Scarlett OHara lay there, her body rigid with resistance, her lips pressed tightly together to keep from screaming out her violation. The man above her seemed to sense her revulsion, yet instead of stopping, he only seemed to take a twisted pleasure in her helplessness.
"Is this as far as your feisty spirit goes, Scarlett?" he mocked, his breath hot against her ear.
As the night wore on, Scarlett felt a numbness settle over her, a shield against the horror of her reality. When morning finally came, she was left alone in the cold, empty room. The lingering pain was a cruel reminder of what had been done to her.
Stumbling into the bathroom, she turned the shower on full blast, the water nearly scalding as it washed away the physical traces of her assault. But no amount of water could cleanse the stain on her soul.
Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Scarlett saw the truth written on her body in bruises and betrayal. Her sobs echoed off the tiles, a mournful chorus of despair that reverberated through the small space.
Exiting the hotel with her head held high, despite the weight of her shame, Scarlett made her way to the one place she knew she must. She dialed Rhett Butlers number, her voice steady as she declared her intentions. "Rhett, any collaboration between the Cullens and the Butlers is now void as far as Im concerned. If you dare harm my son, I will make sure you pay the price."
With that, she marched into the public relations department and tendered her resignation. The act was a small rebellion, but it was all she had left.
Within the hour, she was summoned to the presidents office. There, Edward Cullen awaited her, his expression dark and foreboding. Scarlett met his gaze without flinching, her own resolve steeling her for the confrontation.
"Youre resigning?" Edward asked, his tone as sharp as his features.
Scarlett held his gaze, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Do you even have the right to question my decisions, Edward? After all, what I do or who I am is none of your concern anymore."
His eyes flashed with anger, but she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why didnt you help me last night, Edward? Were our past feelings so meaningless to you?"
For a moment, Edward seemed taken aback, his anger replaced by a flicker of what might have been regret. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual cold indifference. "Scarlett, your past is just that—the past. And as for last night, I dont owe you any explanations."
His words were a knife to her heart, but she refused to let him see her pain. "Then I suppose theres nothing left to say," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
As she turned to leave, Edward called out to her, his voice laced with a warning. "Scarlett, be careful. Your actions have consequences, and I wont always be there to pick up the pieces."
Scarlett paused, her hand on the doorknob, and without looking back, she replied, "I release you from that burden, Edward. From now on, I am on my own."
With that, she stepped out of the office, leaving Edward Cullen and the remnants of her shattered dreams behind. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear—Scarlett OHara was no longer a woman to be underestimated or trifled with. She would rise from the ashes of her past, stronger and more determined than ever before.