Then-

"AAAH-!"

He screamed, clutching his face, blood pouring between his fingers.

"You-!" His voice broke into a roar. "I'll kill you!"

Scarlett walked toward him, unhurried.

"Oh?" she said calmly.

Her foot came down-

CRACK-

The sound was worse this time.

A scream tore out of him, raw and uncontrolled.

"Stop-!"

Too late.

She pressed down harder.

Bone gave under pressure.

Another scream. Louder. Desperate.

She didn't rush.

Didn't hesitate.

By the time she stepped back-

Both legs were destroyed.

Colin lay there shaking, his face drained of color, his body barely responding to the pain.

Scarlett looked down at him.

Unmoved.

"Now we're even."

He glared up at her, hatred burning in his eyes-

But he didn't say another word.

He couldn't.

Right then, Brielle rushed in.

She stopped cold at the sight.

"Honey?!"

Her voice cracked.

She stared at Colin, broken on the floor, panic flooding her face.

"What happened?! Who did this?!"

"I did."

Scarlett's voice cut through the room.

Brielle snapped her head toward her.

"Scarlett?!"

Shock turned to anger almost instantly.

"What is wrong with you?!" she snapped. "You're insane! You should've stayed in prison!"

Scarlett didn't react.

"Whether I belong there isn't your concern," she said evenly.

Her gaze sharpened.

"I broke his legs because he broke my brother's."

A beat.

"You knew that."

Brielle didn't hesitate.

"He deserved it."

The temperature in the room dropped.

Scarlett's expression hardened.

"Deserved it?"

Her voice was quiet.

Controlled.

"He worked himself to exhaustion for you," she said. "Gave you everything he had."

Her eyes locked onto Brielle's.

"And that's what you call deserving it?"

Brielle let out a short, dismissive laugh.

"He had nothing," she said coldly. "No money. No future. Did he really think that was enough?"

Scarlett let out a quiet laugh.

Her gaze lingered on Brielle for a moment.

Pretty, sure.

But compared to Louie?

Not even close.

That wasn't bias.

It was fact.

She didn't deserve him.

"What's so funny?" Brielle snapped. "Am I wrong?"

She lifted her chin, smug.

"A guy who can't even make three grand a month thinks he can marry me?"

"My fiancé's different. He's got money. He runs his own company. He actually knows how to treat me."

"If I want a designer bag, I get one. Your brother? He'd have to kill himself just to afford it."

Every word dripped with contempt.

Scarlett drew in a slow breath, holding her temper in check.

Her eyes flicked briefly to the women huddled in the corner-

Then back to Brielle.

"You see this?" she said evenly. "You're engaged to him, and he's still hooking up with other women."

"What's that got to do with you?" Brielle shot back. "I don't care. I want him."

But that wasn't true.

Not completely.

No one was that indifferent.

She just chose not to look too closely.

Money.

Status.

The life she wanted.

Scarlett's gaze hardened.

"Good," she said quietly.

"Then stick with that choice."

There was a weight behind her voice now.

A promise.

"You're going to regret it."

"Everything you said. Everything you chose."

At first, she'd only planned to teach Brielle a lesson.

Now?

That felt like a waste.

No-

She wanted something else.

Something lasting.

Not pain.

Regret.

The kind that stayed with you.

The kind that didn't fade.

"Let's go," she said, turning to Howard.

She walked out without another glance.

Behind her, Brielle's voice cut through the room-

"Stop right there, Scarlett! You think you can just walk away after this? I'm calling the police! I'll send you back to prison!"

Scarlett didn't slow down.

Didn't even turn.

She was already gone.

Howard lingered for half a second, glancing back at Brielle.

Amused.

Calling the police?

That was cute.

If she thought that would work-

She had no idea who she was dealing with.