Forced to be with the Billionaire

Chapter 2

Scarlett’s POV

I stared at my phone, my hands trembling uncontrollably as the words echoed in my mind. It couldn’t be true. There was no way it could be true.

The call had come from an unknown number, and I almost hadn’t picked up, annoyed that someone would bother me in the middle of my birthday party. But something had compelled me to answer. Now, I wished I hadn’t.

Charles is dead.

He was involved in an accident.

I couldn’t breathe. My chest tightened, and I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. I clutched the phone so hard my knuckles turned white. The room blurred around me, and I couldn’t process anything else. It was as if time had stopped.

My mind screamed in protest. No. No. Not Charles. Not the man who had been more than an uncle, more than a friend. Not the man who had promised me a special surprise tonight. Not the man who said he had something important to tell me. He couldn’t be gone.

My thoughts became a chaotic whirlwind, flashes of memories crashing through me like relentless waves. Charles had been there for as long as I could remember—always smiling, always full of life. My second father. My brother. My friend. My mentor. My family.

My entire body shook as I tried to breathe, but the air felt thick and suffocating. My mind fought to reject the reality that had just been thrust upon me. Charles, the one who promised he would always be there to protect me, was gone.

“No,” I whispered, my voice breaking. I dropped the phone, and it clattered against the hardwood floor, the sound barely registering in my ears. My heart was pounding so loud I couldn’t hear anything else.

My legs gave out, and I sank to the floor, tears spilling down my cheeks. My hands were cold, and I wrapped my arms around myself, desperate to hold onto something, anything, to keep myself from falling apart.

How could he be gone? How could he just… be gone?

The room spun as I choked back a sob. Memories flooded my mind—so many memories, each one sharper than the last.

I remembered how Charles would always hold my hand when I was little, guiding me as I took my wobbly first steps. He was there when I scraped my knee trying to ride my bike for the first time, his warm hands brushing away my tears as he whispered soothing words. He was there at every school play, cheering louder than anyone else, his applause echoing in my ears.

He was there when I lost my first pet, telling me it was okay to cry and that feeling sad didn’t make me weak. He was there during my awkward teenage years, listening patiently when I complained about how no one understood me. He would just smile, ruffle my hair, and say, “The world’s a confusing place, Scarlett. But I promise you, you’ll always have me.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, clutching my head as the pain became unbearable. How could the universe be so cruel? How could fate take away the one person who had been my constant, my rock, through everything?

He had been there even before I was born—he used to tell me that proudly, like it was his greatest achievement. He would tease me about how he’d paced back and forth outside the delivery room, more anxious than my own father. I used to laugh at the exaggerated way he told the story, but now the memory just hurt.

Why?

The door burst open, and my mother rushed in, her face pale and filled with worry. “Scarlett! What happened? Why are you on the floor?”

I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t look at her. I didn’t know how to say it out loud. If I said it, it would become real.

My mother dropped to her knees beside me, cupping my face gently. “Sweetheart, talk to me. What’s going on?”

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice, but it came out broken and weak. “He’s… he’s dead.”

“Who?”

“Charles,” I whispered, and the word felt like poison on my tongue. “They said… Charles is dead.”

My mother’s hands froze, and for a moment, I saw something flicker across her face—something I couldn’t understand. She pulled me into a tight hug, stroking my hair, but I couldn’t feel any comfort.

Jasmine appeared at the door, her eyes wide. “What’s going on?”

“Charles is gone,” I choked out, barely able to breathe. Jasmine’s face fell, but there was something odd—like the sadness didn’t quite fit.

Then my father, David, walked in, and I looked up, expecting the same shock. But his face was a mix of tension and something else I couldn’t identify. His eyes darted between me and my mother, and I felt a pang of confusion.

“He’s really gone?” Jasmine whispered, her voice unsure.

My father cleared his throat, but his response was hesitant. “Scarlett… we don’t know for sure.”

My heart clenched. “What do you mean you don’t know? They told me! They called and said he’s gone! Why are you acting like it doesn’t matter?”

“Calm down,” my father said softly, but it felt so wrong. Charles was gone, and they wanted me to be calm?

“I can’t go on with the party,” I sobbed. “I just can’t. How can I celebrate when he’s dead?”

My mother glanced at my father, and he nodded, his face still unreadable. “We’ve spent a lot on this, Scarlett. We can’t just… cancel.”

I stared at him, feeling betrayed. “You still want to have the party? After this?”

David’s jaw tightened. “With or without you, it has to go on. We can’t just send everyone home.”

My whole world crumbled. These people, my family—the ones who raised me to be compassionate and caring—they wanted to continue the celebration. They wanted to dance and drink and laugh while Charles’s body was probably still warm.

“I can’t believe you,” I whispered. “You’re heartless.”

Without another word, I ran out. I didn’t know where I was going, but I couldn’t stay there. I ran through the garden, past the glowing lanterns and the sound of music drifting from the house.

My feet finally gave out near the park down the street. I collapsed onto a bench, sobbing uncontrollably.

Then, a shadow fell over me, and I looked up to see Jasper Carrington, his piercing blue eyes filled with concern.

“Scarlett?” he said, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it.

I wiped my face, trying to hide my tears. He shouldn’t see me like this. I couldn’t handle being vulnerable in front of him—the man I’d loved from a distance for so long.

But when he knelt down, his hand resting gently on my shoulder, the dam broke again. I leaned into him, unable to hold back the sobs.

And for the first time, Jasper didn’t pull away. He didn’t brush me off or act like I was just his fiancée’s kid sister. He stayed.

And right now, that was everything.

Jasper’s steady presence was the only thing keeping me from crumbling completely. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since I’d first collapsed against him, but my tears had finally subsided, leaving me feeling drained and hollow.

Just when I thought I could gather myself, the sound of a car approaching caught my attention. I glanced up, wiping my cheeks quickly, and saw Edward stepping out. Relief flashed across his face, but it quickly shifted to confusion when his gaze landed on Jasper and me.

“Scarlett! There you are,” Edward breathed, hurrying over. Then, as if remembering himself, he cleared his throat and addressed Jasper respectfully, his posture straightening. “Good evening, Mr. Carrington.”

Jasper gave a curt nod. “Edward.” His tone was calm but held a hint of authority, making it clear he wasn’t just a concerned bystander but Edward’s superior.

Edward hesitated, clearly unsure of how to react to the unexpected scene. His eyes darted between me and Jasper, concern etched on his face. “Scarlett, your mom and dad are worried. They’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

I couldn’t even meet his gaze. I wasn’t ready to go back to that house, to the party that shouldn’t be happening, to the people celebrating when the man I saw as family was dead.

Jasper didn’t move, his hand still resting lightly on my shoulder. “She needed some air,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Edward nodded, but his confusion remained. He looked at me again, his expression softening. “Scarlett, please… Your dad sent me to find you. He’s… really worried.”

Something about the way he said it made me look up. “Worried?” I repeated, my voice sounding small. Why would Dad be worried? He seemed more concerned about keeping the party going than acknowledging that Charles was gone.

Edward nodded slowly, glancing briefly at Jasper as if seeking permission to continue. Jasper gave a subtle nod, and Edward took a deep breath. “Yeah. He seemed… uneasy. Like something was wrong. He told me to bring you back immediately.”

I frowned, confusion mixing with my grief. “Why? What’s going on?”

Edward hesitated again, clearly uncomfortable discussing family matters in front of his boss. Jasper seemed to pick up on it and spoke up. “If it’s urgent, you should take her home, Edward.”

I looked between them, my stomach twisting with unease. Why would Dad be acting strange now? What was going on back at the house?

Just as Edward was about to respond, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his face paled. He turned to me, eyes wide. “It’s your dad. He’s been calling nonstop. I think you should answer.”

I hesitated, fear prickling at the back of my mind. I took the phone from Edward, my hands trembling, and put it to my ear. “Dad?”

There was a pause on the other end, just long enough to make my heart race. Then his voice came through, low and urgent. “Scarlett, where are you?”

“I… I just needed some air,” I whispered, unsure why I felt guilty.

“Listen to me,” Dad said, his tone harsher than usual. “Come home. Now. Do you hear me? No detours. No distractions. Just come straight home.”

“Dad, what’s going on?” I asked, fear tightening my throat.

He didn’t answer right away. When he spoke again, his voice was clipped and strained. “I don’t have time to explain. Just get back here. And Scarlett… don’t trust anyone. Understand?”

A chill shot through me, and I looked at Jasper instinctively, but he was watching me with that same calm, unreadable expression.

“Dad, you’re scaring me,” I whispered.

“Just do as I say!” he barked, making me flinch. Then the line went dead.