Beneath the Crimson Mistletoe

Chapter 8: The Gathering Storm

Scarlett woke the next morning to sunlight streaming through the heavy drapes of her room at the Harrington estate. For a moment, she let herself enjoy the quiet, pretending the weight of her father’s will and the looming cruise didn’t exist. But reality hit hard when her gaze landed on the suitcase in the corner, half-packed with her and Lila’s things.

Today was the day they would board the Aria.

Scarlett sighed, slipping out of bed as quietly as possible to avoid waking Lila, who was still sprawled across the bed, clutching her stuffed rabbit.

Padding over to the mirror, she stared at her reflection, the red mark on her cheek from James’s slap having faded to a faint outline. Her father’s final wishes had forced her into a whirlwind of family drama, but the bruise wasn’t just physical—it was a reminder of the chaos still waiting to unfold.

Scarlett found Daniel seated at the long dining table downstairs, sipping coffee while scrolling through his phone.

“Morning,” he greeted without looking up.

“Morning.” Scarlett poured herself a cup of tea and hesitated before sitting. “Where’s Mum?”

“In her study,” Daniel said, lowering his phone. “Probably still fuming about the will.”

Scarlett smirked despite herself. “That makes two of us.”

Daniel chuckled softly, but his expression grew serious. “Scarlett, I think this cruise is more than just a final gesture from Dad. He always had a way of planning for things we couldn’t see coming.”

Scarlett frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” Daniel admitted, leaning back in his chair. “But the way he worded things… ‘uncover truths,’ bringing all these people together. He was trying to tell us something, even if we don’t know what it is yet.”

Scarlett stirred her tea absentmindedly, her thoughts drifting. Her father’s penchant for secrecy had always been a source of frustration, and now it seemed he’d left them with one final puzzle.

“By the way,” Daniel added, breaking the silence, “Ethan stopped this morning. He said he would be coming on the cruise.”

Scarlett’s stomach twisted. Of course, Ethan would be there. It wasn’t like her life wasn’t complicated enough already.

By midday, the Harrington estate was a flurry of activity. Lila ran circles around the grand foyer, her laughter echoing off the marble floors, while Margaret stood by the door, her arms crossed and a cold expression.

“You’re taking the child on a cruise ship?” Margaret asked, her tone dripping with disapproval.

“Yes, Mother,” Scarlett replied, zipping up Lila’s small suitcase. “She’ll be fine. It’s a family gathering, not a war zone.”

Margaret sniffed. “A ship is no place for a child, Scarlett. But, of course, you never listen to reason.”

Scarlett bit back a retort. There was no point in arguing with her mother—not when every conversation felt like walking into a battlefield.

As Scarlett turned to leave, Margaret surprised her by reaching out and placing a hand on her arm.

“Scarlett,” she said quietly, her usual sharpness replaced by something softer. “Be careful. There’s more going on than you realise.”

Scarlett blinked, caught off guard by the rare display of concern. Before she could respond, Margaret pulled her hand away and disappeared into the shadows of the house.

The Aria was breathtaking. Scarlett stood on the edge of the dock, Lila at her side, and stared at the towering cruise ship. Gleaming white with gold accents, the vessel looked like something out of a dream. The name Aria was etched elegantly along the side, and staff bustled along the gangplank, preparing for the guests.

“Is this where we’re going, Mummy?” Lila asked, her wide eyes filled with wonder.

“Yes, sweetheart,” Scarlett said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “This is where we’re going.”

As they approached the gangplank, a member of the crew greeted them warmly and guided them aboard. Scarlett’s unease grew with every step.

The grandeur of the ship was overwhelming, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking into something much bigger than a simple family and friendly gathering.

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion outside. Scarlett stepped out into the hallway to find a crowd of staff members hurriedly moving toward the dining hall. Curious, she followed, with Ethan close behind.

Inside the dining hall, a man was arguing loudly with a crew member. Scarlett’s heart sank when she recognised him. James.

“What is he doing here?” she whispered, her grip tightening on Ethan’s arm.

Ethan’s jaw clenched. “Your father must have invited him.”

Scarlett wanted to scream. Of course, James would find a way to ruin this too. She turned to leave before he could spot her, but it was too late. James’s gaze locked onto hers, and a smug smile spread across his face.

“Scarlett,” he called, his voice dripping with mock warmth. “What a surprise.”

Ethan stepped in front of her, his posture protective. “You don’t belong here, James.”

James ignored him, his focus solely on Scarlett. “I think we need to have a little chat, don’t you?”

Scarlett shook her head, her pulse racing. “Not now, James. Not ever.”

Back in her suite, Scarlett paced nervously while Lila napped in the next room. The sight of James had rattled her more than she cared to admit.

Why had her father invited him? And what could he possibly want?

Ethan remained with her, sitting on the couch and watching her with quiet concern.

“Scarlett,” he said finally, “you need to be careful around him. He’s dangerous.”

“I know,” Scarlett replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I can’t just hide. Not anymore.”

Ethan nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Then you won’t face him alone.”

Scarlett met his eyes, her walls crumbling further.

"Ethan, were you on the guest list or did Daniel invite you? And one more thing, I told James that you were my boyfriend. So, he might make things difficult for you."

"I was on the guest list. I don't know why your father invited me. I can handle a man like James. You don't need to worry about that. I hope this cruise doesn't change our lives very much." Ethan gave a small smile.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the ocean in hues of gold and crimson, Scarlett stood on the deck, her thoughts a whirlwind. The first night of the cruise was about to begin, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was only the calm before the storm.

Her father’s will had brought her here, but what lay ahead was anyone’s guess. The secrets, the dangers, the truths—whatever they were, Scarlett knew she had to face them head-on.

And as the ship set sail into the unknown, she couldn’t help but wonder if this was the beginning of the end—or the start of something entirely new.