Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Oh, trying to scare me now? You think I’ll back down? Go ahead, break them if you’ve got the guts.”
Kenji glanced at the marks on her waist, chest, and legs, forcing himself to swallow his frustration. He kept washing her, biting back his own embarrassment. Wanting to get it over with, he sped up, using more force than necessary, not caring if she grumbled.
Scarlette’s face went pale and then quickly flushed with pain. She didn’t have the strength to argue, focusing instead on taking deep breaths. But Kenji’s next move snapped her out of it.
“Why are your hands there?” she blurted out, her voice full of disbelief.
Kenji’s heart skipped at the sudden warmth, but he kept his face serious.
“To clean properly.”
Her face twisted in frustration.
“Clean what? You did use protection, right?”
He didn’t flinch.
“You really think that’s clean? It’s just lube.”
Scarlette had had enough. Gritting her teeth, she kicked him.
“Get out!”
Kenji didn’t argue. He scooped her up and carried her out, grabbing clothes from the floor to dress her.
His hand paused when he picked up a pair of cartoon-print underwear, his expression turning a bit awkward.
“Are you seriously eighteen?”
Scarlette turned bright red under his gaze.
“None of your business! I just grabbed those from a shop nearby. I usually wear lace.”
Kenji snorted, trying not to laugh. He was struggling to picture her in something mature like lace.
“So, you’re usually sexy and grown-up, huh?” He raised an eyebrow.
“If you’re so sexy and mature, why’d your pretty boy cheat on you?”
Scarlette didn’t say anything.
Kenji didn’t press further and dressed her carelessly.
Scarlette decided to address the issue.
“Kenji, let’s just pretend tonight never happened. And keep your mouth shut about it. I don’t want anyone to know.”
Kenji frowned, thinking about the bloodstain on the sheets.
“Was this your first time?”
“So what if it was?” Scarlette snapped, her heart twisting with resentment, but she didn’t let him see it.
“I don’t care.”
Kenji’s voice softened.
“Is it really your first time?”
That was enough to set her off.
Scarlette snapped, swinging her hand to slap him. She missed and ended up smacking his head instead. She yelped, clutching her hand.
“Why is your head so hard?”
Kenji just stared, not knowing what to say.
Scarlette reached under the bed and found her phone, noticing a bunch of missed calls. Some were from her bodyguard, others from Caden. Panic hit her hard, and she called the bodyguard first.
Upon learning Scarlette was safe, the bodyguard’s voice still trembled.
“I heard Mr. Reed took you, so I waited outside. I wanted to look for you when you didn’t show up for a long while, but no one knew where you were, so I told your dad.”
Scarlette’s heart sank.
“Is my dad on his way?”
“He’ll be there soon. Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
Scarlette gave Kenji a warning to keep quiet and then quickly fixed herself up, making sure there was no trace of what happened. She limped out, leaning against the wall.
Kenji watched her struggle, frowning.
“I’ll carry you down.”
“Stay the hell away from me!” she snapped.
Kenji pressed his lips together. She was small and slim, but her temper was fiery.
Caden had just pulled up outside the bar when Scarlette stepped out, her shoulders slumped and her face pale under the dim streetlights.
The moment Scarlette’s eyes landed on her father, a tidal wave of emotions crashed over her. Her chest tightened, and tears began streaming uncontrollably down her face.
Caden stepped out of the car, his brows furrowing as he watched his daughter cry.
“Scarlette?” he called out, his deep voice steady but filled with concern.
“What happened?”
Instead of answering, Scarlette broke into sobs and ran into his arms. She clung to him tightly, her tears soaking into his shirt as the dam of emotions she had been holding back finally broke.
Caden immediately scanned her, ensuring she was unharmed. Satisfied that she was physically fine, he wrapped his arms around her protectively, allowing her to cry.
A few moments later, Kenji stepped out of the bar. He stopped in his tracks when he spotted the father and daughter embracing. His hesitation was brief but long enough for Caden to notice him.
Caden turned his eyes toward Kenji, his expression fierce and unyielding. Concern for his daughter made him scrutinize everyone as if they were a potential threat.
Kenji straightened, forcing himself to remain composed under Caden’s intense gaze.
“Mr. Ward,” he said politely, nodding in greeting as he approached.
Still dazed from crying, Scarlette lifted her head at the sound of Kenji’s voice. Her red-rimmed eyes met his, silently questioning why he hadn’t just left.
Before Kenji could explain himself, Caden cut in, his voice laced with suspicion.
“Kenji, were you with Scarlette earlier?”
Kenji nodded humbly.
“Yes, Mr. Ward.”
Scarlette, panicked at the thought of Kenji revealing too much, quickly interjected, her voice unsteady, “But we were just having fun separately!”
Caden’s piercing gaze shifted back and forth between them, trying to piece things together.
Kenji, maintaining his composure, spoke with a calm demeanor.
“After Scarlette arrived, my mother asked me to look out for her. But Scarlette had plans with her friends, so I kept my distance.”
Kenji’s gaze landed on Scarlette, but the insincerity in his eyes was unmistakable. He tilted his head slightly, his voice dripping with feigned concern.
“What’s wrong, Scarlette? Why are you crying?”
Scarlette felt her stomach churn at his hollow words. She turned away from him, burying herself back into her father’s arms.
“Dad, I want to go home,” she said, her voice trembling.
“I miss my mom.”
Caden’s jaw tightened, his sharp eyes flickering toward the bar behind them.
“Is it new?” he asked curtly.
Kenji gave a small nod.
“Yes, it’s a branch owned by a friend of mine.”
Caden’s gaze turned cold, his voice laced with authority.
“Close it down.”
Kenji paused, immediately understanding what Caden meant. Whatever had upset Scarlette, Caden would uncover it on his own. But in the meantime, Caden’s anger needed an outlet, and the bar was an easy target for having caused his daughter’s distress.
Kenji nodded without hesitation.
“Understood, Mr. Ward. I’ll take care of it.”
It was just a bar-he could absorb the loss.
On the drive home, Caden’s sharp gaze softened as he questioned Scarlette.
Scarlette had already prepared her response.