Scarlett Mila Marino

I throw clothes into the bag, with shaky hands. Barley able to focus. This place feels different now. The warmth this house used to hold is gone. Replaced with the sigh of his confession.i move mechanically, my heart numb, as I shove the last of my belongings into the suitcase.

Everything that once felt safe here is now poisoned by the truth. Every glance, every touch, every word he ever said to me...it all feels like a lie. And the weight of that is crushing me.

With a deep breath I zip the bag. My heart aches with every step as I make my way upstairs. As I reach the door, the reality of what I'm about to do crashes into me. I'm going back home. To him. My father. But I don't have a choice. I can't stay here. I can't look at Rowan. And I don't want to be a burden to my friends. I can't ask them to help me.

I force my thoughts away from Rowan. Away from the betrayal, the pain and focus of what I have to do.

I can't tell my father the truth. He would kill me if he knew Rowan and I had a fight. I'll be paying for it in ways I don't even want to think about.

***

My father barley looks up when I step through the front door. The place reeks of alcohol and memories I've tried so hard to forget.

My mother is sitting on the couch, staring at the tv. She barely acknowledges me when I walk inside.

I swallow hard and glance toward the kitchen, knowing my father is there. The clinking of his glass and the creak of his chair are all too familiar sounds.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to visit." He says. I freeze, feeling his presence before he even stands in the doorway.
His eyes narrow as he looks me up and down, suspicion and anger shimmering just beneath the surface.

"Why are you back?" He asks crossing his arms.

I force a smile, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. "Rowan got called away for work. He asked me to come back here for a few weeks until he's back." I lie.

His eyes harden, and for a second, I'm terrified he sees through the lie. But then he snorts, turning away from me as if I'm not worth the effort.

I glance at my mother, hoping for some sign of comfort, some acknowledgment that I'm home, but her eyes remain fixed on the TV. She's quiet as always. Lost in her own world of sadness. She won't ask me why I'm back, she won't press for details. She never does.

"I'll be in my room." I say as I move to get my things upstairs.

My room is exactly as I left it. Cold. Lifeless. It feels more like a prison.

I shrink down onto the bed as exhaustion washes over me. I close my eyes and lean back, pulling my knees to my chest as I try to stop the tears from forming.

But they come anyway.

***

The first night, I cry until my body feels hollow, until I'm so exhausted I can't think anymore. But even then sleep doesn't come easily. I toss and turn, Rowan's voice echoing in my head. His face haunting me.

His confession plays over and over, twisting into nightmares that leaves me breathless and panicked.

***

By the third day I'm barley eating. I can't stand the thought of food. My stomach twists in knots every time I try. My throat feels like it's closing up.

I avoid my father as much as possible. He doesn't seem to care, which is both a relief and a curse. I'm just a shadow here, fading more and more each day.

***

It's been days, maybe a week, I don't really care. When there's a knock on my door my heart skips a beat.

Is it...Rowan?

I open the door, trying to force a smile as I spot Asuka and Anthony. Asuka's expression softens immediately, concern clear on her face. Anthony's brows knit together as he takes me in. I can feel their eyes scanning me. My pale skin, my hollow cheeks, the dark circles under my eyes. I must look like a ghost to them.

"Scar, what happened?" Asuka asks stepping forward, into my room.

"I'm fine." I lie, my voice flat. "Rowan had to leave for work, so I'm staying here for a bit. That's all." I say.

Anthony doesn't say anything but I can tell he's not believing me.

"You don't look fine." Asuka says gently. Her voice full of concern. "Have you even been sleeping?" She asks studying my face.

I force a small laugh, shrugging as if it's nothing. "It's just been a rough few days. You know how it is." I say.

They exchange a glance and I know they can see right through me. I'm not fooling anyone.

"Don't shut us out, Scar. You're obviously going through something. We're here for you." Anthony speaks.

I nod. I know I have them but still, I feel so...alone. I've been alone for days. Forgotten, rotting away in my room.

"I...Rowa..." I can't get out the words. His name reminding me of too much.

They both run up to hug me. And I let myself cry in their arms. "I'm sorry, I haven't called." I say between my sobs.

"Shhh. Don't apologize. You're allowed to feel whatever you're going through right now, Scar." Asuka says hugging me tighter.

***

Asuka and Anthony left two hours ago and I told them everything. About Rowan. About my brother. And about my feelings. It was nice to speak to someone about this, instead of having the thoughts in my mind.

I jump out of my bed as my door burst open.
It happens so fast, I don't have time to think. Let alone prepare myself.

Guards are grabbing me by my arms, making it impossible for me to move. It's dad.

Fucking coward can't even face me without his guards, because he knows I'm better.

"You were lying to me? You think I'm stupid?" He asks.

Yes.

"No. I..." I open my mouth to deny it but get cut off.

"You left your husband? You had one fucking job. And you left. Do you know how much money you just lost me?" My father says.

Wait the Marino's payed him? So I was sold away?
Of course. It was all about earning money. I should've known.

"I didn't..." I start but he dosnt let me finish.
"Don't lie to me!" His voice raises. His eyes are wild, and I know this is it. He's crossed that line he can't come back from. There's no reasoning with him now.

"I...do your worst old man." I say my lips twitching into a smile. If this is how I die I'll not be weak. It's too late for anything. I see it in his eyes. I knew this would come one day. I knew he would figure it out eventually.

The first blow comes so fast. The pain explodes across my face. Shit. I'm pretty sure he split my eyebrow. I can feel the blood dripping down my face. Before I can catch my breath his hand is on me again.

"You'll fucking pay for disappointing me!" He says grabbing my head and slams my head so hard against the wall behind, I see stars.

"You're just like your mother. Weak. Pathetic." He spits. His words drip with venom. His fists slams into my stomach. And I double over in pain. Gasping for air that won't come.
My vision blurs as I drop to my knees. The guards lets me go, now watching it all happen.

"Get up." He orders. Kicking at me, the force sending pain shooting through my leg. I cry out as his boot connects with my ankle. A sickening crack fills the room. And I know something's wrong.

He grabs me by the hair, yanking me back up. I whimper, my body trembling as he drags me across the room. My foot throbs, every step sending pain through me.
He throws me on my bed. "No one will ever want you. No one. You're useless as always." He says.

Tears blur my vision. I try to breathe. This is worse than dying.

"You'll learn your place again." He says then leaves me crumpled on the bed. I shake out of fear and pain. I can barley move, my body throbbing with each breath I take. My foot is broken, I think. It swollen already turning dark with bruises.

I don't know how long I lie there as I try to gather the strength to move.

I've never killed anyone and I won't do it. It's a promise I've made. I won't. But I can't live with this.

As I lie on my bed thinking, I get an idea.
There's only one way for me to get rid of my father. There's only one person in this world that's been trained to become a weapon.
He's the only one who can kill my father. He's done it many...many times.

I'll make Rowan kill my father.

He owes me that. After what he did.

My poor Scarlett...im so sorry.