“From the Cross family,” he said, handing it over.
Scarlett opened it.
Inside was a custom-made violet evening gown-elegant, luxurious, clearly expensive.
Matching jewelry. A designer clutch. High heels.
Even a full set of makeup.
Everything was prepared.
Her phone rang.
Theron.
She answered.
“Do you like it?” His voice was low, smooth-like a cello’s deep resonance.
“…Thank you. But-how did you know I needed this?”
The moment she asked, her eyes darkened slightly, her tone cooling.
“…Have you been investigating me?”
Theron’s brows drew together slightly.
This woman… she was sharper than he expected.
“I’m outside.”
Some things couldn’t be explained over the phone.
Scarlett glanced toward the door. Through the narrow gap, she could see a car parked outside.
She opened it-
And saw him leaning casually against the car door.
The night air was cool. He wore a long black coat, the streetlights casting a soft glow over him, outlining his sharp, striking features.
He looked like a scene pulled straight out of a movie-impossible not to notice, impossible not to look at twice.
Scarlett was no exception.
She let her gaze linger for a second longer than she intended.
“Want to take a walk?” His low, husky voice sounded especially alluring in the quiet night.
Scarlett nodded lightly. “Sure.”
They walked in silence for a while before he spoke again.
“…I’m sorry.”
She stopped and looked up at him.
“Why did you investigate me?” she asked. “Were you worried I was getting close to Theo on purpose?”
“That was part of it,” he admitted honestly.
“Part of it?” She frowned. “Then what was the other reason?”
“I told you before.”
Told her?
Scarlett met his gaze.
His dark eyes were deep-so deep she could see her own reflection clearly within them.
It was as if there was no room for anything else in his world… except her.
Her heart skipped, just for a moment.
It felt… strange.
“…Yeah,” he murmured, his voice low and magnetic. Even a simple word sounded like it carried intent.
“I said I’d repay you with myself. That’s why I looked into you. I’m sorry-I shouldn’t have done that. If I wanted to know something, I should’ve asked you directly. And when you’re ready to tell me everything… that’s when I’ll know you’ve started to let me in.”
He never once looked away.
His gaze stayed fixed on her, steady and unmistakably sincere.
Scarlett felt the heat rise to the tips of her ears.
She quickly steadied herself, forcing her expression back to normal.
She looked away.
If she kept staring into his eyes, she might actually get pulled in.
“You don’t need to apologize,” she said coolly. “You’re the CEO of the Cross Corp. I’m sure plenty of women try to get close to you. If you suspected I was using Theo to approach you, it makes sense that you’d investigate.”
The moment she finished speaking-
She noticed the faint smile on his lips.
Why was he suddenly in such a good mood?
Before she could ask-
He stepped closer.
His voice dropped, brushing right against her ear.
“I don’t have women around me. Never have.”
His warm breath grazed her skin.
Her pale ear flushed instantly.
Scarlett took a step back, putting distance between them.
“Whether you do or don’t… has nothing to do with me.”
Theron’s lips curved slightly higher.
He had caught every subtle reaction-every flicker of shyness she tried so hard to hide.
And it was… exactly to his liking.
“It does,” he said softly. “So I have to make it clear.”
Scarlett looked at the unmistakable amusement in his eyes, that strange feeling in her chest growing stronger.
“Think whatever you want,” she said, quickening her pace as she walked ahead.
Theron didn’t rush.
With his long strides, he easily caught up, falling into step beside her.
Scarlett glanced sideways at his legs.
…Being tall really was an advantage.
Just then-
A warm, sweet aroma drifted through the air.
Roasted sweet potatoes.
Theron noticed her reaction and followed her gaze to a small street stall at the corner.
“I’ll get one.”
“No, I can-“
Before she could finish, he was already walking away.
Scarlett watched him go, her eyes drifting once again to his long legs.
She raised a brow slightly.
Yeah… definitely an advantage.
As she stood there, watching him, a long-buried memory began to surface-becoming clearer, sharper.
She was very young.
Her gambling-addict father had dragged her to the city to demand money from Mossa.
When Mossa refused, he beat her in public to force her hand.
At first, it worked. Mossa paid him off a few times.
But eventually… she stopped caring.
No matter how much he hit her, she refused to give another cent.
She even shouted in the street-
“If you’ve got the guts, kill her! Go ahead-kill her and see if you don’t end up in prison!”
To a child of five or six…
Those words were enough to shatter the world.
That day, the fight was worse than ever.
In the end, her father shoved her toward Mossa and walked away.
Mossa looked at her with nothing but disgust-and turned to leave.
Scarlett picked herself up, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and followed.
Wherever Mossa went, she followed.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.