Scarlett OHaras face had turned a sickly pale as Edward Cullen confronted her with his rage. The room seemed to close in around her, his words a lash that cut deeper than any physical pain could.
Edwards voice was a thunderclap in the tense silence. "Is there no end to your desperation, Scarlett? To lie about a child—"
"I am not lying," Scarlett interjected, her voice steady despite the tremble in her hands. "You can take Little Charlie for a paternity test. The truth will set us both free."
Edward paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered her proposal. After a tense moment, he strode to the side of the room and made a call to his assistant, instructing him to arrange for a DNA test.
Unbeknownst to them both, Elizabeth Bennet lingered just outside the door, her heart pounding in her chest. The revelation of Scarlett and Edwards child had shaken her to the core. She had to act quickly to protect her own interests.
As Edward ended the call, he turned to Scarlett, his expression a mix of anger and something else—something that looked suspiciously like hurt. "If youre lying to me, Scarlett, there will be consequences."
Scarlett met his gaze, her own eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. "I am not lying, Edward. You will see."
The following day, Edward was preparing to leave for the office when Elizabeth called, her voice urgent. "Edward, I need to see you. Its important."
He agreed to meet her at his home, and within half an hour, she arrived, her expression grave. She pulled out a USB drive and inserted it into his laptop, revealing a series of compromising photos and videos of Edward and Scarlett.
"These appeared online early this morning," Elizabeth explained, her voice trembling. "Ive already had our PR team remove them, but we need to talk about how to handle this."
Edwards eyes darkened as he studied the images. They were intimate, personal, and could destroy his reputation if they were to go public. He glanced at Elizabeth, noting the concern in her eyes.
"Thank you for bringing this to me, Elizabeth," he said, his voice tight with emotion. "I will handle this."
After she left, he received a call from his assistant. The paternity test results were in, and they were not what he had expected. Little Charlie was not his son.
The news hit Edward like a physical blow. He felt betrayed, used, and furious. He stormed into the guest room where Scarlett was staying, his face a mask of rage.
"Scarlett, you lied to me," he accused, his voice low and dangerous.
Scarlett paled, her eyes wide with fear. "I didnt lie, Edward. I swear—"
"Save it," he snapped, cutting her off. "Youve played your last game with me, Scarlett. Get out of my sight."
With that, he turned on his heel and left the room, leaving Scarlett to face the consequences of her actions alone. The truth had finally come to light, and with it, the end of any hope for a future between them.