(James’s POV)


    Cambridge. Europe. She can’t be serious.


    “Virginia, we’re your family. You aren’t going anywhere leaving your family.”


    My father always said, blood is blood. And Virginia is my flesh and blood. The daughter who should have been raised in my house, spoiled by my wife, protected by my strength.


    Instead, she lived twenty–three years without us, raised by people who barely cared about her, while we spoiled Scarlett with everything money could buy.


    And now she wants to move across the ocean because we haven’t showered enough love on her to make her feel secure.


    What kind of father am I?


    Not that I love Scarlett any less. Twenty–two years of raising her, teaching her to ride bikes and helping with homework, walking her down the aisle – have made her a part of my heart.


    But Virginia is my flesh. My blood. And I’ve failed her.


    “Sweetheart, you don’t have to leave,” I say, stepping forward. “This is your home too.”


    “Dad, please.” Her voice wavers just slightly. “I’ve thought about this for months. Cambridge is offering me an incredible opportunity.”


    “But Europe is so far away,” ir says, tears streaming down her face. “We just got you back. We haven’t had enough time together.”


    “You’ll have Scarlett. And Lily. Isn’t that what you’ve wanted? To have your whole family back together again?”


    The usation in her voice tears at something deep in my chest. She thinks we me her for Scarlett leaving the state. That we had to choose between her and the daughter we


    raised.


    “You’re both our daughters. Why can’t we stay together as one big family?


    Even as I say it, I <i>know </i>the situation isn’t as simple as that. We made this clear when we stripped Scarlett of her inheritance rights. Every dinner where Virginia sat with Jasper while Scarlett sat alone in a corner. Every time Jasper left Scarlett hanging to take care of Virginia…


    The raft between the sisters is too big to be mended with a few simple words.


    :


    < Chapter 95


    More Rewards >


    “I can’tpete with twenty–two years of memories,” Virginia shakes her head, her eyes filled with pain. “I see the way you look at Scarlett, the way you worry about her. And it’s not wrong – she’s been your daughter way longer than I have. But I need to find my own ce in this


    world.”


    “But your ce is with us,” ir insists, her voice breaking. I ce a hand on her back to offerfort. But my own chest is tight with emotions.


    “No, Mom. My ce isn’t with you. It has never been. But don’t worry. I will carve my ce with my own hands.”


    I want to argue with her, want to tell her she’s wrong. But looking at her now – poised, determined, already half–gone – I realize I have nothing to say.


    (Virginia’s POV)


    I love it when events y out ording to my calctions. Dad looks like he’s about to cry, and ir is already sniffling into her handkerchief. Even some of the nearby families are watching us with sympathy, probably thinking what a noble, selfless girl I am upon hearing my words.


    If only they knew.


    Jasper approaches me, his face is etched with concern.


    <i>“</i>Are you sure about this?” he asks. “The stress of moving away… what if it triggers your panic


    attack?”


    I almostugh. Such a caring man. Always worried about everyone’s wellbeing. Too bad he never worried about mine the way he should have.


    “Doctor Rashid adjusted my medication. With the breathing exercises, I haven’t had a severe episode in weeks.”


    It’s true. After all, its hard to have panic attacks when you’re the one orchestrating it instead


    of reacting to it.


    “Still, being alone in a foreign country…”


    “Jasper, I need to do this.” I reach out and touch his arm, letting my fingers linger. “Before I go, I want to make sure things are right between you and Scarlett. I want to talk to her.”


    “You don’t need to do that,” he says quickly. “Whatever happens between Scarlett and me, we’ll figure it out ourselves.”


    “But I want to help,” I insist. “It’s the least I can do after… after everything.”


    < Chapter 95


    More Rewards >


    I turn toward Scarlett before he can protest further. She’s watching me with those same guarded eyes I hate so much. She’s always been too perceptive for her own good.


    “Scarlett,” I walk towards her with my most sincere expression. “Can we talk for a moment?”


    She doesn’t move, just holds Lily a little tighter. “We have nothing to talk about, Virginia. Just tell me what you want?”


    “I meant what I said. I’m going to Europe to study, to build my own life.” I let my voice break slightly. “But before I go, I need you to know nothing ever happened between me and Jasper. I lied to you when I called him my husband. You… You should take Lily home. Dad and Mom


    both so much.”


    miss you


    “Virginia-”


    “And Jasper.” I press on, not giving her the chance to interrupt. “He can’t forget you, Scarlett. He’s been miserable for four years. You should give him another chance.”


    Herugh is sharp, bitter. “And who are you to decide that?”


    “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I promise you – I’m letting go. You have nothing to worry about anymore. Once I leave Avalon, I won’t return. I will never disrupt your lives again.”


    “There’s no need for you to leave,” she says tly.


    The dismissal in her tone makes my blood boil, but I force myself to remain calm, to keep my facial expression soft and neutral. “Is it because of me that you won’t return home?”


    “Don’t tter yourself,” She finally snaps, showing some real emotion. “Not everything is about you, Virginia. Don’t take yourself so seriously.”


    The words p me in the face. My face burns with the insult. For a moment, my mask almost slips, almost, but I catch myself in time.


    “Then why?” I grit out.


    She goes quiet for a moment, a long agonizing moment where she studies my face, her sharp gaze seemingly piercing through my facade. When she speaks, her voice is steady,


    sure.


    “I left because I needed to find myself.” Her eyes meet mine directly. “For too long, my worth was tied to other people. I was the Stone family’s daughter, then Jasper’s wife, then your rival. But I was never just Scarlett.”


    She shifts Lily to her other hip, the movement protective and sure.


    <Chapter 95


    More Pewards


    “When everyone abandoned me, I found the strength and the courage to stand on my own


    feet.”


    Her voice grows stronger with each word. Then her expression shifts, and she looks at me with something akin to pity.


    “You’re brilliant, Virginia. You’re a talented researcher with your whole life ahead of you. Don’t make Jasper the center of your world. Don’t make any man the center of your world. That’s how you lose yourself.”


    The advice hits too close to home, stirring up rage I can barely contain. She thinks she knows me? She thinks she understands what I’ve been through? Who the hell does she think she is?


    The urge to smack her across the face is strong. But I suppress the impulse, and smile sweetly, nodding like her words have touched me deeply.


    “I’ll keep what you said in mind,” I lie. “And I hope someday you can forgive me for whatever pain I’ve caused you. I never meant to hurt you.”


    I turn back to Dad and ir onest time. “I love you both so much. And I’m doing this because I love you. Because sometimes love means letting go.”


    “Virginia…” ir reaches for me, but I step back, and walk away before anyone can stop me, my heels clicking against the pavement with each decisive step. <fnf958> Content originallyes from Find?Novel</fnf958>


    Behind me, I hear their confused voices, their protests and questions. But it doesn’t matter now<i>. </i>The seed is nted, the stage is set.


    Now is action time.


    Violet Moon


    #Vote#!