Scarlett OHaras heart pounded in her chest as she stared down the line of men blocking her path. The rain had ceased, but the world was still drenched, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and decay. She had made it to the outskirts of the Finch estate, only to be met with this wall of resistance.
"Let me pass," she demanded, her voice wavering only slightly. "I must see George Wilson."
George Orwell, a man of few words and stern demeanor, stood firm. "Youre to return to the Finch mansion, Scarlett. The master has spoken."
"The master?" Scarlett spat the words out. "Atticus is not my master. I am my own person, and I will not be treated like a pawn in his games."
As she spoke, a figure emerged from the shadows, a woman with an air of elegance and cruelty. Daisy Buchanan, her rival, her husbands lover, and the woman who had stolen everything from her.
"Well, well, if it isnt the little runaway," Daisy purred, her voice laced with venom. "What a mess youve made of things, Scarlett."
Scarletts eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and despair. "You... you did this. You poisoned Atticus against me."
Daisy laughed, a sound as cold as the winter wind. "Oh, darling, you give me too much credit. Atticus never loved you. He was always mine."
Scarlett felt as if she had been slapped. The words stung, but she refused to show weakness. "Youre lying. Atticus and I... we had something special."
Daisys laughter echoed through the air, a cruel and mocking sound. "You delude yourself, Scarlett. Atticus married you for your familys influence, nothing more. And now that your family is in ruins, youre of no use to him."
Tears threatened to spill from Scarletts eyes, but she blinked them back furiously. She would not give Daisy the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"I dont believe you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Daisy stepped closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. "It was me who couldnt bear the thought of you carrying Atticuss child. So, I made sure you couldnt. And Atticus knew. He wanted it that way."
Scarletts world spun. The truth was a knife to her gut, twisting mercilessly. "How could you? How could he?"
"Because, my dear Scarlett," Daisy said, her lips curling into a sneer, "you were never meant to be a part of our world."
With a sudden, vicious push, Daisy sent Scarlett stumbling backward. Scarletts heart leaped into her throat as she lost her footing, her arms flailing as she tried desperately to regain her balance.
She teetered on the edge of the bridge, the world below a blur of water and rocks. And then, with a final, cruel smile, Daisy pushed her over the edge.
Scarlett screamed as she fell, the cold air rushing past her, the sound swallowed by the thunder that cracked overhead. As she plunged into the churning waters below, one thought consumed her: she would not go down without a fight.
And as she sank into the darkness, Scarlett OHara made a vow: she would survive this, and she would make them all pay.