Editor: Henyee Translations
Scarlet’s father, Thomas South, stood there, fury written all over his face as he glared at Keira and Lewis.
The mont his voice dropped, two security guards burst in, heading straight for the pair.
Keira frowned and exchanged a look with Lewis.
Without needing a word, the two of them stepped back—right behind Scarlet. As expected, she imdiately blocked the guards, arms spread wide.
"Don’t touch them!" she shouted.
She got to her feet and locked eyes with her father. "Dad, they’re my friends!"
"Friends? They’re strays, Scarlet! Do you have any idea what kind of situation we’re in right now?" Thomas bellowed, his anger boiling over. "Lena’s family is just waiting for us to slip up. Your aunt’s already being held, and if we so much as breathe wrong, we’re done for! This family’s already on thin ice thanks to her!"
His sharp features twisted with rage, making his usually handso face look almost grotesque.
Scarlet clenched her fists. "But Dad, that’s not what you said before. You said it wasn’t her fault..."
Thomas let out a bitter laugh. "What do you know? You think our family’s still so fairytale dream of flowers and sunshine? The heir of the main bloodline—that title alone is a thorn in the side of the current head of the South family! Your aunt ca back, but she refuses to have children. And today? I got called in and chewed out again!"
Scarlet blinked in shock. "Wait, what?"
Thomas took a deep breath and sat down, pressing a hand to his chest like it hurt just to talk.
The butler stepped in quickly. "Miss Scarlet, please don’t upset the master anymore. You weren’t there to hear how cruel the family head was. They’re desperate to force your aunt. If she still won’t give them a direct heir... they’re planning to co after you next. After all, you’re her only living relative."
Scarlet stumbled back a step, her eyes wide as she looked at her father. "Dad... I didn’t know things were this bad for you."
Thomas didn’t hesitate. "Well, now you do. So go on—kick them out."
Scarlet shook her head. "No. They’re my friends. They stood up to Lena today—for . If they leave now, it’s as good as signing their death warrant. I can’t just throw them out."
Thomas’s eyes flared. "You let them stay, and tomorrow the family head will be at our doorstep. What do you want to see when I co back tomorrow, Scarlet? A broken arm? A leg? What?"
She clenched her fists tighter. "But Dad, you always told —never turn your back on the people who’ve helped you."
Thomas exhaled hard, then offered a compromise. "Fine. Give them a boat. Get them off South Island. Lena’s reach only stretches as far as this family. If they’re off the island, they might have a shot. Just... make sure they leave quietly."
Scarlet hesitated, glancing at Keira.
Keira looked from Thomas to Scarlet, then finally said, "It’s okay. We’ll go."
She took Lewis’s hand, ready to walk out when Scarlet called after her.
"No! You leave now, Lena will kill you the minute you’re out of sight. Getting rid of soone like you? That’s nothing to her!"
Scarlet marched forward and grabbed Keira’s hand. "I’m not letting you leave. I know you can’t go—"
She turned to Thomas. "Dad, the people who want them dead? They’re right outside. If they walk out that door, they won’t make it off the island alive. We can’t just abandon them."
Thomas sighed deeply. "Why did I raise you to be so soft-hearted? Scarlet, we’re barely surviving as it is. We don’t have room to care about soone else’s life or death. Just get them off the island. Staying here will get them killed. Out there, they at least have a chance. Even if their enemies are lurking nearby, they can’t cover the whole island. Find a quiet corner. Let them out where no one’s watching. The world’s a big place. They’ll survive."
Scarlet was silent for a second, unsure.
"No more excuses," Thomas said. "You’re worried? Fine. I’ll escort them myself. I’ll get them to the mainland, safe and sound. How’s that?"
He didn’t wait for an answer. He walked straight up to Keira and Lewis, voice low and sharp. "You’re outsiders. If you ca here with any kind of agenda, you won’t make it off this island. But if you didn’t... then I’ve offered you a way out. You’d better take it. I trust you’re smart enough to know what to do."
Keira’s brow furrowed.
They’d risked everything to get here—and now, they were just supposed to leave?
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