Chapter 7

Harrison's expression finally changed. "Scarlett, what the hell are you doing?" But Scarlett ignored him. She drove the scissors into her thigh again and again. Her pristine white dress was soaked in crimson within seconds. Harrison stood frozen. Did she despise his touch so much that she would rather hurt herself than give in? The thought sent an unfamiliar frustration surging through his chest. "Scarlett Yeager!" With a furious growl, he grabbed her wrist. The scissors clattered to the floor, and the sharp sting of pain cut through the haze in Scarlett's mind. At that moment, applause erupted from downstairs. The guests were waiting for her birthday speech. Biting down against the agony, Scarlett shoved Harrison aside and descended the stairs. Seeing her covered in blood, the crowd gasped in shock. But Scarlett's expression remained unchanged. She lifted her chin. Blood soaked her dress, staining it like a rose blooming in the snow. Raising her glass, she smiled at the crowd. "Wishing myself a happy 29th birthday!" And with that, she collapsed. Amid the panicked shouts, Harrison lunged forward and caught her. … Scarlett was unconscious for an entire day and night. When she was finally discharged, she returned home to pack. She had just finished when Harrison showed up with Hazel by his side. "I looked into it," Harrison said stiffly. "The drugging was a mistake. You had nothing to do with it." Scarlett didn't react. But beside him, Hazel burst into tears. "It was all my fault, Scarlett. I spoke carelessly and made Uncle Harry misunderstand you. To make it up to you, I designed your wedding dress. Consider it my birthday gift to you, too." Scarlett finally looked at the wedding dress in Hazel's hands. Memories of her past life resurfaced, and a cold smile curled her lips. "You designed a dress without even checking my size? How am I supposed to wear that?" In her previous life, on the eve of the wedding, Hazel had also presented Scarlett with a wedding dress she had designed herself. Without hesitation, Harrison had returned the high-end custom dress Scarlett had selected and insisted she wear Hazel's design instead. The problem? Hazel's dress had been too small. It was impossible to fit into. When Scarlett had pointed it out, Harrison had only given her a cold look and said, "Then lose weight." So, for two days leading up to the wedding, Scarlett hadn't eaten a single bite. She hadn't even dared to drink water. And in the end, she had passed out at the altar. This time, Scarlett was no longer that fool. Hazel's face turned pale at her words. "I-I'm so sorry." Her eyes brimmed with tears. "When I was designing the dress, I kept imagining myself as the bride. I must've accidentally…" Harrison's head snapped up. A complicated emotion flickered in his gaze. Hazel gasped, hastily covering her mouth, as if realizing what she had just said. A heavy silence filled the air. Then, Scarlett let out a slow, amused laugh. "Well, then, why don't you wear it?"