Revenge of the Billionaire's Dead Fiance

Chapter 10

Scarlet

By the time I pulled into my compound, I could barely feel my legs. My head throbbed, my shoulders ached, and honestly, I wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed and forget the world. Nobody told me being a PA would feel like running a marathon every single day. The endless calls, the schedules, the pressure of Lysander’s presence—God, it was exhausting.

But I had a motive. A reason. And if I wanted to see it through, I had to endure every bit of this suffering.

I slipped off my heels the second I shut the car door, carrying them in one hand while padding barefoot across the cool tiles. My toes sighed in relief. When I reached the door, I unlocked it and stepped inside, already tugging at the buttons of my shirt.

That’s when I heard it.

A sound. Movement. From the kitchen.

I froze mid-step. My heart jumped to my throat. This was a new house—fresh, untouched. No one knew I lived here. Not Ryan, not even Amanda, my closest friend.

Slowly, I set my heels down and reached for the side table. My hand wrapped around the cold, heavy base of a flower vase. It wasn’t much, but it would do. I tightened my grip, tiptoeing toward the kitchen, every nerve in my body on fire.

And then—

“Don’t kill me!”

I stopped dead as a pair of hands shot up in surrender. Amanda’s voice followed, quick and nervous. “It’s me, Scarlett! It’s me. I’m not a thief.”

Relief burst out of me in one shaky laugh. “Amanda, what the hell?” I lowered the vase, pressing my hand to my chest. My heart was still racing.

She grinned sheepishly, lowering her hands. “Well, hi to you too.”

I shook my head, laughing now. “How did you even get in here? Where did you get the keys?”

Amanda tilted her head like I’d just asked a dumb question. “Uh, you told me to leave the spare inside the window glass, remember?”

I blinked, then groaned. “Oh. Damn, I actually forgot. My bad. Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine,” she said, shrugging as if breaking into my house was perfectly normal.

I leaned against the counter, still catching my breath. “So, tell me—why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be at the hospital?”

At that, her smile faded a little. She looked down at her hands. “Yeah… I took a break. I, uh…” She hesitated, swallowing hard. “I lost a child this morning. A patient. And I just… I couldn’t stay there. It was too much. So the doctor gave me some time off. Thought maybe being with you would make it hurt a little less.”

My chest tightened. I set the vase down and crossed over to her, pulling her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Amanda. I can’t even imagine what that must’ve felt like. But you’re one of the strongest people I know, okay? Don’t forget that.”

She sniffled against my shoulder, then gave a small laugh. “Strong, huh? I don’t feel it.”

I pulled back, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, if you’re not careful, I’ll make you come apply at Lysander’s office as the new second PA. Then Seraphina will die. Die of jealousy.”

Amanda’s eyes widened, then she burst out laughing. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“You’ll find out,” I teased, smirking. “But first, food. I’m starving.”

She grinned, lifting a pot lid. The rich aroma filled the air instantly—mac and cheese bubbling in the oven, baked until the top was golden and crisp, a pan of fried chicken resting on the stove, and cornbread cooling on the counter. My stomach growled on cue.

“Oh my God,” I groaned dramatically. “I could marry you for this alone.”

She laughed, pulling out plates and dishing up the food. The mac and cheese was creamy with a crunchy topping, the fried chicken crispy and golden, and the cornbread still warm and soft in the center.

She carried everything to the dining table, and soon we were both seated, stuffing our faces like we hadn’t eaten in weeks.

Between bites, I leaned back with a sigh. “You won’t believe what Seraphina tried today. She almost begged Lysander to fire me. Said I wasn’t fit to be his PA.”

Amanda nearly choked on her cornbread, laughing so hard she had to grab her water. “She really said that? Wow. She doesn’t even know you’re the real Katherina. If she did, she’d probably faint.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “Exactly. Imagine being that threatened by someone you think is a nobody. The jealousy is eating her alive. And you know what? She should be worried. Because let’s face it…” I gestured at myself with mock pride. “I look better than her.”

Amanda burst into another round of laughter, nearly spilling her drink.

We were still laughing over empty plates when a noise cut through the night—the low rumble of an engine pulling into the compound.

Amanda and I both froze.

“What the hell?” she muttered, glancing at me.

I stood, my chair scraping the floor, and crept toward the window. The headlights washed over the wall, then dimmed as the engine shut off.

I peeped through the curtain. My stomach flipped.

Ryan.

“What’s he doing here at this time?” I whispered, more to myself than Amanda.

She checked the clock on the wall, raising her brows. It was almost midnight.

I didn’t wait. I hurried to the door, unlocked it, and stepped outside into the cool night air. He was already climbing out of his car, his face tight, troubled.

“Yo, guy,” I called out, walking toward him. My voice carried that mix of concern and irritation I couldn’t hide. “Yo, man. What the hell are you doing here? Is everything alright?”

He shook his head, his jaw clenched. “No. Everything is not alright.”

The seriousness in his tone made my pulse quicken. “What do you mean?”

Ryan dug into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and shoved it at me. The screen glowed with a message. “This… this came in earlier. From Dr. Jude. Before he was found dead in his house tonight.”

My breath caught as my eyes scanned the message.

Tell Scarlett to leave. Seraphina is coming for her. I think she knows who she is.

For a moment, everything around me blurred. The night air felt heavier, colder. My grip on the phone trembled.

Amanda had followed me out, and she leaned over my shoulder to read. I heard her sharp intake of breath.

I looked at Ryan. He looked at me. Neither of us spoke for a long beat, our eyes wide, stunned.

“That… that can’t be true,” I whispered, almost to myself. “Seraphina can’t know. She can’t know I’m Katherina. That’s not possible. And how the hell would she even know about my plastic surgery doctor—Dr. Jude?”