Chapter 3
Scarlett's Only Family
————
I hurried down the street, determined to get home before Grandma started worrying.
Our house wasn't far from the school—only ten blocks away. Grandma always said living close meant I could walk and get some exercise.
"Scarlett," she would say with a teasing smile, "you have to keep your youth going."
Every time she said that, I couldn't help but laugh.
What most people didn't know was that my grandmother, Nana Rose, was the third richest person in the world. Yet she chose to live a quiet and simple life with me.
Just the two of us.
And honestly… I wanted it to stay that way forever.
But today was the day everything started to change.
Today was the day my uncle came again, trying to take control of Nana's company. The person running it now wasn't related to us by blood—but they were loyal and capable. That was the reason Nana trusted them more than her own son.
As I rushed toward the only place that had ever truly felt like home, my head suddenly throbbed.
Voices…
Whispers…
Thoughts that didn't belong to me echoed inside my mind.
I clenched my fists.
"What is happening to me?" I whispered.
By the time I reached the small house at the end of the road, the familiar smell of herbs and fresh cooking drifted through the air.
Grandma was home.
The moment I stepped inside, a warm voice called from the kitchen.
"Scarlett, is that you?"
The sound of that voice made my chest tighten.
In both my lives… that voice was the only one that had ever truly cared about me.
"Nana Rose…"
My voice cracked as tears filled my eyes.
Grandma rushed out of the kitchen the moment she heard me. The second she saw the tears on my face, panic filled her expression.
"Baby, what happened?" she asked quickly. "Did something happen at school? Did someone bully you?"
I didn't answer.
Instead, I threw my arms around her and held her as tightly as I could.
All the pain… all the fear… all the memories from my past life came crashing down at once. I cried into her shoulder, unable to stop.
Nana Rose gently wrapped her arms around me.
"It's alright, baby," she whispered softly. "Nana is here. Don't worry."
Slowly, my crying began to calm.
I pulled back and looked at her through tear-filled eyes.
"I missed you," I whispered. "Please don't ever leave me alone. You're the only family I have… I love you, Nana."
Nana Rose looked at me carefully.
Something in her eyes changed.
She could tell… something about me was different.
"Scarlett," she said softly, "what happened?"
I hesitated before answering.
"I just want to protect you," I finally said. "I won't let anyone hurt you… or me."
Nana Rose didn't push further, but I could tell she was thinking deeply. She knew something big had happened to me.
But instead of questioning me more, she gently guided me toward the kitchen.
"Come sit down," she said. "Dinner is ready."
I sat at the table while Nana placed a warm meal in front of me.
Just as we were about to eat—
Knock. Knock.
Someone knocked on the front door.
Nana Rose frowned slightly.
"Who is it?" she called out.
Then I heard a voice that sent a chill down my spine.
A voice that haunted my nightmares from my past life.
"Mother, it's me—Ethan," the man said from outside. "I brought the family with me. Charlotte, Jake, and Chloe are here too. We came to visit you."
My entire body stiffened.
Hatred rose inside my chest like a burning flame.
As Nana Rose started walking toward the door, I quickly grabbed her hand.
"Nana… don't trust them," I whispered.
She looked down at me calmly.
"Baby," she said quietly, "I already know."
I froze in shock.
Before I could ask what she meant, Nana Rose walked to the door and opened it.
Ethan Maxwell—my father—walked inside first.
For a brief second, I saw the hatred in his eyes.
But it disappeared just as quickly, replaced by a fake smile.
"Mother," he said warmly, "we came to see how you're doing."
Nana Rose looked at him coldly.
"I'm still alive, aren't I?" she replied without emotion.
The rest of the family walked in behind him.
Chloe immediately ran forward and grabbed Nana's hand.
"Grandma! Chloe loves you the most!" she said sweetly.
Nana gently removed her hand.
"Have a seat," she said flatly before walking back to the kitchen.
They followed her inside where I was sitting.
Nana Rose looked at them and said calmly,
"We're about to have dinner. Are you staying, or are you leaving?"
Ethan glanced at me with annoyance.
"We're just here to visit," he said. "I wanted to discuss company matters with you… but it seems that child is here."
Nana Rose's expression instantly turned cold.
"This is Scarlett's house," she said firmly. "You are only a visitor. Do not disrespect the owner of this home."
Ethan froze in surprise.
"But Mother," he protested, "I'm your son."
Nana Rose stared directly at him.
"This house belongs to Scarlett," she repeated. "If you wish to stay, ask her permission."
The entire room went silent.
Chloe suddenly pointed at me and whined,
"Look at her! She didn't even greet us. Aren't we her family?"
I looked at them without emotion.
They were nothing but strangers to me.
"Nana Rose," I said calmly, "who are these people? Why are they in my house?"
The family stared at me in disbelief.
"They're not invited," I continued coldly. "I want them to leave."
Chloe began whining louder.
"I'm supposed to be your sister! Why are you acting like you don't love us?"
Ethan stepped forward.
"I'm your father," he said angrily. "Why are you talking like I'm a stranger?"
Inside his mind, I could hear his thoughts clearly.
This brat thinks she can rule everything after Mother dies… I'll get rid of her.
My eyes turned icy.
"Mr. Ethan Maxwell," I said calmly, "you are not invited here. If you do not leave, I will call the police."
Shock spread across their faces.
Behind them, Nana Rose smirked slightly.
"You heard my granddaughter," she said. "The owner of this house has spoken."
Jack stayed quiet but stared at me with anger.
Just wait, he thought bitterly. I'll make you pay for this.
I looked at him coldly.
Jack suddenly flinched.
Charlotte stepped forward gently.
"Sweetheart," she said softly, "what's wrong? Why would you want to kick us out? We care about you."
I almost laughed.
Manipulation again…
Fine.
Let's play your game.
I looked directly into her eyes.
"Charlotte," I asked calmly, "are you really my mother?"
Charlotte froze.
Her face turned pale.
"Why would you ask something like that?" she said nervously. "We took care of you. Your grandmother insisted on raising you, but we still love you."
Well played.
But I knew the truth.
"Alright," I said casually. "Since we're family and you're visiting my house… can you give me six million dollars?"
Charlotte's face went white.
"What do you mean?" she asked weakly.
"You know exactly what I mean, Charlotte Maxwell."
In my past life, she had gambled away six million dollars from the family account.
And blamed me for stealing it.
Everyone believed her.
Except Nana Rose.
Charlotte stepped back in panic.
Ethan looked confused.
"Is something wrong?" he asked her.
Charlotte quickly forced a smile.
"No, everything is fine. I think we should leave."
Chloe stormed out angrily.
Jake followed silently.
Ethan hesitated before saying,
"I'll come back to discuss the company, Mother."
Then he glared at me.
"As your father, you should show respect."
He turned and left.
The door closed behind them.
I immediately turned to Nana Rose.
"Don't give him the company," I said urgently. "They're planning something. You need to be careful when I'm not here."
Nana Rose looked at me quietly.
Really looked at me.
Then she asked softly,
"Baby… have you received your powers?"
My heart stopped.
I stared at her in shock.
"Nana…" I whispered slowly.
"How did you know?"
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